Domino Gains Full Approval
It comes as no surprise given that the recent approval at the committee level, but the folks at the Community Preservation Corporation must still be breaking out the champagne over yesterday’s final approval by the entire City Council of the New Domino development project. In a 45-0 vote, the Council greenlighted the massive conversion, which…
It comes as no surprise given that the recent approval at the committee level, but the folks at the Community Preservation Corporation must still be breaking out the champagne over yesterday’s final approval by the entire City Council of the New Domino development project. In a 45-0 vote, the Council greenlighted the massive conversion, which will transform the 11.2-acre Domino Sugar Factory site just north of the Williamsburg Bridge on the Brooklyn Waterfront into a cluster of buildings with a mix of commercial, community and residential space. In all, there will be 2,200 apartments, 600 of which will be some kind of affordable housing; the original refinery complex will also be preserved as part of the conversion and, as part of a late-game negotiation by Councilman Levin, building height will be capped at 34 stories rather than 40. The groundbreaking is scheduled for late 2011 and it’s estimated that the project will cost $1.5 billion over the next 10 years; the developer still needs to secure financing, no small matter in this environment.
Council Approves Plan for Domino Site [NY Times]
City Is Sweet on Domino Redo [WSJ]
Plan for Former Domino Sugar Site Approved [NY Post]
Plan for Former NYC Sugar Site Approved [Business Week]
Domino Construction to Start in 2011 [Curbed]
Council Gives Final Domi-YES! [Brooklyn Paper]
New Domino Gets Final Green Light [Brooklyn Eagle]
New Domino Clears Council Hurdles [Brownstoner]
Last Minute Deal to Save Domino Development [Brownstoner]
Details on the Domino Public Hearing [Brownstoner]
Domino Public Hearing Held This Morning [Brownstoner]
City Planning Approves Domino [Brownstoner]
It’s also rather ridiculous to call me a frownstoner, when I probably am more on optimistic about most things here than 95% of people on this blog.
I just don’t like uninspired 35 story buildings usually. Especially in low rise neighborhoods.
I think the design is fine (and as far as I know, I’m not one of d_h’s friends). I just wish there were a lot fewer units and more open space for the community.
I am quite sure some people will like the design.
There are people who bought at Northside Piers too. And the 100’s of other monstrosities all over the neighborhood.
No accounting for taste. Some people think brownstones are ugly. I’m just giving my opinion.
I like Brooklyn because of its low-rise community feel with a sense of light, air, trees, etc. I guess some want Williamsburg to just turn into an extension of Manhattan. That’s cool…that’s exactly why I don’t want to live there.
I have several friends who think this design is beautiful – typical frownstoner response.
I don’t mean a boardwalk or beach or park. I mean it cuts off the light and air and creates a highrise barrier along the water.
Hey, if you think it’s a good thing to have the entire Williamsburg waterfront lined with 35 story glass boxes, have at it.
These are hideous in design, in my opinion.
“Totally cuts off access to the waterfront and creates a barrier from the rest of the neighborhood to the water. Don’t love it. ”
there is no access to the waterfront now – but there will be after this is built
hey, it’s opposite day!!
Ditto – I’d go for something more than 4 on the waterfront, but way less than what was approved. As far as that variance is concerned, I think the 12-story midblock mass is more assaulting to the low scale of the neighborhood than the tower (the 12 story bit runs the full block width, as opposed to the tower which is more slender). But I get your point about the psychology of it.
(Most assaulting is the design of the tower itself, which if it is built could vie for the title of ugliest building on the East River.)
There’s no access to the waterfront there now – its an abandoned factory. There hasn’t been access to the waterfront there for 160 or more years (unless you were an employee of the sugar factory). Yes, its a wall of condos better suited to create a nice view from Manhattan rather than OF Manhattan, but waterfront access (in the form of a public esplanade and connecting streets down to it) is one of the few perks the community gets out of this project.
WBer – I know the as of right height is already a problem! But 40 storys still has a greater psychological impact than 35.
Personally I’d like to see it re-zoned to nothing over 4 storys. Keep the hi-rises south of Bushwick inlet.