Empire Store Warehouses Are Ready for Reuse

Right on time, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation sent out a request for proposal for the Empire Stores in Dumbo. Those seven four- and five-story historic warehouses have a 75,000-square-foot footprint with 327,000 gross square feet total. As you’d expect, the RFP stresses the importance of a thoughtful, restorative adaptive resuse. The revenue generated by the development of the Empire Stores will help fund the maintenance and operations of the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Here’s what the RFP says:

The RFP requires respondents to submit conceptual plans that demonstrate thoughtful adaptive reuse of the structures, responsiveness to the site design guidelines and a level of design that is on par with the investment made on the part of the public sector. The proposals must be responsive to criteria including the preservation of the structures, financial feasibility, design, green building components and the project’s responsiveness to the surrounding community. Respondents must also demonstrate the creation of a high quality year-round commercial and retail development that will attract and provide services to area visitors, residents and businesses.

RFP submission are due on Dec. 10; a site visit and information session is planned for Nov. 1. All the details here.
Empire Stores Warehouse Project Moving Forward [Brownstoner]
Photo by Julienne Schaer