ODA revitalizes former arbuckle sugar refinery along brooklyn waterfront

10 jay street, a waterfront landmarked building in brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood, has been revitalized through the creative vision of new york-based architecture firm ODA. built in partnership with triangle assets, the 230,000 square foot property includes 10 stories of open floor plates, each with original detailing and characteristics that bring you back to the industrial age. a delicate balance of glass, steel, brick, and spandrels give the building a modern sensibility without compromising its industrial heritage, while the reflective facade engages people far and wide, making it a new landmark along the water’s edge.

all images by pavel bendov

the building, revitalized by ODA, dates back to 1898 and formerly served as the arbuckle brothers sugar refinery. the massive structure had been originally designed by the george m. newhall engineering co. and reaches all the way to the water where boats could dock for deliveries and services. while in 1925 it had been converted into a winery, the front structure was later torn off, exposing three of the original facades and an interior party wall toward the east river shore. for 50 years it was left vacant and derelict until purchased in 1991 by family owned triangle assets.

when it came time to renovate, the team envisioned a design that would preserve the unique history of the building while integrating into the 21st century fabric of DUMBO. ‘with this design we really felt we were giving back to our community. they just don’t make buildings like this anymore,’ benjamin stavrach of triangle assets comments, referencing the exterior brickwork and interior terracotta arches. the owners donated nearly 15,000 square feet of land to brooklyn bridge park, which is now manicured as walkways and green lawns. while the owners had originally planned to develop the building as condominiums, the design by ODA inspired the decision to reimagine the heritage building as an historically expressive commercial space.

ODA dug into the site’s history, drawing a series of skins that evoke sugar crystals, broken geodes and crystalline surface that now serve to reflect the park and river sunsets that define its context. the renovations restore the three east, north and south original facades to their historical masonry condition, plus the interior brick vault ceilings and columns. the proposed spaces offer open floors for dynamic office arrangements to enjoy wide open views of manhattan and williamsburg’s waterfront. vaulted ceilings and exposed brick meet the full height glass curtain wall. in the lobby the manhattan bridge detail is a 12 foot by 13 foot drawing by artist andrew antonaccio made with moss.