Closing Bell: Pushback on Empire Stores

Preservation advocates at the New York Landmarks Conservancy have suggested Studio V Architecture dial down its proposed design for the adaptation of the landmarked Empires Stores warehouses in Dumbo, according to a few graphs buried at the end of a long New York Times piece today about the project.

Conservancy President Peg Breen praised the plan for restoring the facade, but said the two-story rooftop addition was too big and that a proposed glass arcade — the centerpiece of Studio V’s plan to knit together the buildings and create modern usable space — cuts too many holes in the buildings’ schist walls.

A few other details of the project, which is being developed by Midtown Equities, emerged: The architects want to preserve as many remnants as possible of the building’s past as a hub for the sugar and coffee trades in the 19th century, including iron hoisting wheels, chutes for coffee bags, iron shutters, star-shaped tie-rod anchors, and what remains of painted advertising signs. “We don’t want to take away the aging,” said Studio V’s Jay Valgora. “We want to restore the patina.”

Brooklyn Takes Another Pass at Revitalizing an Abandoned Waterfront Warehouse [NY Times]
New Glass Arcade Will Cut Through Landmarked Empire Stores to Rooftop Park [Brownstoner]
BBP Chooses Developer for Empire Stores [Brownstoner]
Rendering by Studio V Architecture