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Empire Stores

CompanyStudio V Architecture

Lead DesignersJay Valgora, Aia, Aicp, Leed Ap

Design TeamGianfranco Cerini, Guido Furlanello, John McCallum, Gordon Wilhelm, Sishir Varghese, Andy Wu, Zongye Lee

Project LocationBrooklyn, NY

ClientMidtown Equities

Prize(s)Gold in Architecture Categories / Renovation

Entry Description

Empire Stores, comprised of seven Civil War-era brick buildings nestled between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, served as coffee “stores” or warehouses for over a century. Today, they have been rejuvenated by a radical design that blends contemporary architecture and historic rehabilitation. Public spaces intermingle with private and an outdoor park reconnects the community to Brooklyn Bridge Park. What was once Fortress Brooklyn now unifies the community and encourages an entire borough to re-engage with their waterfront.