The Landmark Preservation Commission recently granted unanimous approval for the construction of a single-story commercial building in DUMBO, Brooklyn. The property is located at 20 Old Fulton Street and will contain ARABICA Coffee’s first stateside coffee shop and a second, unconfirmed retail tenant.
Designed by NV/Design.Architecture, the slanted massing of the building rises from 12.5 feet to 18.5 feet above ground. The façade incorporates arched windows and entryways inspired by the surrounding historic industrial buildings in the neighborhood.
Structural massing at 20 Old Fulton Street – NV/Design.Architecture
Rendering of 20 Old Fulton Street – NV/Design.Architecture
Bounded by Elizabeth Place, Everit Street, and Old Fulton Street, the site reportedly has sat vacant since the 1920s. Previous proposals to develop the property from Snøhetta were approved by the LPC in 2014, but never broke ground. In 2018, the site was purchased by an LLC chaired by Shlomi Avdoo, who is managing principal of real estate investment firm Level One Holdings. The value of that transaction was approximately $3.5 million.
Today, site excavation is ongoing. While not officially confirmed, the developer has commented that the coffee shop could be operational by summer 2020.
Initial designs for 20 Old Fulton Street – Snøhetta
Existing conditions as 20 Old Fulton Street – NV/Design.Architecture
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Anyone know why a single-story building only seems to be allowed here?
Ditto that question
Only 1-story is allowed here due to an easement (or some other sort of agreement) from the owners of the Eagle Warehouse Condo directly to the east. Their west-facing window openings were only installed when the building was converted (at great expense), no doubt they had no desire to loose their views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Skyline.
You are correct about an easement, but you’ve identified the wrong building. The easement is held by 7 Everit, the co-op behind the lot, for their north facing windows.
What an absolutely delightful looking building. A classic design that will age well. It has the feel and proportioning of a much older modernist building. A huge improvement over what was originally proposed. This might be the best building I’ve seen in ages.