Macy's Distinctive 19th Century Mansard Roof Vanishes From Fulton Street -- Temporarily

A recent walk down Fulton Mall revealed the iconic green mansard roof of the Downtown Brooklyn Macy’s building at 418 Fulton Street has disappeared.

Built in the 1870s, the cast-iron Second Empire-style building is being integrated into a glassy, modern 10-story office tower that will rise above it as part of a $279 million redevelopment of Macy’s by developer Tishman Speyer. The removal of the historic cast-iron facade is temporary, a spokesman for the developer told Brownstoner.

“Tishman Speyer is in the process of restoring the cast-iron facade,” he said. “Tishman Speyer and its restoration consultants have temporarily removed the original cast-iron components, which are now being repaired, restored and reconstructed as necessary. Once completed, the entire cast-iron facade will be returned and fully reassembled.”

A peek inside the construction site shows part of the building still standing, including interior columns.

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.

Macy’s will continue to operate out of the lower level and first four floors of the two original buildings — the 1870s Second Empire and the 1930 Art Deco, Tishman Speyer said in April. Renderings show the historic green facade in place, with a setback tower.

The project is being designed by Joey Shimoda of Los Angeles-based Shimoda Design Group along with Perkins Eastman, a global firm known for apartment towers and hotels.

The forthcoming office tower has been dubbed The Wheeler in honor of the 19th century developer. A website for the development describes the building as “built on a 19th century icon.”

[Photos by Susan De Vries]

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• Building of the Day: 418-434 Fulton Street

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