ulmer-brewery-main-1208.jpg
ulmer-brewery-office-1208.jpgThe Ulmer Brewery, a fixture in Bushwick since the late 19th Century, took a step closer to gaining Landmarks protection last week, when the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to “calendar” the multi-building property. As the Waterfront Preservation Alliance reported, the buildings include the main brewhouse (constructed in 1872) and an addition (1880); the office (1886), engine house and machine house (1886); and the stable and storage building (1893). Here’s a description of the property from LPC:

William Ulmer (b. 1844), son of William Ulmer, a successful Parisian wine merchant, became sole proprietor of the Vigelius & Ulmer Continental Lagerbier brewery by 1882. At the time, the business was expanded, including construction of a handsome Romanesque Revival style office building circa 1882. The two-story red brick building features arched and dormered windows, a squat mansard roof clad in slate, as well as remarkably intact terra-cotta ornament. Divided into three bays, the projecting center bay incorporates red terra-cotta panels that identify the initial of the last name of the owner, the beer’s trademark, and the function of the building. The architect has not yet been identified but the general design and use of materials recalls the much grander Long Island Historical Society, completed in 1881. The office building was separated from the larger brewery by a passage with an elaborate iron gate. Though rusted, the richly-embellished gate is historic and possibly original to the structure. With prohibition, the brewery closed and, since 1920, the structures have been used for various commercial purposes.

Ulmer Brewery on Path to Landmarking [WPA] GMAP
Bushwick Brewery Up for Historic Landmarking [BushwickBK]
Photos from PropertyShark


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. Calendared means that the commission has determined that there is enough merit and information to schedule a public hearing for the actual designation. A building that has been calendared for designation should be flagged by DOB, and no work can be done on the building without LPC approval. So I guess it is tantamount to a temporary designation pending a public hearing and potential designation.

  2. Folks;

    A slow day at the office, sooooo…I found the songs from the last two great Brooklyn beers:

    Rheingold:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfc4InJ7shk

    Schaefer:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nrRlXlbWCU

    Note how “localized” the Rheingold commercial is – so different when compared to today’s global, corporate brands. Note also the reference to “this man’s world” in the Schaefer lingo!

    Both of these beers were brewed on the Williamsburg waterfront. Hence the name of the recent development: “Schaefer’s landing”

  3. I remember the Schaefer song, as well. The Reingold is also familiar, but fuzzier in the memory, it was more folk German lied/drinking song, if I remember correctly. Benson, you are forcing us to date ourselves. Most people aren’t older than “two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheeze…..” here.

    Back when I was a kid, dinosaurs roamed the earth…

  4. I remember the songs benson. My grandfather drank Rheingold.

    Also remember Dobler? Genesee Cream Ale is back too. But I digress and go off topic yet again. The latter two beers are not from Brooklyn.

    BRG was third runner up in the Miss Rheingold contest in 1952.

  5. Seriously, from the photos those are gorgeous buildings, especially the ‘office’ builidng. I’m going to have to go check them out.

    What are they used for now??

  6. Santa;

    In the 19th century, Brooklyn – and Bushwick/Ridgewood in particular – was the beer-making capital of the US. Brooklyn actually brewed more beer than Milwaukee. I remember the last two big breweries in Brooklyn when I was a kid: Reingold and Schaefer. Anyone out there remember the song’s for these two local brews:

    -“Schaefer is the one beer to have when you’re having more than ooonnneeee!!”

    -My beer is Rheingold, the dry beer…(I forgot the rest of the words).

    Also, anyone else remember the “Miss Rheingold” contest? BRG: were you a contestant?

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