Building of the Day: 6 Stanwix Street

The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy.

Address: 6 Stanwix Street, between Jefferson and Melrose Streets
Name: Factory building
Neighborhood: Bushwick
Year Built: 1931?
Architectural Style: Industrial, with a Southwestern/Arts and Crafts flair
Architects: Unknown
Landmarked: No

I like a good industrial building, and this one fits the bill. Whoever designed this one added a few extras for some curb appeal. Especially nice are the corner turrets and the Mediterranean/Southwestern inspired Arts and Crafts details in the brick and terra-cotta inserts and medallions.

These elevate the building beyond mere function. As function, the location enables the factory to have large windows on all sides, crucial to a work environment needing light and air. Property Shark lists the building as having been built in 1931, which may be pretty close to actuality.

The typefont in the knitware carved in at least two sides of the facade does have a Deco-ish flair, and tells us of the building’s original use. In 2001, Henry Radusky and his Bricolage Designs firm filed a permit to convert to artists lofts.

From the photo, it looks as if that only took place on the top floor. The two middle floors still look like factory spaces, and Richie’s gym occupies the first floor. Mixed use in a neighborhood that is changing.

[Photos by Suzanne Spellen]