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Tobacco Warehouse Adaptive Reuse
Brooklyn, NY

H3 was engaged by St. Ann’s Warehouse to propose renovation of the existing Tobacco Warehouse in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Constructed within the existing perimeter walls of the 19th century Tobacco Warehouse shell, this adaptive reuse project explored plans to create a one-of-a-kind performing arts facility and community cultural center in the heart of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

With minimal architectural intervention to the beloved ruin, H3’s design envisions a modern warehouse for the arts to support St. Ann’s Warehouse’s creative and versatile approach to theater-making, as well as community artistic and educational programs.

Two multipurpose rooms provide flexible performance space under one roof in the rectangular portion of the Warehouse. A principal performance space accommodates productions, festivals, and large events and a smaller venue houses rehearsals, community performances, meetings, and educational activities. Both spaces will be outfitted with necessary infrastructure to support a wide range of flexible staging and seating possibilities for 100-700 people. The project is designed to LEED Silver Rating standards or higher.

The open-air triangular form doubles as prefunction space and a café for Brooklyn Bridge Park, allowing visitors to experience and savor the character of the Tobacco Warehouse’s exposed, unaltered walls. The Garden inside includes landscaped planting beds, café tables, and chairs, and the original archways open to the Park.

Alive with year-round activity, the project will reinvigorate the Warehouse as a focal point for the neighborhood and a celebrated cultural institution for New York City.

CLIENT: St Ann’s Warehouse
COMPLETION: 2013
SIZE: 26,000 square feet
COST: $15 million

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