Fifth Street Architecture derives its name from a street that now only lives in the memories and imaginations of those who may remember it. The Fifth Street of Newburgh is not unique to this Hudson Valley City but exists throughout our urban, cultural, and racial history in cities throughout the United States. It was a street that ran perpendicular to the Hudson River and climbed steeply up the hillside. Historic photos show a quiet cobblestone street with bluestone sidewalks, lined with modest brick, stone and wood framed homes stepping up the slope from the retail thoroughfare of Water Street. In the late 1960’s, under the guise of urban ‘renewal’ streets like this were removed from the map of cities. At Fifth Street Architecture, we use this history to both acknowledge a historic mistake but also use it as a foundation to inspire us to imagine building a better and more beautiful future, one that is more fair and equitable. By helping to rebuild and restore the old, we can honor those that came before us but can also help us chart a path for the future.  It is in the memory of the past we must find hope to build the future. 

Always fascinated by cities, after receiving his Architecture degree from Syracuse University, Chris Berg earned his postgraduate degree in the Housing and Urbanism Department at the Architectural Association in London with an emphasis on housing and urban reconstruction in post-war Europe. He has been involved in housing and planning ever since returning to New York in the 1990’s. 

Since 1999, Chris has led an office in lower Manhattan and then in the Hudson Valley, most recently with Berg + Moss Architects where they designed or restored over 100 buildings and 500 units of housing in Newburgh alone. At Fifth Street Architecture, the team continues to focus on housing and community driven projects as well as in the fields of hospitality, retail, restaurants, education and the film industry throughout the Hudson Valley and northeast.