SO – IL to bring rosy pink homes to fort greene, brooklyn

144 vanderbilt: designed like a ‘historical village’

144 Vanderbilt, located in the vibrant Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, is a new residential project designed by the renowned architecture studio SO – IL. The building comprises twenty-six thoughtfully designed two- to four-bedroom residences, each carefully crafted to offer a unique living experience. Its distinct silhouette, created using pink precast concrete panels, makes an architectural statement in the neighborhood, its form recalling the look of a historical village, with varying heights, angles, and setbacks that give each unit its own identity, enhanced by oversized windows framing views of the Brooklyn skyline, Fort Greene Park, and Manhattan beyond.

Greenery plays a central role in the design of 144 Vanderbilt. The building’s staggered form allows for a series of private and shared outdoor spaces, offering residents the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities or quiet relaxation. Each residence is equipped with a private outdoor terrace, granting access to views of Downtown Brooklyn, the East River, or the expansive Manhattan skyline. Terraced gardens surround the lobby and amenity areas, creating a fluid indoor-outdoor experience that integrates nature with daily living, while exterior hallways are designed to take full advantage of natural light and ventilation, connecting the residents to the surrounding neighborhood through multiple open spaces and breezeways.

144 Vanderbilt offers 26 two- to four-bedroom homes behind a pink concrete facade | images © ethandeclerk

textural pink architecture by SO – IL

Located at the intersection of Myrtle and Vanderbilt Avenues, SO – IL’s 144 Vanderbilt occupies the heart of Fort Greene. The architects have tailored the eight-story project to harmonize with the neighboring townhouses along tree-lined Vanderbilt Avenue, stepping down in height to blend into the community fabric. Just four blocks from Fort Greene Park, the building offers residents easy access to one of Brooklyn’s most beloved green spaces.

Developed by Tankhouse, 144 Vanderbilt’s exterior is a standout feature along the Brooklyn streetscape. The building is wrapped in pink precast concrete panels, a material choice that enhances its visual impact and contributes to its sustainability. These panels feature scalloped surfaces that change appearance throughout the day as shadows shift across the facade. Two distinct finishes — acid wash and sandblasting — add texture and depth, exposing the warm tones of the concrete aggregate. The facade’s dynamic composition, with subtle variations in orientation, lends the building a timeless quality, ensuring it will remain an iconic presence in the neighborhood for years to come.

the building’s form evokes a historical village with staggered volumes and terraces

amenities and sunken gardens

For a building with just twenty-six residences, SO – IL’s 144 Vanderbilt offers an impressive 11,000 square feet of private amenity space. The ground-level entry and lobby feature a dynamic sequence of spaces with varied ceiling heights, fully glazed walls, and a blend of compression and expansion to create a dramatic and inviting atmosphere. Residents are greeted by lush greenery upon arrival, with meandering paths leading from the lobby through landscaped terraces to a range of amenities. These include a fitness center, children’s playroom, co-working lounge, yoga studio, and more — all flooded with natural light due to the building’s terraced design.

One of the highlights of 144 Vanderbilt’s amenity offerings is the extensive garden space that wraps around the building. The cascading garden features a 275-foot path that winds around the site, providing residents with areas for gathering or peaceful solitude amidst lush plantings. On the sixth floor, a Sky Garden offers panoramic views stretching from Downtown Brooklyn to the East River and beyond. This elevated garden space, accessible by a bridge, is free of any mechanical equipment, making it an ideal space for relaxation or socializing. The Sunken Garden, located at the main entry, introduces a dramatic element to the building’s design with its zen-like rock and plant features, providing a tranquil space overlooked by key amenity areas like the fitness center and lounge.

a sunken garden serves as the lush and dramatic entrance to the building

sustainable building features

Sustainability is a core consideration in the design of 144 Vanderbilt. The building incorporates blue roof and green roof systems across all exterior surfaces, which serve to manage stormwater and reduce the risk of localized flooding. These systems also create micro-ecologies that benefit pollinators and improve air quality in the urban environment. The custom precast concrete facade is designed for thermal efficiency, preventing rapid temperature changes inside the building and reducing energy consumption. Residences feature dual-aspect layouts that allow for cross-ventilation, reducing the need for air conditioning during warmer months. What’s more, 144 Vanderbilt adheres to NYC’s Zone Green code for energy-efficient buildings and is fully electric, using a QAHV all-electric hot water pump — a low-carbon solution that significantly lowers environmental impact.

the staggered design integrates greenery throughout the shared and private outdoor spaces