Shawmut Design and Construction unveils The Wing Williamsburg

Brooklyn, NY Shawmut Design and Construction completed The Wing Williamsburg at 71 N 7^th St., a network of work and community spaces designed for women. Officially open on February 14^th, the new location will be an expansion of the organization’s goal to empower its members and create networks where they can meet, work, create, and learn. To celebrate, The Wing hosted events throughout its first month, beginning with a “Williamsburg Be Mine” opening soirée.

Shawmut, in partnership with The Wing’s in-house interior design team and CallisonRTKL, completed the 12,000 s/f space across three floors which includes a rooftop with cityscape views. The project was designed to feel cohesive and comfortable with amenities including a full-service café and bar, a personal space area with showers, lockers, a fully stocked mother’s room and beauty room, a shared library, private meeting room with Zoom capabilities, five soundproof phone booths, and a quiet room area. Unique to this location is the addition of a childcare space, “The Little Wing,” outfitted with furniture and toys from Crate and Kids.

“Dedicated to the professional, civic, social, and economic advancement of women through the communities in which they create, we were inspired to help expand The Wing’s mission by completing their newest location in Williamsburg,” said David Margolius, executive vice president at Shawmut. “Our team, who tapped into expertise working in urban areas, was successful in delivering a space that will provide each member with the necessary resources that will ensure The Wing remains a force of influence for women in New York City and beyond.” 

As with each Wing location, the Williamsburg space was designed to cater to the specific needs of the local members and draw inspiration from the community. Dark, rich wallpapers from women-owned and designed brand, Maison C., cover the walls of the personal space area alongside white subway style tiles and locally-inspired elements such as a striped awning that pays homage to the area’s delis and cafes. Warm colors of terracotta, green, and light pink are featured in hexagonal tiles spread throughout the space to create a welcoming and harmonious atmosphere. The quiet room consists of elevated neutral tones including a black ceiling, beige walls, and dramatic vintage light fixtures. The space’s seating options are purposeful in encouraging community building and productivity for Wing members. 

Highlights of the space include The Lending Library, a partnership with The Strand Bookstore, placed to curate a range of titles by women and about women in Brooklyn. The library is both digitized and catalogued, welcoming members to borrow from the library as needed. In addition, the Salon at The Wing is an art gallery and permanent exhibition with works by New York City-based women and non-binary artists. Built to bring established and up-and-coming artists together, each work interacts with each other, capturing a dialogue between artists of different ages, identities, and nationalities, a reflection of The Wing’s mission and diverse membership. Finally, The Perch Café highlights local, women-owned and co-owned bakeries, farmers, and winemakers curated by culinary and beverage director, Dani Dillon.

The Wing’s Williamsburg outpost represents the latest in a series of high-profile projects for Shawmut in the region, including completed work with Columbia University Irving Medical Center, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, PUMA, Oceans New York, and TAK Room with ongoing work at the Times Square Theater redevelopment.