The Metropolitan Architecture Studio (OMA) has created a striking pair of skyscrapers named Eagle+West in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood. These towers feature a stacked arrangement of cantilevered sections combined with concrete paneling.
The Eagle+West towers are part of the ongoing “Greenpoint Landing” development, located in northern Brooklyn’s post-industrial area. This project comprises two high-rise buildings alongside a smaller structure.
The two towers stand at 40 and 30 floors respectively, designed for both residential and retail use. Their forms feature an interplay of proximity and distance, with the taller tower broadening at higher levels and stepping inwards every 24 feet (7 meters).
Jason Long, a partner at OMA, described the towers as “complementary siblings” that create a dynamic presence, drawing the attention of the community and the waterfront.
Due to limited site space and a desire to enhance the urban landscape, OMA implemented a stepped design featuring two interconnected structures. At the point where the 400-foot (121-meter) tall tower approaches the neighboring building, a cantilever extends outward. Both towers frame a central open space, with outdoor leisure areas on the podium, including a swimming pool and landscaped park.
The taller tower features tilted columns enabling the cantilevered sections. The smaller tower, standing 300 feet (91 meters) tall, steps towards the waterfront, mirroring the cantilever of the taller structure. This reverse stepping design expands the gap between the towers to 60 feet (18 meters), preserving open views of the waterfront and the Manhattan skyline.
The towers are clad with prefabricated concrete panels, each block spanning seven to eight floors. These panels feature groove patterns angled differently to create varying shadows and textures, separated by 8×8 foot (2.4×2.4 meter) windows. The scale of each stacked volume was carefully chosen to reflect the size of the surrounding neighborhood blocks.
In total, 1,616 panels were used. The entrance features a distinctive “fish scale” pattern to create a visual focal point. The underside of the taller tower’s cantilever is clad in aluminum panels with integrated grooves, designed for easy maintenance. The seven-story podium houses additional residential units, lobby areas, and lounges.
A variety of amenities, including a swimming pool and gym, are located on a glass bridge at the podium’s edge. This bridge spans an outdoor courtyard between the two towers, connecting them seamlessly.
The interior design, crafted by Los Angeles-based studio Marmol Radziner, features a comfortable atmosphere. At the center of the development is a double-height lobby beneath the glass bridge, with grooved stone and wood paneling on the walls. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls lead to an outdoor sculptural staircase, which provides access to exterior amenities.
Additionally, the smaller tower includes its own lobby space at ground level. The Eagle+West project marks OMA’s first high-rise building in the city and is part of a larger Greenpoint Landing development, which will eventually cover 22 acres upon completion.
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