NEW YORK | Domino Sugar | 535 + 530 + 518 + 450 FT | 53 + 51 + 43 + 42 FLOORS

[NYguy]

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20131104/REAL_ESTATE/131109967

Commission certifies Domino Sugar plan
Revamped plans for the 11-acre site on the Williamsburg waterfront were certified by the City Planning Commission on Monday,
clearing the way for a lengthy public review of the project. Construction could start as soon as late 2014.





By Joe Anuta
November 4, 2013

An application for the redevelopment of the hulking Domino Sugar refinery on the Williamsburg waterfront was certified by the City Planning Commission on Monday afternoon. The approval clears the way for the ambitious plan by developer Jed Walentas and his company Two Trees Management to begin the city's labyrinthine public review process. The developer hopes to break ground on the 11-acre, mixed-use project as soon as the end of next year.

The proposal envisions construction of four buildings plus a revamp of the existing landmarked structure into a total of 2.3 million square feet of residential space, more than 500,000 square feet of office space and more than 70,000 square feet of retail space along the East River just north of the Williamsburg Bridge. Two Trees bought the site, which included approvals for a massive development, from CPC Resources for $185 million a year ago, but decided to go back to the drawing board. The developer put aside its predecessor's plans for a series of 30 to 40-story towers, in favor of an approach that drew more on Two Trees' success in transforming another formerly-industrial Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood, Dumbo, over the last 20 years.

"We thought we could do a better plan, a plan that better reflects our philosophy for development," said David Lombino, director of special projects for the firm.

Drawing on the Two Trees' success of turning Dumbo into a destination for creative and tech tenants, which in turn created a bustling commercial and retail district, the developer significantly upped the amount of office space it will add at the Domino site. Current plans call for enough space to house about 2,700 workers, nearly triple the area's existing office space and creating what Mr. Walentas has said will hopefully be a more balanced and sustainable community.

To draw up its plans, Two Trees brought in SHoP Architects, which significantly changed the shape of the buildings. The new design calls for taller, slimmer structures with large cut outs, designed to maintain the community's views of Manhattan and increase light and open space.

"They are designed to break the monotony of these 35-story, non-descript towers that are marching down the waterfront from Long Island City," said Mr. Lombino.