The Transformation of Brooklyn’s Waterfront: From Industrial to Residential
Signs have a lasting impact on a city, leaving behind memories of brands and places. The rise of LED billboards has replaced permanent signs, but some still hold power in the urban memory. When the iconic 1950s Domino’s Sugar sign returned last year, it felt like the homecoming of a prodigal neon that had long defined the entrance to Brooklyn.
Memory, however, can be elusive. The new sign is a replica, not neon but LED, and it stands on the site of the now-defunct sugar refinery. The surrounding area has seen massive developments and towering skyscrapers, contributing to the gentrification of Williamsburg.
Brooklyn has had towers before, but recent architectural additions are finally elevating the skyline. The neo-Deco Brooklyn Tower by SHoP architects complements the historic Williamsburgh Savings Tower, while OMA’s Eagle + West in Greenpoint stands out with its unconventional twin towers. But it is around the old Domino plant where a distinctive Brooklyn skyline is emerging.
Unlike Manhattan, which was built for work, Brooklyn’s skyline reflects the shift from labor to residential living. The previously inaccessible industrial waterfront is now being opened up due to the city’s real estate market. However, the development around Domino is taking a different approach.
Historically, Brooklyn’s brownstones, apartment blocks, and tree-lined streets have been popular and expensive, while new-builds lacked character. That is changing, and the Domino development acknowledges the need for a more diverse city where people can work and live in the same area. It also values history and place, showing that change doesn’t have to mean erasure.
Amid shifting patterns of work culture, increasing interest rates, and rising property prices, the question remains: will Domino be a blueprint for future development along the Brooklyn waterfront, or an anomaly?
Last week, the old sugar refinery was opened for the first time since its closure in 2004. The building still bears the name of the Havemeyer family, who established the business in the 19th century. Domino was once the largest sugar refinery in the world but closed down after a bitter strike. The shell of the refinery remains, juxtaposed with new glass, offering views of the Williamsburg Bridge and the rest of Brooklyn.
Brooklyn’s industries have shifted from manufacturing to technology, finance, and hospitality, with only remnants of the former industrial era still visible. The area’s rezoning in 2005 transformed the waterfront from an industrial hub to a residential area, resulting in the displacement of communities such as the Puerto Ricans who once thrived around the sugar plant.
Devoid of its industrial past, Brooklyn’s waterfront is now filled with towers and residential complexes. The Domino development, costing $2.5 billion and consisting of 2,800 rental apartments, will reshape the nature and appearance of Williamsburg. The developers, Two Trees, have a track record of transforming industrial areas into desirable neighborhoods; their transformation of Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) made it one of New York’s most sought-after locations.
The architecture at Domino differs from previous industrial developments. The old brick facade of the refinery has been retained, alongside new glass elements. Inside the shell, a large office block has been constructed, leaving space around the edges for natural light and views of the river and city. A glass events space at the top pays homage to the building’s history.
Battersea Power Station in London served as a parallel project to Domino, also led by architect Rafael Viñoly. While Battersea faced criticism for its density and lack of integration with the surrounding area, Domino has been better received. Community activists initially protested gentrification and the loss of local industry, but the developers won them over by building the park first. Domino Park, designed by Lisa Switkin of Field Operations, has become a beloved public space, fostering a sense of community.
The transformation of Brooklyn’s waterfront reflects the city’s shift from industrial to residential living. While some lament the loss of the waterfront’s industrial heritage, the development of spaces like Domino presents an opportunity to blend history with modernity. Only time will tell if this transformation becomes a model for future development or a unique exception along Brooklyn’s waterfront.
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