Located in the DUMBO district, 10 Jay Street was once a landmark building surrounded by the Manhattan Bridge and scenic riverbank views. After a comprehensive renovation by the local architectural firm ODA, the building has been transformed into a stunning modern structure. In collaboration with Triangle Assets, the design and renovation cover approximately 2,200 square meters and feature 10 open floor slabs. Each retains original design elements that evoke the industrial era. By preserving its industrial heritage, the building achieves a subtle harmony between glass, steel, brick, and arched supports, blending history with modernity. Its reflective facade now attracts visitors from near and far, establishing it as a new riverfront landmark.
Originally, this building was the Arbuckle Brothers sugar refinery, dating back to 1898 and designed by the George M. Newhall Engineering Company. Its large scale allowed direct river access for ships delivering goods and services. In 1925, it was converted into a distillery. Less than a decade later, the building’s facade was demolished, though three original facades and the east-facing partition wall were preserved. Subsequently, the building remained vacant and deteriorated for 50 years until the family-owned Triangle Assets purchased it in 1991.
Benjamin Stavrach from Triangle Assets shared, “This project truly allows us to give back to the community.” During renovation planning, Triangle Assets aimed to preserve the building’s unique historical character while integrating it into the modern architectural fabric of DUMBO. Reflecting on the original exterior brick walls, the interior brick arches and tiles, and the extensive 2,200 square meters of floor slabs, Stavrach exclaimed, “This historic building is already a masterpiece.” Both the Stavrach family and the New York City Landmark Preservation Commission strongly supported ODA’s design. The commission issued 15 certifications covering both exterior and interior aspects, underscoring the building’s resilience and the exceptional craftsmanship evident throughout.
The building’s owner generously donated nearly 1,400 square meters of land to Brooklyn Bridge Park, now transformed into sidewalks and green lawns. Initially, Stavrach planned to convert the building into apartments, but after seeing ODA’s iconic design, the idea to sell was abandoned. “This design made us fall in love with this historic building, so we couldn’t let it go.” Consequently, the developer and designer reevaluated the plans, working closely with the New York City Department of Real Estate Development (HPC), the Department of Buildings (DOB), and the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) to shift the project toward commercial leasing.
Triangle Assets requested ODA to consider the needs of commercial tenants and maximize business potential during the design process using BIM technology. “Our building is uniquely positioned within the park,” Stavrach explained. As the only privately owned building in Brooklyn Bridge Park—all others hold 99-year leases—we want it to clearly express our lasting presence. Visible from land and sea, this building stands proudly as the crown jewel of the DUMBO district.
After researching the building’s history, ODA developed conceptual designs inspired by sugar crystals, fractured crystal caves, and crystalline surfaces. These elements now define the building’s reflective facade, mirroring the park and the sunset over the river. The renovation restored original walls on the northeast and south sides, as well as the building’s interior brick arches and columns, all returned to their authentic condition.
The interior offers open floor plans conducive to dynamic office work, featuring expansive views of Manhattan and the Williamsburg riverbanks. The brick arches and exposed bricks elegantly intersect with full-height glass curtain walls, creating a striking blend of old and new.
The lobby features an art wall inspired by the Manhattan Bridge made from moss by artist Andrew Antonaccio, measuring approximately 366 x 396 centimeters. The elevator lobby includes a concrete feature wall measuring around 518 x 396 centimeters with a pattern reminiscent of the building’s crystal-inspired exterior facade.
With increasing focus on heritage preservation, 10 Jay Street has become a global example of how to restore historic architectural features while adapting to contemporary needs. The design challenges traditional perceptions of landmark buildings by finding unique intersections between old and new, industrial and digital eras, creating a space that adapts seamlessly to modern society.
“10 Jay Street is both instructive and inspiring for future urban development,” said Eran Chen, founder and architect of ODA. “By protecting historic buildings in an innovative way, mixed-use redevelopment has given this building new purpose—shifting the commercial center from the city core to surrounding neighborhoods and transforming the DUMBO district into a vibrant area integrating living, working, and entertainment. I am confident 10 Jay Street will set a global example for urban development.”
Project Information
Design Firm: ODA New York
Location: 10 Jay St, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Project Type: Renovation
Building Area: 2,136 square meters
Completion Year: 2019
Photographers: ODA, Pavel Bendov, Dan Balilty, Imagen Subliminal
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