Brooklyn, NY As young professionals continue to flock to boroughs to both live and work, Gene Kaufman Architect (GKA) debuts two shared working spaces in Bushwick, supporting the neighborhood’s growth and reputation as an artist’s enclave. Earlier this fall, the six-floor co-working space at 100 Bogart began accepting tenants, while the shared artist studios at 13 Grattan St. is set to open before year-end. Combined, these two spaces accommodate more than 600 occupants.
Meanwhile, construction has just topped out on a residential building in Greenpoint, located at 211 McGuinness Blvd. on the corner of Greenpoint Ave., which is expected to open in June of 2018.
“Brooklyn offers an undeniable sense of community and a sense of neighborliness that Millennials are seeking in all aspects of their lives,” said Gene Kaufman. “The design of these three projects mirrors the needs and lifestyles of young professionals who are highly mobile and often take their business with them wherever they go.”
With the proliferation of individual entrepreneurs and start-up companies – which often seek the flexibility of month-to-month rent and more affordable shared resources – developers are increasingly taking on projects that cater to this market. The design and aesthetics are sleek, minimalistic and incorporate the use of sustainable materials, providing a clean backdrop for productivity and work.
At 13 Grattan St., the shared working space consists of complete full-floor lofts which can be manipulated into various configurations depending on needs, as well as a 1200-square-foot retail space. The co-working space and artists’ studios at 100 Bogart feature common areas including a café, conference room and other spaces that are shared among the separate entities occupying the space. There are also two retail spaces totaling 3,000 s/f.
“We came to this area 34 years ago and are thrilled to have two buildings – one vintage and the other brand-new – that provide ideal spaces for creative and independent businesses in particular,” said developer Ted Hovivian. “The Anx and The Bogart are welcome additions to a neighborhood that has been cultivating a rich environment for artists, craftspeople and companies looking to establish a presence in Brooklyn. We are proud to have enriched that momentum,” added Marianne Hovivian.
Meanwhile, the 350-foot-long, 8-floor, 196-unit residential building at 211 McGuinness Blvd in Greenpoint, which is scheduled for completion in June, topped out on November 1. The building has studio, one and two bedroom units as well as a host of amenities. In addition to a playroom and fitness center, the building’s expansive roof has a pool, whirlpool, outdoor cooking space, seating and lawn area. Apartments will offer tremendous views and ample natural light. While the façade is roughly 50 percent complete, the apartments are currently in the construction phase.
“One of the design challenges with 211 McGuinness is that because of the building’s length, we wanted to design the very long façade with the character of the neighborhood in mind. This meant breaking up the exterior into several distinct sections to add dimension and variety from an aesthetic standpoint, something we think residents will appreciate,” added Kaufman.
According to project developer Adam Roman, a principal at Stellar Management, working with GKA on 211 McGuinness was a seamless exercise, both due to the firm’s extensive experience with inclusionary housing projects and because the project was completed using in-house experts. “Gene holds several consultant trades in-house – from mechanical and electrical to structuring and plumbing experts – which expedites the planning and design process.” Roman further noted about Kaufman and his team: “They are consummate professionals, responsive and think outside of the box.”
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