Architecture

First Tower in Domino Sugar Factory Mega-Project Takes Shape on Kent Avenue in Williamsburg

The first new tower under construction at the former Domino Sugar factory site is rising at 325 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg. Developed by Two Trees Management and designed by SHoP Architects, the mega-development is one of the most unusual projects under construction in Brooklyn.

325 Kent Avenue at Domino Sugar Brooklyn 18

Northwest corner of 325 Kent Avenue.

by Field Condition

08/26/2016 0

Superstructure is rising at 325 Kent Avenue, the first new tower under construction at the former Domino Sugar Refinery site in Williamsburg. Developed by Two Trees Management and designed by SHoP Architects, the completed mega-development is scheduled to include seven buildings. Including the adaptive reuse of the iconic (and landmarked) 1880s refinery structure, the complex will be massive with over 1.96 million square feet and over 2,200 residential units.

325 Kent Avenue at Domino Sugar Brooklyn 01 — Williamsburg waterfront

Its design will also be quite unusual, with public access to extensive waterfront park grounds and playfully shaped buildings through which the waterfront will be visible from the streets around the complex.

325 Kent Avenue at Domino Sugar Brooklyn 08 — Domino Sugar site with the Williamsburg Bridge beyond

For the first tower, SHoP designed the massing to reach its full height of 16 stories along the East River-facing Kent Avenue at the site’s west end, while stepping down to the lower scale of the Williamsburg neighborhood to the east. From the waterfront, the project will appear as a broad tower with a tall rectangular hole. As the two tower wings step down to the east, terraces are created that will give residents views of the neighborhood, with a central courtyard atop the podium roof.

325 Kent Avenue at Domino Sugar Brooklyn 11 — Looking south along Kent Avenue with 325 Kent rising at the left.

The building features a five-story base with retail, parking and amenities on the lower floors and apartments beginning on the third floor. Two towers wings are set back from the base starting at the sixth floor and contain the rest of the 522 rental units. Another floor of amenities caps the two tower wings at the 16th floor, helping to complete the hole that runs through the west facade.

325 Kent Avenue at Domino Sugar Brooklyn 21 — Looking up at the west facade of 325 Kent Avenue

The exterior wall is just starting to be installed at the tower’s south facade, which SHoP has designed as a five story red brick base with metal panel cladding on the two tower wings above.