Development

Glimpse of Green Spotted as Historic Mansard Roof Slowly Unveiled at Downtown Brooklyn Macy's

It was temporarily removed back in 2017 but the iconic 19th century mansard roof is peeking out from behind scaffolding at the Fulton Mall Macy’s.

Photo by Susan De Vries

by Susan De Vries

07/03/2019 0

It was temporarily removed back in 2017 but the iconic 19th century green mansard roof is peeking out from behind scaffolding at Macy’s on the Fulton Mall in Downtown Brooklyn.

Built in the 1870s, the cast-iron Second Empire-style building at 418 Fulton Street is being integrated into a new glassy, modern 10-story office tower that has topped out above the historic building and is part of a $279 million redevelopment of Macy’s by developer Tishman Speyer.

The cast-iron building was constructed by Andrew Wheeler before it was purchased, and significantly remodeled, by Abraham & Weschler (eventually becoming Abraham & Strauss) in 1881. The Art Deco addition at 422 Fulton was constructed in 1929-1930, designed by Starrett & Van Vlecht. The combined buildings became Macy’s Downtown Brooklyn store in the 1990s. A revamped Macy’s continues to operate out of portions of the two original buildings.

brooklyn development 418 fulton street downtown brooklyn macys — The building in 2016

The new tower has been dubbed The Wheeler in honor of the 19th century developer. The project, designed by Joey Shimoda of Los Angeles-based Shimoda Design Group along with Perkins Eastman, will consist entirely of offices — no residential.

During a recent visit scaffolding was down across a small section of the mansard roof, allowing a view of the brilliant green expanse. Workers were spotted busily moving across the scaffolding as work on the facade continues.