Crystal Window Strengthens Leadership with Appointment of New Chief Information Officer
QUEENS, NY – August 8, 2025 – National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Daniel Gonzalez as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO). Mr. Gonzalez joins a leadership team led by Chairman and Founder Thomas Chen, CEO Jeffrey Smith, President Steve Chen, and CFO John P. Christie. In his role as CIO, Mr. Gonzalez will oversee all IT applications and infrastructure across Crystal’s facilities—including its subsidiaries—to drive operational efficiencies and support technology-driven manufacturing. Reporting directly to the CFO, he will lead efforts to align systems across sales, production, delivery, and administrative functions like financial accounting and reporting. This streamlined approach aims to offer real-time information access and consistency for both strategic and operational decision-making. Prior to joining Crystal, Mr. Gonzalez served as Global Vice President of IT at international packaging company Truvant, where he directed ERP implementation across North American locations. His career also includes senior IT roles at Jeld-Wen, overseeing technology for over 60 facilities across North and South America, and as Senior IT Manager at Republic Elite Industries in Texas, managing IT operations and ERP rollout. “By creating a cohesive technology roadmap for Crystal, we anticipate significant gains in efficiency and cost savings,” said Gonzalez. “Our investments in next-generation technology and automation will not only streamline operations but also enhance the customer experience by making the delivery of our quality products more seamless and timely.” “Daniel brings exceptional expertise in IT leadership within manufacturing environments and has a proven record of implementing transformative, enterprise-wide technology projects,” commented John P. Christie, CFO of Crystal Windows & Doors. “His strategic vision for a unified IT infrastructure will further our commitment to operational excellence and continued growth.” About Crystal Window & Door Systems Founded in Queens, New York, Crystal Window & Door Systems is a leading U.S. manufacturer of windows and doors, with state-of-the-art facilities located in Queens, NY; Benton, PA; Chicago, IL; St. Louis, MO; and Riverside, CA. The company produces a comprehensive range of high-quality window and door products, with a national reputation for craftsmanship and innovation.
Crystal Windows Celebrates 35th Anniversary
QUEENS, NY, May 12, 2025 – National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems is marking its 35th anniversary since the company started. The company was founded by Taiwanese-American immigrant Thomas Chen, who came to the United States at 27, speaking no English and with no formal education beyond high school. After spending his first few years here working for others in a variety of jobs, Chen launched Crystal Windows in a small commercial garage in Queens, NY, in 1990, and the rest is history. Today Crystal Windows has over one million square feet of production space in five major factories across the country and employs more than 750 workers. “I started Crystal Windows because I believed home and building owners deserved a quality replacement window that was affordable and would last,” said Chen. “Today our team continues that tradition, designing and producing a broad array of new products that meet today’s stringent energy codes and deliver high quality, all in the most cost-effective manner.” The first event commemorating the 35th anniversary this year was held on Saturday, May 3, for Crystal employees, their families, and other guests. Approximately 800 people attended a celebratory gala in Queens, featuring music, dancing, and a traditional multi-course Asian banquet. Several elected officials also attended to congratulate Crystal on its achievements, and New York Governor Hochul’s Regional Director Aaron Ambrose presented a citation of accomplishment to Crystal Chairman Thomas Chen and CEO Jeffrey Smith. Crystal’s original product line consisted of a simple aluminum replacement window for the New York City apartment house market. Today, Crystal offers over 25 lines of vinyl, aluminum, and uPVC commercial vinyl windows and doors for residential and commercial applications all over the nation. Already extruding vinyl window components in-house, the company vertically integrated further in 2003 with the purchase and expansion of its Union, MO, aluminum profile extruder Gateway Extrusions. Besides launching three additional window production facilities, Crystal has also expanded its in-house engineering, design consulting, product testing, and field services to meet the demands of complex new construction projects requiring custom solutions. Crystal has supplied its quality products for some of the most notable projects across the country, including: the historic OMNI Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC; the expansive city-within-a-city development Harbor Point in Stamford, CT; top security Point Loma Naval Base in San Diego, CA; hotel chains Marriott, Holiday Inn, and Hyatt; and universities in New York, Florida, Michigan, Texas, and Missouri. “Crystal has a long history of strong growth for more than three decades and the company shows no signs of stopping,” said CEO Jeffrey Smith. “There are many new products in development, and plans are underway for new production facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and in North Carolina. These new products and plants will help Crystal meet its future growth in exciting new markets.” Crystal Window & Door Systems is one of the top 30 manufacturers in North America of replacement and new construction vinyl, uPVC, and aluminum window and door products and high-end fenestration systems. Crystal offers a broad product line, rapid order-to-delivery times, quality workmanship, innovative product features, outstanding value, and an experienced and knowledgeable staff. Headquartered in New York, the company operates a network of factories, branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates in California, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Toronto (ON). For further information about Crystal and its products, call 718-961-7300, or visit the website at www.crystalwindows.com.
Crystal Windows Add Style to New Nashville Development
QUEENS, NY, April 24, 2025 – National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems recently completed supplying over 2,500 energy efficient windows and doors for a large modern new mixed use residential development in Nashville, TN. Crystal supplied state-of-the-art commercial uPVC vinyl tilt-and-turn and fixed windows as well as uPVC swing terrace and sliding patio doors. Located at 622 Merritt Avenue, The Finery totals 415,000-ft2 and consists of 3 distinct 5- and 6-story buildings plus an adjoining parking garage. The buildings are interconnected by upper floor crossover bridges and at ground level by an open-air pedestrian plaza. The buildings maintain their individual modern post-industrial characters through the use of three very different façade styles – colorful corrugated metal, diagonally seamed metal panels, and traditional dark brick. The buildings’ apartments offer numerous balconies extending from the facades. Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride or uPVC has been a common window and door frame material in Europe for decades. Now uPVC is growing in popularity in America since it offers strength similar to aluminum frames with the superior thermal efficiency and sound attenuation of traditional vinyl windows. “As one of the national leaders in uPVC window fabrication, Crystal is seeing increasing demand for our MAGNUS commercial uPVC windows in all types of mid- and high-rise projects, as they provide exceptional comfort for residents of multifamily properties,” said Papo Perez, Crystal Branch Manager and project leader for The Finery. “It is great to have owners, GCs, and architects in Nashville and in all major markets across the country embrace this superior fenestration material.” The Finery project relied heavily on the Crystal MAGNUS 4500 dual action tilt-and-turn and fixed picture windows. Over 2,100 of these operating and fixed window panels were used to fill 817 building openings, mostly in large floor-to-ceiling combinations. In a few openings, a large 9-panel fixed arrangement spanned an opening 132” wide by 96” tall. The Crystal MAGNUS 4500 dual action tilt-and-turn window offers both in-swing casement and tilt-in at the top operations. This uPVC window is rated CW-PG95/AW-PG70 and for this project was thermally rated at U=0.29. The MAGNUS 4500 features multi-point locks, top quality European-styled hardware, sash perimeter compression seal technology, and opening limit safety devices. The Crystal MAGNUS fixed window is also rated AW-PG70. Both styles were specified with the 3-¼” frame option. For access to balconies and terraces, the Nashville residential development used 344 Crystal MAGNUS 4500 uPVC swing doors and 44 Crystal MAGNUS 2150 uPVC sliding doors. The Crystal MAGNUS 4500 terrace door features a 3-¼” jamb depth, strong multi-chamber reinforced frame and sash, compression seals, multi-point locking and 3’ x 8’ custom sizing. A number of the Crystal swing doors were combined with large adjoining windows to create expansive multiple units, some up to 140” in width. Many of the Crystal MAGNUS 4500 out-swing terrace doors for ADA compliant apartments were specified with a low sill option. The out-swing door is rated LC-PG80. The Crystal MAGNUS 2150 uPVC 2-panel sliding doors have a 4-9∕16” jamb depth and feature a durable locking handle and dual steel rollers for easy operation. The custom sized sliding doors ranged in width from 72” to 96”. Some sliding doors were combined with adjoining side and transom windows to span even larger openings for grander views. All the Crystal windows and doors on The Finery buildings used 1” dual-pane insulated glass units (IGUs). To enhance thermal performance, Vitro Solarban 60 low-E glass with argon gas filling was specified. Where required by code or safety, tempered glass was used.
DC Development Showcases Vast Crystal Capabilities
QUEENS, NY, April 2, 2025 – Virtually the entire Crystal Window & Door Systems aluminum product line is on display at a recently opened Washington, DC, mixed-use multi-family development. The large upscale development used 14 models and styles of energy efficient windows and doors supplied by the award-winning manufacturer. Crystal provided 2,364 commercial and architectural windows and 433 commercial and architectural sliding and swing doors with sidelights for a total of 2,797 units. Located at 4000 Wisconsin Avenue, in the Northwest section of Washington, DC, the massive new development known as Upton Place fills an entire city block. The five-story structure is situated around the perimeter of the block, with two crossover connector wings, creating three interior courtyard spaces. The top four floors are apartments while the ground floor is reserved for retail. To maintain visually appealing aesthetics, numerous façade designs and materials were used. Complementing these façade designs are the array of Crystal windows and doors. Virtually all of Crystal windows for the project were combined into large horizontal and vertical arrangements, with operating and fixed units spanning extensive openings. Twin and triple window units were common, and in some cases, grand 4-, 6-, and 9-panel units were erected in openings up to 140” wide and 111” tall. The combinations of the windows in all instances provide Upton Place residents with outstanding views. It’s a glowing testament to Crystal Windows that the numerous fenestration needs of this large project were able to be fulfilled by one manufacturer,” said Kevin Lechwar, Crystal Mid-Atlantic Regional Sales Manager. “Crystal prides itself in having an extensive vinyl and aluminum product line suitable for nearly every type of building. The Upton Place project clearly demonstrates those capabilities.” For the project, Crystal supplied three window models from its popular 3-¼” frame depth aluminum commercial Series 2000 line. The Series 2000A double-hung window was specified in single, double, and triple unit styles. This tilting sash window is CW-PG50 rated. The Series 2100 fixed picture window with a CW-PG65 rating was furnished in 2- and 3-unit configurations and the Series 2300 sliding window with a CW-PG50 rating was furnished in 2- and 3-light styles. The Upton Place project also drew upon the Crystal aluminum heavy-commercial 3-¼” frame depth Series 5000 window line. Substantial numbers of Series 5600 2-light sliding windows and Series 5100 fixed picture windows were used individually or in large, combined assemblies. The Crystal Series 5600 sliding window has an AW-PG40 rating, and the Series 5100 fixed picture window has an AW-PG100 rating. The final heavy-commercial window line tapped for the new development was the high-end Crystal Series 8500 in several 2-⅝” jamb models: Series 8500 outswing casements, Series 8510 fixed picture windows and Series 8520 project-out awning windows. These windows are rated AW-PG70, AW-PG85, and AW-PG80, respectively. Also sourced from this line were the 3-¼” jamb companion Series 8610 fixed picture and Series 8630 project-in hopper windows. Upton Place featured just over 300 of the Crystal aluminum Series 1240 2-panel sliding patio door and matching transom/sidelight Series 1270. Used in large, combined arrangements, these sliding door, sidelight, and transom combinations were as wide as 91” and as tall as 139”. These 4-9∕16” jamb units are rated LC-PG45 and AW-PG75, respectively. Crystal also supplied heavy-commercial 3-¼” jamb Series 1450 outswing terrace doors and the award-winning counterpart Series 1450D, low-sill ADA-compliant terrace doors for Upton Place. Over 100 of the building’s apartments designated as specifically accommodating mobility challenged individuals utilized the Crystal Series 1450D door to provide access to terraces. The Series 1450 terrace door, rated AW-PG75, was frequently combined at this project with Series 5100 fixed picture windows as sidelights and transoms, with openings spanning up to a stunning 126” wide and 128” tall. Double insulated glass units (IGUs) were used throughout the project for all Crystal fenestration products. These units were specified with Vitro Solarban 60 low-E coated glass and argon gas filling for enhanced thermal efficiency. As required by code, sound attenuation, size, or safe practices, many of the IGUs also used tempered or laminated glass. STC requirements for the windows ranged from 28 to 35, depending on location in the building. All operating windows were fitted with sash limit opening devices. Two durable AAMA 2604 powder coat custom paint finishes were used for all windows and doors – Midnight Bronze and Velvet Gray. To facilitate installation and combining windows into large assemblies, Crystal offered a variety of options and accessories. Depending on specific products, Crystal supplied snap-on nailing fins, continuous master frames with imposts, H-mullions, 3-piece mullions, and subsills and receptors with nailing fins. With the Series 5600 and Series 5100 windows, a male/female self-mulling frame design aided installation. Upton Place was developed by Donohue Development of Bethesda, MD in partnership with AIMCO Investments of Washington, DC. The architect was SK+I Architecture, and the general contractor was Donohue Construction Company, both of Bethesda, MD. The fenestration installer, a long-time Crystal customer, was Caffes-Steele of Beltsville, MD. Crystal has worked with Caffes-Steele on many previous window projects, including Southern Towers Apartments of Alexandria, VA and the historic OMNI Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. Upton Place is a new luxury mixed-use development in the vibrant Cathedral Heights neighborhood of northwest Washington, DC. It features ground floor retail shops including a grocery store, interior courtyards with gathering spaces for outdoor dining, grilling, and socializing, a fitness and yoga studio, workspaces, a rooftop terrace and outdoor pool. The development offers 689 high-end residential units and over 800 on-site parking spaces. It is convenient for shopping, public transportation, beautiful parks, and walking trails.
Crystal Pacific Provides Great Views for San Diego Hotel
RIVERSIDE, CA, March 17, 2025 – Crystal Pacific Window & Door Systems, the west coast division of national manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems, recently supplied over 200 state-of-the art vinyl sliding glass patio doors for the San Diego Crowne Plaza Mission Valley Hotel. The new vinyl sliding doors replaced aging aluminum sliding doors and were part of a major renovation completed at the 8-story hotel. An interesting design feature of this hotel is that each guest room has no windows but rather a large 2- or 3-panel sliding patio door for light, ventilation, and access to individual balconies and terraces. “Crystal Pacific sliding patio doors offer great energy efficiency, durability, smooth operation, sound abatement, and easy installation frame and accessory options, perfect for this hotel and its busy location,” said Ed Watkins, Sales Manager. “Our MAGNUS commercial vinyl doors and our Buena Vista vinyl doors control the effects of the Southern California sun and keep guest rooms comfortable year-round. They are perfect for both renovation and new construction projects.” For the five upper floors of the hotel renovation, Crystal supplied 130 MAGNUS uPVC commercial vinyl Series 2150 2-panel sliding patio doors. The MAGNUS 2150 is a multi-chambered high-end product, offering superior strength, durability, and thermal efficiency. With the strength of aluminum and the energy efficiency of traditional vinyl, uPVC vinyl is a fenestration frame material widely used in Europe and rapidly being adopted in the USA. The Crystal MAGNUS Series 2150 sliding doors have a 4-9∕16” frame depth, internal sill drainage system, 1” insulated glass units (IGUs), and an LC-PG40 rating. For the San Diego hotel project, a retrofit frame with flush fin option was specified for a fast efficient installation that retained the original look of the building façade. All the MAGNUS doors were fabricated of standard white color extrusions and spanned large 94” wide by 78-½” high openings. For the first three floors, Crystal supplied 77 Buena Vista vinyl sliding doors. Four of these units were 3-panel sliding doors, for large 141” wide x 78” high openings. The remainder of the sliding doors were 2-panel models for 94” wide by 78-½” high openings. The ground floor doors permit access to the pool and sundeck areas. The Buena Vista sliding doors combine durability, functionality, and modern style, with a 5” frame depth, dual-point locking handles and internal multi-chambered design. Options for Crystal Buena Vista doors include a retrofit frame with flush fin and upgraded stainless steel quad roller assemblies. Like the MAGNUS doors, all the Buena Vista units were fabricated of standard white color extrusions. The Crystal sliding doors installed at the Crowne Plaza Mission Valley Hotel used 1” IGUs. For enhanced thermal performance and safety, the IGUs used dual-pane tempered Cardinal LoĒ3 366 glass with argon gas filling. Crystal Pacific has supplied several recent projects in San Diego including other hotels, medical institutions, and senior residences. The manufacturer is expanding throughout Arizona, Nevada, and northern California to supply those bustling new construction and renovation markets. The property manager for the Crowne Plaza Mission Valley Hotel is Brighton Management, located in Newport Beach, CA. A&C Windows and Doors, a long-term Crystal Pacific customer located in Murrieta, CA, was the dealer and fenestration installer for the project. The Crowne Plaza Mission Valley Hotel, built in 1959 and renovated several times since then, is located at 2270 Hotel Circle North just off the Mission Valley Freeway. It is adjacent to the Riverwalk Golf Club and convenient to many cultural and recreational sites in San Diego. The hotel has 419 guest rooms, on-site restaurants, conference and meeting rooms, pool and resort amenities, and a beautifully landscaped central courtyard.
Modern Maryland High-Rise Boasts Crystal Windows
– Almost 1,000 Windows and Doors Supplied for New Luxury Apartments – QUEENS, NY, November 26, 2024 – National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems supplied 935 of its premier window and door products for a newly completed luxury multifamily building in the Washington, DC suburb of Bethesda, MD. Located at 4909 Auburn Avenue, the modern building with ground floor retail rises 11 stories plus 2 penthouse floors for exclusive apartments. The wide variety of Crystal’s high-end windows, sliding doors, and glass swing doors provide the new occupants with outstanding floor-to-ceiling vistas, flawless operation, energy efficiency, and superior comfort. The 4909 Auburn Avenue building features an intriguing arrangement of tiered volumes with a unique textured grey brickface façade. The structure’s design blends beautifully with the urban landscape of Bethesda’s central business district on its eastern face, while on the western face the stepped down façade transitions into a tree-lined residential single-family home neighborhood. Adding to the building’s architectural interest is the use of numerous setbacks and 2-, 3-, and 4-story high recessed niches. The large Crystal window systems in multiple configurations complement the architectural aesthetic perfectly. “Crystal window products are created for easy combination in many arrangements, an advantage that the architect for 4909 Auburn incorporated into the façade design with great results,” said Kevin Lechwar, Crystal Mid-Atlantic Regional Sales Manager. “Not only does the tall and expansive glass add to the building’s dramatic façade, but residents enjoy spectacular views from the interior.” The 4909 Auburn project used seven different Crystal window and door models and styles. Most were arranged in large combinations of products using continuous master frames with imposts or mullion systems. All the windows and doors were finished in environmentally sustainable and durable AAMA 2604 bronze powder coat paint. Almost 800 of the Crystal products were drawn from the company’s top-tier architecturally rated Series 8500 aluminum line with 2-⅝” frame depth. The project specified single, double, triple, and quadruple configurations using the Crystal Series 8500 out-swing casement, Series 8510 fixed/picture and the Series 8520 project-out awning windows. The Series 8500 casement uses 4-bar stainless steel friction hinges and is AW-PG 70 rated. The Series 8510 fixed window is AW-PG 85 rated while the Series 8520 project-out window is AW-PG 80. The use of vertically stacked and horizontally ganged combinations of the Series 8500 line facilitated the spanning of large building openings including one 75” wide by 160” tall. Both the operating windows were fitted with 4” opening limit devices for safety. Seven complementary Crystal architecturally rated window and door products in multiple configurations were specified for the 4909 Auburn project, with matching installation accessories. Crystal also supplied its aluminum Series 1240 two-panel sliding door and accompanying Series 1270A sidelight and transom window. Both door and sidelight/transom have 4-9⁄16” thermally broken frames. The Series 1240 sliding door is structurally rated at LC-PG 45 while the Series 1270A has an outstanding AW-PG 75 rating. Typically arranged for this project in combinations, one vast configuration of sliding doors with sidelights and transoms spanned an opening of 160” wide by 118” tall. The final Crystal products specified for the 4909 Auburn project were a dozen aluminum Series 1460 in-swing terrace doors, most of which were paired with an aluminum Series 5100 fixed/picture window used as a transom. Both the Series 1460 terrace door and Series 5100 fixed/picture window have 3-¼” frame depths and are rated AW-PG 60 and AW-PG 100, respectively. The project’s windows and doors used either 1” or 1-¼” insulated glass units (IGUs), depending on the specific product. All the IGUs were fabricated with Vitro Solarban 60 low-E glass and argon gas filling. Where code required or aesthetically appropriate, some of the IGUs used tempered or spandrel glass. Crystal supplied an assortment of installation accessories. Structural, H-style, and 3-piece mullions were used for large window combinations. Facilitating installation in select openings were head receptors, subsills, and anchor clips. All exposed installation accessories were finished in AAMA 2604 bronze powder coat paint to match the window and door products. The architect for 4909 Auburn is Baltimore-based BCT Design Group, with collaboration from Shalom Baranes Associates of Washington, DC. The building owner is Auburn Building Associates, the general contractor is Donohoe Construction, and the fenestration installation firm is HiRise Windows, all of Bethesda, MD. HiRise Windows has partnered with Crystal on past projects in the Washington, DC area, including Southern Towers in Alexandria, VA. The 253,000 sq. ft. 4909 Auburn structure has 167 market rate rental apartments and 8,300 sq. ft. of ground floor retail space. The recessed façade niches and stepped tiered design provides some apartments with terraces, and there are four common green roof deck areas. Other amenities include a fitness and yoga center and spa, on-site parking, and easy walking access to both Battery Lane Urban Park and the vibrant downtown district of Bethesda.
New Indianapolis Project Sports Crystal Windows
QUEENS, NY, October 15, 2024 – Crystal Window & Door Systems proudly supplied the new 13-story luxury Industry Indianapolis mixed-use building with a variety of its leading energy efficient window and door products. Six different Crystal window and door products totaling 1,346 units were specified and installed at the new construction project located at 421 North Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis. Rising from a 4-story podium with retail, office, and parking, a 9-story tower of residential apartments offers glorious views from the floor-to-ceiling Crystal windows. “The combination window systems installed at Industry Indianapolis were complex and challenging,” said Frank Ganninger, Crystal Regional Sales Manager. “Our engineering and sales teams worked closely with the architect on the specifications, resulting in a magnificent window project delivering outstanding expansive views and superior energy efficiency.” The majority of the building’s window openings spanned floor-to-ceiling and used combinations of windows mulled together or in master frames fitted with impost components. To facilitate installation, all the windows and doors installed in building openings were specified with optional face flange frames. Openings as wide as 108” and as tall as 138” were fitted with Crystal window combinations. To meet delivery schedules, Crystal fabricated products at both its New York and Chicago production facilities. The Indianapolis project called for 453 combination arrangements of aluminum Crystal Series 8510 fixed and Series 8500 out-swing casement windows, all with the 3-¼” frame depth option and 1” glazing pocket. These heavy-duty windows boast narrow sightlines and outstanding structural ratings of AW-PG85 (Series 8510) and AW-PG70 (Series 8500). The out-swing casement uses a crank operator for opening and closing. Crystal fabricated 320 aluminum heavy-commercial Series 5600 sliding windows in both 2-lite and 3-lite versions for the new building. Part of Crystal’s heavy-commercial portfolio, this 3-¼” frame depth model delivers an AW-40 structural rating. Besides a 1” glazing pocket and heavy-duty extrusion, this sliding window offers continuous full-height sash clip lock pull rails and dual stainless-steel rollers and tracks for effortless operation. The final window model specified, for 438 units, was the aluminum Crystal Series 2100 fixed picture window. The narrow sightline mainstay of the Crystal product lineup has a 3-¼” frame, ⅞” glazing pocket, and a CW-PG65/CW-PG90 AAMA rating. To provide access to apartment balconies, Crystal also supplied 135 aluminum Series 1450D out-swing terrace doors with ADA compliant low sills. With a strong 3-¼” frame, AW-PG75 rating, multi-point lock system, and a 90° opening door stop device, the product is very suitable for high-rise applications. To these advantages, the door’s standard 1” insulated glass unit and advanced polyamide insulating strut design deliver enhanced thermal efficiencies. Industry Indianapolis windows and doors were glazed with either ⅞” or 1” double-pane insulated glass units (IGUs) depending on the window or door model. For energy efficiency, all the IGUs used Vitro low-E SB60 or SB70 glass with argon gas filling. For safety, tempered glass was specified where appropriate and code required. The Crystal casement and sliding windows were outfitted with opening limit devices. The large window combinations were achieved using Crystal 3-piece mullions for horizontally ganged units and H-mullions for vertically stacked arrangements. All windows, doors, and mullions were finished in an environmentally sustainable durable AAMA 2604 black or bronze powder coat paint. Partners for Industry Indianapolis include owner-developer Charles Street Investment of Denver Colorado; architect CSO Architecture of Indianapolis, IN; and general contractor Ruscilli Construction of Dublin, OH. This is the second major project Crystal has completed with Ruscilli Construction and the fourth project with owner-developer Charles Street Investment in recent years. Industry Indianapolis features 232 luxury market rate and workforce rate studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. The building provides 20,000 sq. ft. of retail and office space on lower levels, and includes an outdoor pool, a fitness center, bike storage, a parking garage, a courtyard with outdoor kitchen, and co-working spaces and an expansive resident club room. The new apartment building is located in the heart of Indianapolis’ historic Mass Avenue Cultural Arts and Commercial District. Revitalization of this neighborhood has been underway for several years and continues strongly. With art galleries, music venues, theaters, shops, and restaurants, as well as commercial businesses, Mass Avenue is one of the city’s most popular places in which to live and work.
Crystal Pacific Windows Bring Sunshine to Seniors
Crystal Pacific, the West Coast production operation of national manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems, recently supplied energy efficient vinyl Vista Series 4000 sliding, picture, and special shape windows for the new showcase development Levant Senior Cottages in San Diego. – Expansive Windows Provide Daylight and Energy Savings for New Senior Homes – RIVERSIDE, CA, June 11, 2024 – Crystal Pacific Window & Door Systems, the West Coast production affiliate of national manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems, recently supplied over 400 energy efficient vinyl windows for a new affordable housing community in San Diego, CA. Levant Senior Cottages, located at 6950 Levant Street in the Linda Vista neighborhood of San Diego, provide much needed homes for seniors in the area. The new Crystal Vista Series 4000 vinyl windows offer contemporary styling, are easily operated, and provide substantial daylighting and climate comfort for residents. “The affordable housing market is critically important and very active now, and Crystal’s quality energy efficient windows and doors are perfect for these projects,” said Steve Chen, President of Crystal Windows. “We are proud to supply affordable housing developments such as Levant Senior Cottages all across the country.” Crystal Pacific worked closely with the project architect and general contractor throughout the process, accommodating many design changes and weather delays in the construction schedule. Once installed, the windows were water tested and all configurations passed completely. The Crystal Vista 4000 is designed for superior energy performance, strength, and easy operation. The product line features a 3-¼” multi-chambered frame, ¾” glazing pocket, and narrow sightlines. For this project, Crystal supplied 164 Vista 4000 2-lite (plus a pair of 3-lite) sliding windows and 247 Vista 4000 picture windows. The sliding windows have interlocking sashes, weatherstripping, and cam-action locks for tight seals and large rollers for smooth operation. To add architectural interest and substantial interior daylight, Crystal also provided 286 Vista 4000 trapezoid shape fixed windows matching the roofline pitch. All window frames and sashes were extruded white vinyl. The Levant Senior Cottages Vista 4000 windows were all glazed with dual-pane tempered ¾” insulated glass units using Cardinal LoĒ3-366 coating, warm-edge spacing systems, and argon gas filling. These glass units provide extraordinary energy performance in the Southern California climate and sun. Providing design services for the project was RNT Architects of San Diego, CA, and Allgire Construction of Carlsbad, CA, was the project general contractor. Window installation was handled by JMI of Oceanside, CA, a major commercial fenestration contractor in the region. Levant Senior Cottages, which officially opened in May 2024, is situated on 4.5 acres of land owned by San Diego County, and it was developed with a public-private partnership as part of a larger initiative to repurpose excess county land. The new community offers an intriguing affordable response to the urgent need for senior housing. Levant Senior Cottages includes 127 studio and 1-bedroom units in 18 single-story 5-unit buildings and two elevator-serviced 2-story buildings. The complex includes a large community center, laundry facilities, courtyard gardens, and a small dog park. Medical and social services for eligible residents, provided by St. Paul’s Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), will also be available on site.
US Congressman Cartwright Visits Crystal Pennsylvania
Congressman Matt Cartwright recently visited Crystal Windows’ northeast Pennsylvania factory. Above: Congressman Cartwright (left) and Crystal Chairman Thomas Chen. – Manufacturer Welcomes Representative to Tour Northeast PA Production Facility – QUEENS, NY, May 17, 2024 – National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems recently welcomed US Congressman Matthew Cartwright of Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District to tour its northeast Pennsylvania production facility, located north of Scranton in Benton Township. As a business constituent in Congressman Cartwright’s district, Crystal was pleased to have the Representative meet its dedicated workforce in Pennsylvania and see its products and manufacturing equipment. Congressman Cartwright (left) and Crystal Chairman Thomas Chen. Below: Cartwright (left) and Plant Manager Mike DelPrete inspect insulated glass units. “Crystal was delighted that Congressman Cartwright could visit our facility in Benton Township and see firsthand the fabrication of our quality window and door products made by our skilled employees,” said Thomas Chen, Chairman. “Our team was proud to describe the window manufacturing and insulated glass assembly processes and answer his questions.” Crystal recently added several vinyl product lines to the roster of products fabricated at its northeast Pennsylvania factory, as well as expanded insulated glass unit assembly, including triple-pane units. The company also invested in several pieces of new equipment to accommodate these additional products and future planned products. During the visit with Congressman Cartwright, Crystal presented its general plans for further development on the property with additional production and warehouse space. Crystal’s Pennsylvania facility is currently a 336,000-ft2 building on a 226-acre site adjacent to Highway 81. Additional warehouse and production space will be needed as the company further integrates operations with Crystal’s New York factory and continues to add product lines to meet future demand. “I am glad that Congressman Cartwright and his team learned more about Crystal and our plans to continue to grow in northeast Pennsylvania,” said Chen. “We are proud to be part of the vibrant manufacturing community here in this district, and the understanding and support of elected officials is very important.”
Crystal Expands Operations at Northeast PA Facility
Crystal Window & Door Systems has expanded production operations at its northeast Pennsylvania factory, just north of Scranton, PA. Several product lines, new equipment, and IGU assembly capabilities have been added there recently, and finished products are shipped directly to customers and job sites. – Product Lines and Equipment Added to Meet Demand and Reduce Lead Times – QUEENS, NY, April 23, 2024 – National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems has expanded operations at its Northeast Pennsylvania facility outside of Scranton with the addition of several Crystal products to the lineup of products fabricated there. The expansion allows the company to keep up with demand and keep lead times short. Crystal Windows’ new construction Series 300 and Series 400 vinyl windows and the Series 1500 and Series 1600 vinyl sliding patio doors are all now fully assembled at the Scranton factory. These products join the Series 100 vinyl window line, popular with distributor stock programs, and the Series 1240 and 1280 aluminum patio doors already assembled there. “Crystal Pennsylvania is continuing to grow despite the current industry challenges,” said Steve Chen, President of Crystal Windows. “With our 336,000 square foot facility, we’ve capitalized on the space to add product lines and allow other Crystal plants to focus production on new heavy commercial products for regional markets.” Crystal Pennsylvania (Crystal PA) also has expanded its insulated glass unit (IGU) fabrication capabilities. The facility now can produce IGUs with several spacer systems, including GED Intercept and Edgetech SuperSpacer. Production of triple-pane IGUs has also ramped up significantly with increased market demand for greater energy efficiency. Crystal PA’s automated glass line features highly efficient GED and Billco advanced production equipment which can handle large glass panels. Most of the products fabricated at Crystal PA are shipped directly to job sites and customers throughout the Northeast, MidAtlantic, Southeast, and central MidWest regions, including major developments in Crystal’s newest markets in Texas, saving shipping costs and time. Longer distance shipments are handled by Crystal’s logistics partner JB Hunt. Shipments in the northeast region are usually handled by Crystal’s own truck fleet. Crystal plans to add more new equipment this year, including vinyl saws, welders, and corner cleaners with associated tooling to handle additional Crystal products. Building improvements, a new rooftop sign, and enhancements to employee break areas are also in the works. “The new equipment we have already added here recently has improved our operating efficiency and reduced lead times,” said Chen. “Further improvements this year will continue the trend, and it will allow us to satisfy demand even more effectively and improve deliveries to our customers.”
