The Empire warehouses are located in the Empire Fulton Ferry section of Brooklyn Bridge Park at 53-83 Water Street. These buildings were built by architect Thomas Stone in 1869 and feature distinctive brick walls with round arch openings and iron shutters. The warehouses consist of seven contiguous buildings, four and five stories in height.
Ten design firms have submitted proposals to the Community Advisory Council (CAC). These proposals are aimed at generating income for the Brooklyn Bridge Park maintenance, preserving, restoring and reusing the landmarked buildings and transform the buildings into an exciting and dynamic destination that will work well with the park and the surrounding area. The designs include retail, office and cultural space.
According to Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park, "the Empire Stores warehouses have played a vital role in the development of the Brooklyn waterfront, and it is important that these historic structures be preserved. The buildings contain approximately 327,000 square feet of space bordered by Water Street, Main Street and Dock Street.
The Tobacco Warehouse, a similar landmarked warehouse, south of the Empire Stores is also being developed. Rogers Marvel Architects have submitted a set of renderings to a Community Board 2 subcommittee for St Ann's Warehouse. A theatre will be built inside the warehouse.
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