Rendering of proposed residential building at 55 Pearl St. Image Credit: Alloy Development.

Commissioners praised design of project composed of five residential townhouses, but asked to see further refinements before voting to approve. On February 5, 2013, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a hearing on a proposal to demolish a one-story garage building, and construct a new residential development at 55 Pearl Street. The site is at the corner of Water Street in Brooklyn’s DUMBO Historic District. The heavily modified garage building is thought to have been constructed in the early 20th century by the John W. Masury & Son company, a prominent paint manufacturer. The proposed building would rise to five stories, with an additional floor-height parapet to conceal a penthouse.

Architect Jared Della Valle, of Alloy Development, presented the plan and noted that it was significantly smaller in height and floor area than what was allowable as-of-right. The new building would be composed of five individually-owned townhouses with separate entrances. There would be no indication of the distinct properties on the upper stories. Della Valle stated that the proposal sought to create “a happy marriage” between context and economic viability. An alley would be visible above the first floor of the building on Pearl Street, which would provide parking for residents. Della Valle noted that this was consistent with the “slot alleys” common to the formerly industrial neighborhood.

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Image: Courtesy of GreenbergFarrow

Toll Brothers will build 67-unit project on vacant lot formerly occupied by factory building. On April 20, 2010, Landmarks approved Toll Brothers’ proposed 67-unit residential complex at 205 Water Street in Brooklyn’s DUMBO Historic District. The vacant lot fronts Water and Plymouth Streets and was formerly occupied by a factory last used by the Brillo Company. The building was demolished shortly before the district’s 2007 designation. A 2009 rezoning opened the industrial area up to as-of-right residential and commercial development. 6 CityLand 104 (Aug. 15, 2009).

At the hearing, attorney Valerie Campbell, representing Toll Brothers pointed out that the project conformed to the lot’s split M1-4/R8A and M1-4/R7A zoning. GreenbergFarrow architect Navid Maqami described the building’s design. Maqami said he drew inspiration from the varying street wall heights of the area’s architecture, as well as from the rusted metal, cobblestones, and concrete materials that characterize the neighborhood. He explained that the building reached 80 feet along Water Street and rose to 97 feet on the Plymouth Street frontage. A two-story tower would rise above the rest of the building, with a portion cantilevered slightly over Plymouth Street. The building would be faced primarily with castin- place concrete, and its base and entrance would be built with CorTen steel, which forms a rust-like patina as it ages. (more…)

DUMBO Rezoning, Proposed Zoning used with permission of the New York City Department of City Planning. All rights reserved.

Residential conversion of buildings east of Manhattan Bridge now as-of-right. On July 29, 2009, the City Council rezoned a 12-block area of former manufacturing loft buildings located east of the Manhattan Bridge along Brooklyn’s waterfront in DUMBO. This approval adds to several private- and City-initiated DUMBO rezoning plans, and extends the area allowing as-of-right residential conversions from the blocks between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges to the 12 blocks east of the Manhattan Bridge.

The rezoned area closely corresponds to the DUMBO Historic District and is generally bounded by the Manhattan Bridge to the west, Bridge Street to the east, John Street and the East River to the north, and Front Street to the south.

Planning proposed replacing the area’s M1-2 and M3-1 manufacturing districts with M1-4/R8A and M1-4/R7A contextual zoning districts to promote new mixed-use construction. The new zoning allows as-of-right residential and community facility uses while continuing to permit light manufacturing uses. The plan applies the M1-4/R8A district, allowing greater density and asof- right floor area, to the blocks closest to the Manhattan Bridge. It applies the lower-density M1-4/R7A district 150 feet east of Jay Street to the blocks closest to the low-density residential area of Vinegar Hill. (more…)

Opponents concerned that development would alter views of the bridge. On March 4, 2009, the City Planning Commission heard testimony on Two Trees Management Company’s plan to build a mixed-use development at 10 Dock Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Two Trees had previously submitted a proposal in 2004 to develop a portion of the site with a 16-story apartment building, but withdrew the plan prior to the final vote in the City Council. Many attributed the withdrawal to mounting opposition from the community and elected officials. Two Trees later purchased additional land and submitted the current proposal, known as Dock Street DUMBO, which shifts some of the original proposal’s height away from Water Street.

Bounded by Dock, Water, and Front Streets, the building would be located on a 45,000 sq.ft. site adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge. The project would include approximately 323 residential units, a 300-seat public middle school, a 465-space parking garage, and a 12,733-sq.ft. retail space. The building’s tallest section would be approximately 183 ft. in height, and the section closest to the bridge would be nine stories. To facilitate the proposed development, Two Trees submitted applications for a map amendment that would create an MX-2 special mixed-use district and rezone about a half-block from M1-2 to M1-2/R8, and for special permits waiving height, setback, and rear yard requirements. (more…)

Proposed DUMBO Historic District. Map: LPC.

Local elected officials behind push for designation. On December 18, 2007, Landmarks voted to designate a portion of the DUMBO area as an historic district. DUMBO, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, served as a center for American manufacturing beginning in the 19th century. The architecture of its industrial buildings range in materials from brick and timber to reinforced concrete. In the 1970s, young artists began moving to the area and converting the buildings into lofts and studios.

At the October 30th public hearing, several elected officials, including City Council Member David Yassky, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and representatives for Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and State Senator Martin Connor, joined local residents and supported designation. 4 CityLand 157 (Nov. 15, 2007). (more…)