Archinect - News

BIG and WXY propose public realm improvements for Downtown Brooklyn

2019-12-27T16:29:00-05:00

A new plan by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership—a consortium of three business improvement districts—seeks to make room for all of those people by curtailing car access and installing protected bike lanes, colorful street furniture, and monumental gathering spaces.

Despite rapid population growth, Downtown Brooklyn seems to be missing the appeal for the increasing number of pedestrians and cyclists.

The newly unveiled Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Vision, developed jointly by WXY architecture + urban design and Bjarke Ingels Group in collaboration with the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, proposes a number of public realm, streetscape & green infrastructure improvements for an entire neighborhood.

Gallatin Place reimagined. Image courtesy of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

Jeanne Gang reveals 51-story condo next to Downtown Brooklyn Macy’s

2018-04-09T17:31:00-04:00

Tishman Speyer released on Monday the first renderings for its new luxury residential tower in Downtown Brooklyn, 11 Hoyt. Designed by Jeanne Gang’s architecture firm, Studio Gang, the 51-story, 480-unit condominium project will offer a variety of apartment layouts, with more than 190 different floor plans. The tower’s rippling exterior seems to borrow elements used in two of Gang’s Chicago projects, the Aqua Tower and the Vista Tower, which is currently under construction. The project will rise next to the Macy’s on Fulton Street, which is currently undergoing renovations by Tishman Speyer, who are also planning a 10-story office tower on top of the store. Hill West Architects is the architect of record.

“11 Hoyt is destined to become Downtown Brooklyn’s most desirable new address,” Rob Speyer, the CEO of Tishman Speyer, said in a statement. “We are honored to collaborate with such a talented group of globally-minded and innovative design partners to launch our first ground up cond...

LPC Approves Brooklyn’s First 1,000+ Foot Tower; New Renderings and Details

2016-04-19T12:22:00-04:00

Brooklyn is finally getting a new skyscraper development worthy of its 2.6 million populace. Today, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved SHoP Architects‘ vision for 9 DeKalb Avenue, a rehabilitation of the landmarked Dime Saving Bank that will marry it with a dramatic, supertall skyscraper behind, the first 1,000+ foot building to arrive in the borough. To bring back more of the building’s grandeur, its exterior and interior spaces will be restored.

LEESER transforms historic Strand Theatre into Brooklyn's newest cultural hub

2013-10-03T20:18:00-04:00

The BRIC House and UrbanGlass complex by LEESER Architecture opened its doors to the public on the morning of Oct. 2 in Downtown Brooklyn. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz were present to perform the ribboncutting at Brooklyn's newest creative space.

Back in 2008, Brooklyn-based LEESER won the chance to transform the historic Strand Theatre into what is now a 60,000 sq.foot venue for BRIC Arts | Media, a 35-year-old non-profit organization widely known for its interdisciplinary arts and media programs. The reconstruction project cost $35 million.

An emphasis on community outreach and participation is evident throughout LEESER's redesign of the 1919 building. The central public-gathering and presentation area (known as The Stoop), the white-walled interiors, and the facility's spaciousness create an overall open environment that will be suitable for the venue's various events and functions.

The House is also full of resources for B...

Downtown Brooklyn's Residential Boom Adds Height, Lacks Good Looks

2013-07-16T18:44:00-04:00

The last several years have seen a series of tall towers sprout from the Downtown Brooklyn skyline, but [...] these new edifices leave much to be desired in the looks department. The title of the borough's tallest building keeps passing from one development to the next, but none of these buildings—the Brooklyner, 388 Bridge Street, or Avalon Willoughby West, to name a few—offer any architectural integrity.

A little of the less-than-beautiful Downtown Brooklyn buildings that are dominating the borough's skyline, from tallest to shortest.