Brooklyn's Tallest Towers
Well, they don't say Brooklyn is the new Manhattan for nothin'. Over the last few years, we've seen quite a few colossal buildings gracing our skyline, reducing Brooklyn's original title holder, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, to a mere middleweight. Here's a look at the borough's tallest buildings in the order they took over the throne:
The original titan, this Art Deco skyscraper held the title for more than 80 years. Despite its name, it's actually in DoBro, not in Williamsburg (where the actual HQ is). It was built in 1927 and designed by Halsey, McCormack and Helmer, and declared a landmark in 1977. The Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower was converted to One Hanson Place apartments in 2006 by The Dermot Co and the Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds (a JV between Canyon Capital Realty Advisors and Magic Johnson). H. Thomas O'Hara designed the conversion.
In 2009, this GKV-designed apartment building in DoBro edged out the champion. The 491-unit tower, developed by The Clarett Group, contains studios, and one- and two-bedroom units. It also boasts floor-to-ceiling glass in some units, and amenities like billiards, skew ball, a private dining room, a gaming/screening room, a sun deck and indoor lounge, a fitness center, and a backyard with grills and a fire pit. It's also near Fort Greene Park, Atlantic Avenue, the MetroTech Business Center, the BAM District, Smith Street shopping, the Borough Hall Greenmarket and the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
This 378-unit condo-rental hybrid overthrew its predecessors when it was built in 2013 by the Stahl Organization. The SLCE-designed tower has 144 condos and 234 rentals, which feature walls of windows, custom built-ins, gray-wash white oak floors and deep soaking tubs. Building amenities include a rooftop viewing terrace, a lounge/party room, a play area, a media room and a terrace with a BBQ grilling deck.
This tall glass of water on Willoughby Street was developed by AvalonBay and designed by SLCE Architects. Formerly christened Avalon Willoughby West and Avalon Willoughby Square, the LEED-registered building features studios, one-, two- and three-bedrooms from $2,800. The units have built-in charging stations, barn doors and DIY customization kits. AVA DoBro even partnered with Cort Furniture in case you don't have your own. Amenities in this apartment building after a Millennial's heart include a 58th-floor rooftop with indoor and outdoor lounges; a 30th-floor terrace with a lounge, BBQs and a fire pit; a heated outdoor dog run and pet spa; WiFi access for common areas; bike storage and bike repair. It's also near the Barclays Center.
And coming soon...
340 Flatbush (775 feet)
It's not over yet. JDS is planning a 70-story, 775-foot tower (not including additional features like spires) with Chetrit Group. The 555,734 SF mixed-use tower will have 446,734 SF of residential space and 108,799 SF of commercial space across from the City Point development. There's no completion date or renderings, but we know SHoP is designing.
