Brooklyn Architecture and Design
Brooklyn’s Rich Architectural History
Brooklyn, New York, boasts a rich and diverse architectural history that has spanned centuries. Starting as early as the 18th century, Brooklyn’s origins were marked by wood-frame houses, a common sight in the period. One early example is the home at 24 Middagh Street, in Brooklyn Heights, a wooden construction dating back to the 1860s.
As the 19th century unfolded, Brooklyn began to flourish with the rise of row house architecture. This was largely dictated by the narrow urban lot sizes, leading to adjoining row houses becoming a distinctive feature in the city. Today, row houses in the Beaux-Arts, Renaissance Rival, and Neo-Classical styles can be found throughout Brooklyn adding to its architectural richness.
Brooklyn Buildings Through the Turn of the Century
Moving into the 20th century, Brooklyn’s skyline started to transform with the construction of iconic structures. The Williamsburgh Savings Bank building in Fort Greene, an imposing Art Deco skyscraper, is a testament to this period. Another remarkable structure from this time is the Woolworth Building, an architectural marvel that symbolizes the distinct historical and cultural periods of New York.
We’d be remiss to discuss Brooklyn architecture and design without mentioning the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. An internationally recognized symbol of Brooklyn and New York City, it connects Brooklyn to Manhattan and serves as a testament to the city’s engineering prowess. Similarly, the historic Dumbo District showcases Brooklyn’s ability to blend old and new, preserving its rich past while embracing modernity.
Brooklyn Architecture and Design Today
Today, Brooklyn continues to be a hub for architectural innovation. It’s a patchwork of the old and new, with the classic buildings of Brooklyn Heights reflecting the neighborhood’s origins as a residential suburb. At the same time, new developments and renovations echo current architectural trends, ensuring the city’s continuous evolution.
One of our favorite qualities of Brooklyn architecture is the blend of many disparate styles, which somehow work together. Thanks to the noble efforts of preservationists, Brooklyn has managed to hold onto many of its great architectural works, while at the same time allowing for some modern design to take root and flourish.
Modern adaptations of older structures have become more common in Brooklyn too, as the city has gone through successive periods of gentrification. Brooklyn’s gentrification began in the 1960s, but it didn’t really take off until the mid-late 80s. Rezoning in the early 2000s helped fuel the current surge of transformation.
Our Projects In Williamsburg, Brooklyn
New World Design Builders / K2 Studios currently has three projects underway in Williamsburg, Brooklyn as part of the new Marceau boutique hotel destined for Williamsburg’s waterfront. We believe this new hotel at 110 Kent Avenue is going to bring even more authentic flavor to Broolyn’s hippest neighborhood.
- Madam Renée restaurant: French and Mediterranean cuisine with a boho chic vibe.
- Madam Renée bar: A rooftop bar crowning Williamsburg’s hottest new boutique hotel.
- Madam Renée Speakeasy: An intimate boutique lounge at the new Marceau hotel.
Brooklyn Architecture and Design Highlights
The Brooklyn Tower at 9 DeKalb Avenue
Starting with the newest Brooklyn architecture, we have the Brooklyn Tower. This ultra-modern mixed-use condominium tower was built in 2022. The city’s first supertall building looms more than 1000 feet above the streets of downtown Brooklyn and boasts 92 stories with 149 residential units. Units in this building begin at around $900,000 and range up to $7.8 million for a 3,000+ sq ft 4 bedroom, 4 bath square unit.
The Brooklyn Tower is a superb symbol of the blending of old and new architecture in the city. At its base sits the Dime Savings Bank. Built in 1906, the bank is a fine example of New York neoclassical architectural style with a richly detailed Beaux-Arts interior.
The new Brooklyn Tower resembles a modern interpretation of one of the bank’s sturdy columns. Its multi-faceted hexagonal form clad in rich bronze, marble white, and lush black accents is impossible not to notice as the most prominent part of Brooklyn’s new skyline.
The Brooklyn Museum
At the other end of the spectrum, we have a stalwart example of Brooklyn architecture’s immutable ties to the past — The Brooklyn Museum. Established in 1823, the museum is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country.
The current building was designed by Brooklyn architects McKim, Mead, and White in 1893 and construction by the P.J. Carlin company began in 1895. Sections and wings were added over the years and with some delays during World War I, the building was finished in its entirety in 1926.
While the final product only represents about 25% of the Brooklyn architectural firm’s original grand design, The Brooklyn Museum remains one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Key elements of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden were signed to align with the museum building as well. For example, the Cherry Esplanade on the axis directly behind the museum and the Osborne Garden parallel to the building’s western flank.
The Brooklyn Bridge
As stated earlier, it wouldn’t be right to discuss Brooklyn architecture without mentioning the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Probably the most recognizable symbols of Brooklyn and New York City as a whole. The famous Brooklyn Bridge has been featured in countless films and television shows going back to the silent era. The bridge is so well-known that it acts as a visual shorthand to signal New York City as the setting for a story.
This essential piece of NYC infrastructure was built in 1883. It is a steel-wire suspension bridge utilizing hybrid cable-stays, with vertical and diagonal suspension cables. The bridge’s massive stone towers reflect the neo-Gothic architectural style with their characteristic pointed arches. As the first fixed bridge to cross the East River, it established an essential link between Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Bridge was, unquestionably, an architectural marvel of its day. The longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened, with a main span of 1,595 feet and a deck that sits 127 feet above the river. If you’re as fascinated by the Brooklyn Bridge and its history as we are, we heartily recommend watching Ken Burn’s outstanding documentary about it (also his directorial debut, by the way).
New World Design Builders and K2 Studios Fusion of Architecture and Design
Meet New World Design Builders and K2 Studios. We are a high-performance team of artists and craftspeople dedicated to creating beautiful, functional architecture and design that inspires. Our works incorporate modern design while remaining true to classic design principles.
New World Design Builders and K2 Studios incorporate architecture and interior design under one banner. Our union makes us uniquely qualified to create complete design solutions for your business. Our creations feature a seamless integration of savvy interior design that compliments the surrounding architecture.
We are a full-service design firm fueled by a passion for creating atmospheres where memories are made. Turn your vision into reality by partnering with our dedicated architects and designers When you’re ready to start a new design and/or construction project in Brooklyn or anywhere else, let’s discuss all the ways New World Design Builders can create the perfect space for you.