CPC Resources Inc.’s New Domino project at the former Domino Sugar plant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Image Courtesy: Rafael Vinoly Architects.

Community coalition failed to stop 11-acre mixed-use development at Domino Sugar Refinery site along Williamsburg waterfront. CPC Resources proposed to develop a 2,200-unit mixed-use project on the Domino plant site. The 11.2-acre site includes two parcels of land. The first is located along the East River between Grand and South 5th Streets, bordered to the east by Kent Avenue. The second, smaller parcel is bounded by South 3rd and South 4th Streets and Wythe and Kent Avenues. The Domino Sugar Refinery Building, located at 292 Kent Avenue, was landmarked in 2007 and will be redeveloped by CPC Resources as part of the proposal. The plan will provide public waterfront access, ground floor retail space along Kent Avenue, underground parking, office space, and 2,200 residential units. CPC Resources promised to market 30 percent of the apartments as affordable housing. The site had been targeted for development since 2007 and the City approved CPC Resources’ plan in 2010. (more…)

Updated rendering of new proposed Domino redevelopment. Image courtesy of SHoP Architects.

Landmarks endorsed project with modifications that better displayed factory’s industrial character, and  historic sign and chimney. On January 14, 2014, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to issue Two Trees Management a Certificate of Appropriateness to convert the Domino Sugar Refinery for commercial and office use. The plan includes glass-and-steel additions on two roofs, demolition of non-historic accretions, and the creation of windows and balconies. The adaptive reuse of the former factory is part of a larger development on the Williamsburg waterfront approved by the City Council in 2010. Landmarks approved a proposal for the site in 2008, which would have converted the building to residential use.  The approved project was never realized and the developer sold the structure to Two Trees later that year. (more…)

Preservation and housing advocates squared off over development plan. On February 5, 2008, Landmarks held a public hearing regarding alterations and additions to the Domino Sugar Refinery complex, located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.

In 2007, the City designated three buildings at the complex. 4 CityLand 141 (Oct. 15, 2007). During the designation process, the owner of the property, Community Preservation Corporation, warned Landmarks that the buildings’ infrastructure would need extensive retrofitting in order to accommodate residential use. 4 CityLand 93 (July 15, 2007).

At the most recent hearing, the owner unveiled the designs for the complex, which include a five-story glass rooftop addition to the 124year-old refinery building, five 40story towers, and a waterfront esplanade. The total development would yield 2,200 residential units, 120,000 sq.ft. of retail space, 100,000 sq.ft. of community facility space, 1,500 parking spaces, and several acres of publicly accessible open space. Fred Bland of Beyer Blinder Belle, one of Community Preservation’s architects, characterized the project as a “21st century completion” of the buildings. (more…)

Community and preservationists comment on plan to construct 2.6 million sq.ft. of housing on former factory site. On July 31, 2007, City Planning held a public hearing on the draft scope of an environmental impact statement for the proposed transformation of the Domino Sugar Refinery into a large mixed-use development with 2.64 million sq.ft. of residential space, 120,000 sq.ft. of retail space, 100,000 sq.ft. of community facility space, and 1,450 below grade accessory parking spaces. The developer, Refinery Management LLC, a joint venture made up of Katan Group LLC and the Community Preservation Corporation, propose to make 30 percent of the residential space, or 660 units, affordable housing.

The site is located on the Brooklyn waterfront directly north of the Williamsburg Bridge. The developer plans to demolish most of the buildings on the site to make way for the new development. The plan would, however, adaptively reuse the Refinery building. Comprised of the Filter, Pan, and Finishing Houses, the Refinery is currently under consideration for landmark status. On June 26, 2007, Landmarks held a public hearing on the designation but has not yet set a date for a vote. 4 CityLand 95 (July 15, 2007). If designated, Landmarks would need to approve any construction plan for the designated buildings. (more…)