New York, NY The first Greenpoint project for Gene Kaufman Architect (GKA) has broken ground at 211 McGuinness Blvd. When completed, the 210,000 s/f, eight-story mixed-use building, which has 350 feet of frontage, will occupy much of the block between Greenpoint Ave. and Calyer St. GKA is handling the entire project in house, designing the architecture; the interior design; the structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering; and all of the project expediting. The large site and protected zoning created an unusual opportunity for both luxury and market-rate apartments. The building will have 197 studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments, with 20% of them affordable housing. Some units will be fully accessible and all units will be adaptable. In addition to the 160,000 s/f of residential space, 211 McGuinness will offer 18,000 s/f of ground-floor commercial space and 175,000 s/f of common space containing an enticing selection of indoor and outdoor amenities. Stellar Management is the developer. A contemporary urban aesthetic While 211 McGuinness is, in fact, a single structure, its 350-foot façade has been designed to suggest a typical Greenpoint streetscape, in this case, of nine modestly-sized individual buildings. The materials – brick, metal panels, window walls, punch windows and Trespa panels – and the use of architectural elements typical of Greenpoint architecture will reinforce the sense of a human-scaled built environment. The interiors will feature vintage brick, blackened steel, and burnished concrete finishes, all softened for contemporary sensibilities through the use of reclaimed wood walls, white oak floors, and vibrantly colored fabrics in the common areas. Said GKA principal Gene Kaufman, “This project offered an unparalleled opportunity to design a major project on one of the most important streets in Brooklyn. By sectioning the façade, we’ve ensured that, despite its size, the building will fit the scale and historic character of the neighborhood. The extensive use of brick will further that connection, while the prevalence of glass will signal the modern style that is the future of the area and that will make the building a significant part of Greenpoint’s identity.” An outstanding collection of amenities The building will have a tantalizing mix of amenities designed to foster a lively community atmosphere. Chief among them will be the 20,000 s/f “green” roof, an oasis in the sky, featuring

• An 840 s/f pool surrounded by chaise longes;
• Grass, trees and built-in planters;
• A hardwood deck filled with elegant lounge furniture; and
• Areas ready-made for get-togethers with friends and neighbors, with built-in gas grills, large, rustic tables, and an outdoor screening room.

The amenities will also include

• A 2,100 s/f tiered back garden perfect for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, with a large lawn, a deck, and lots of lounge furniture;
• A top-floor fitness center with 1,100 square feet of workout space, huge picture windows that let in lots of natural light, and a grand staircase leading up to the roof;
• A 1,900 s/f ground-floor lounge with an oversized projection screen perfect for watching movies and sporting events, and a private space complete with a dedicated kitchen and a bathroom;
• A 700 s/f ground-floor game room with a pool table, sofas, card tables, and a double-sided fireplace shared with a 300 s/f library with a large reading table and built-in, fully-stocked bookshelves;
• Basement storage for tenants, including enclosed storage for 101 bicycles;
• A 112-space, attended underground garage;
• A 24/7 concierge; and
• A host of hi-tech features, including wi-fi in all public spaces.

Design partners for the project include MPFP landscape architects; BuroHappold Engineering, which consulted on the façade construction; PL Engineering, which designed the rooftop pool; and ADA consultants Accessibility Services. The McGuinness Blvd. project may be GKA’s first foray into Greenpoint, but the firm has been shaping the skyline of neighboring Williamsburg since the 1990s. In fact, GKA’s work was central to the area’s rebirth and to the development of a “Williamsburg style” that pays homage to the neighborhood’s industrial past while celebrating its more livable present. Among the many projects the firm has designed over the last 25 years areThe Lucent (170 North 11th St.), a six-story condominium with a sinuous zigzag form rendered in silver metal and glass; The Rialto (150 North 5th St.), the factory conversion of a Z-shaped building; The Residences at The Williamsburg (135 North 11th St. near McCarren Park), a three-structure complex of two residential buildings and the boutique Hotel Williamsburg (160 North 9th St.), the area’s first full-service lifestyle hotel, now known as the McCarren Hotel & Pool; The Decora (165 North 10th St.), 15 oversized loft apartments; The Dunham (42 South 6th St.), a condo building on quaint Dunham Place one block from the East River waterfront; and the newest project, 56 North 9th St., a residential building with retail and dining on the lower floors. Under construction: 774-776 Grand St., a mixed-use residential project at the intersection of Grand and Maujer Sts. Recently, in response to continuing demand among Brooklyn’s creative and artistic communities for studio, gallery and work space, GKA has moved into Bushwick. When completed, two current projects, The AnX (13 Grattan St.) and 100 Bogart St., will offer almost 100,000 s/f of artist studio and gallery space.