New renderings have been revealed for the renovation and mixed-use conversion of the former William Ulmer Brewery, a landmarked five-story building at 81 Beaver Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Designed by DXA Studio and developed by Rivington Company, the two-phase project involves the full gut renovation of the 19th century structure and will yield residential space on the upper four floors and commercial space on the ground and cellar levels. The property is located at the corner of Beaver and Belvidere Streets and required a rezoning that was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the State Historic Preservation Office.
The renderings preview the renovations to the exterior, which has fallen into disrepair. In addition to the restoration of the brick façade, the fenestration will be returned to its original layout, particularly on the ground floor, where the window openings have been bricked shut. The metal gates at the southwestern end of the property along Belvidere Street will be replaced with windows framed by dark red mullions, and signage will be added for the commercial tenants.
Rendering courtesy of DXA Studio.
81 Beaver Street. Image: Google Maps
The building will be topped with an expansive terrace and a new one-story gable-formed penthouse.
Rendering courtesy of DXA Studio.
The original building was designed by German-American architect Theobald Englehardt and completed construction in 1872. The structure once served as the largest facility for the brewing company and also included an office, and engine-machine house, and a stable-storage facility. The factory was shuttered in the early 20th century following the passage of Prohibition, after which the building briefly served other manufacturing uses until the 1940s, and its office component was converted into a townhome.
81 Beaver Street was designated as a landmark in 2010, becoming the first brewery in New York City to receive this status. Rivington Company purchased the structure in 2017.
DXA Studio’s design will include the removal of all ahistorical elements such as fire escapes, the installation of new energy-efficient windows, renovation of the wood-paneled arched doors of the original wagon entry, among other improvements.
“As Bushwick continues to shift from an industrial area to a residential neighborhood, the adaptive reuse of historic buildings like the Ulmer Brewery, which embrace their narratives of transformation and renewal, can model a more thoughtful development approach,” said architect Jordan Rogove, co-founder of DXA Studio. “The Ulmer building is an extraordinary structure, and will make for incredibly unique and special apartments. The ground floor and vast, vaulted cellars will live on as commercial space, connecting what will be the building’s third act to its larger historical lineage.”
The nearest subways from the development are the J, M, and Z trains at the elevated Myrtle Avenue station.
Construction is currently underway. A completion date for 81 Beaver Street not been disclosed.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
I am not certain how one can remove “ahistorical” fire escapes in a building that likely has wooden structure.
Very Nice
I think this eyesore will not be missed at all and is great news for the improving neighborhood.
What an excellent project.
‘Gentrification’ rolls on.
The history of the building will be lost, if there was still a fire escape standing there: Thanks.
Super excited to see this project come to fruition. I pass by Beaver St all the time and there’s so much trash around because it’s an abandoned building.