Broad Support for Domino Designation at LPC Hearing
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…
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]
Anyone have a link to any renderings or studies of this site? I saw a rafael Vinoly proposal once, but haven’t seen anything recently… anyone?
Well, if the owner has already committed to the reno plan, the debate is over. Good luck to them.
hmmmmm, I like these…
“an abandoned air-traffic-control tower plunked on top of a ramshackle German middle-school…
Frankly, it looks like crap. I can understand wanting to hold onto nice bits of history, but this is a dump, and an eyesore.
these buildings are just a heap of crap from all angles, just tear it down and clean up this waterfront. “
HEY 2:17…. READ THE LAST LINE OF THE POST ABOVE YOURS PLEASE.
Preservationists Nazis…
Who are you? Donald Trump?
Affordable Housing Nazis…
Developer Nazis…
Greenspace Nazis…
Why dont we figure out a way to make more than ourselves happy? Why dont we work on something together that can give a little something for everyone?
Jesus.
there are many who think that fussy Victorian interiors are hideous and that early industrial architecture, built for function, is far more pleasing. It certainly is the precursor of a modern sensibility. To each his own.
“Broad Support”?
Brownstoner, I don’t necessarily see an immense gathering of preservationist Nazi zealots as an indication of broad public support. How did you come to this conclusion? Who conducted the sampling poll? You?
No, this isn’t Penn Station or the Singer Building, but that is because this neighborhood and most everything built in it was for the working class, for industy, and for commerce. The money that allowed New York to be such an economic powerhouse (and to build such great icons like the old Penn Station) was made, in part, here.
For this neighborhood, with its own history and sense of place, this is a landmark. That doesn’t mean leaving it alone and empty… but we don’t have to tear it all down and building new either. It doesn’t have to be such a fight to make this work for everyone involved: the developer who wants to make a buck, affordable housing advocates/ working class residents of the area, the new influx of yuppies looking for condos, families who want waterfront access for their kids, architects looking for an interesting site and a challenging project, and preservationists who want to keep something that reminds the neighbors and all New Yorkers the things helped make the city great (industrial might and the toiling of the people who worked at factories like this one). Why does it have to be all or nothing?? Open your minds a little, guys.
“Would be great for some ‘up close’ shots of the buildings, because this view is not too convincing.”
That’s my problem! This is the VIEW that will be seen by the entire world from the waterfront!! This is the dumbest thing in the world! Horrible!
i’m sorry, but this is no penn station or singer building, these buildings are just a heap of crap from all angles, just tear it down and clean up this waterfront. some things are not worth fighting for, this is one of them