At the Landmarks hearing for the Domino Sugar Factory, perhaps the Brooklyn waterfront’s most iconic structure, there was almost unanimous agreement among preservationists, neighbors and the developers themselves that the exterior of the refinery building (which is actually three adjoining buildings known as the Filter House, the Pan House and the Finishing House) should be preserved. It turns out that the interior will have to be completely gutted, as the existing structure is not strong enough to support residences and the spacing of the massive columns is prohibitively tight. Only one group, Churches United, seemed lukewarm on preservation, urging LPC instead to focus on envisioning a time when “factory owners live side by side with factory workers. Though LPC won’t vote until later in the summer, the designation of the refinery seems almost assured; the biggest remaining issue will be whether the Waterfront Preservation Alliance and others can convince LPC to include more of the complex, namely the southern-most brick building that is substantially similar in its design to the refinery. Preservation of the Domino sign itself also remains up in the air.
History and Homes May Mix at the Brooklyn Waterfront [NY Times]
Landmarks Commission Discusses Fate Of Domino Sugar Factory [NY1]
Domino Refinery Sign May Be at Risk [am NY]
UPDATE: Domino LPC Hearing [WPA]