Iconic symbol of Brooklyn’s industrial heritage approved as City landmark. On September 25, 2007, Landmarks voted unanimously to designate three buildings within the former Domino Sugar Processing Plant, located along the East River in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The three round arch-style brick buildings, the largest of which measures 13 stories high, date back to the 1880s. The plant produced sugar until the 1970s. After Domino closed the site in 2004, CPC Resources purchased the plant with the intention of converting it into a major mixed-use development that would include 2.6 million sq.ft. of residential space. City Planning held a hearing on the draft scope of an environmental impact statement for the proposed development on July 31, 2007. 4 CityLand 107 (Aug. 15, 2007).
wide public support. At its public hearing last June, representatives from the Municipal Arts Society, Landmarks Conservancy, and the Victorian Society of America all testified in support of designation. Other speakers requested that Landmarks consider designating the large yellow neon Domino sign, even though it was not on the agenda. 4 CityLand 93 (July 15, 2007).
At the vote, Landmarks Chair Robert B. Tierney remarked that the buildings are the most historically, architecturally, and culturally distinctive structures on the site. With the designation, Landmarks must now approve any construction plans for the buildings. The historic “Domino Sugar” sign, however, remains undesignated and, as such, any work done to it would not require Landmarks’ prior approval.
LPC: Former Domino Sugar Processing Plant, 293 Kent Avenue (LP-2267) (Sept. 25, 2007).