There’s a new factory up and running at the site of one of the world’s most prolific sugar refineries; it’s a play structure, designed by Mark Reigelman, inspired by the machinery that used to be operate in the nearby Domino Sugar Factory until 2004.
The new park by James Corner Field Operations stretches out along the Williamsburg waterfront facing the Manhattan skyline in front of the landmarked factory. The public green space opened to the public on June 10 complete with elevated walkways, a taco stand run by Danny Meyer and a brand new themed playground, according to Curbed.
Led by Two Trees Management, the park and larger complex, which will eventually include a renovation to the original factory that still stands and four newly-constructed buildings, is being redeveloped into a 11-acre complex that already includes one residential building, 325 Kent Avenue, which is a rental property that opened last year.
The entire mixed-use project is estimated to cost about $3 billion. In April, M&T Bank, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase purchased $175 million in taxable bonds issued by the New York State Housing Finance Agency for one of the new buildings — a conjoined 42-story residential tower and 22-story office building estimated to run up a bill of $309 million. [Curbed] — Erin Hudson