The Revitalist

Left, Domino Sugar Factory. Right, Tate Modern.

With pre-development planning well under way for the Domino Sugar Factory on the Williamsburg waterfront in Brooklyn, a group of artists has begun advocating for a Tate Modern-like redevelopment (via Curbed). The developers of the project, Community Preservation Corporation Resources, has planned a residential conversion. They will keep the main refinery building but clear the rest of the site to make way for 2,200 apartments built over 6-8 years. The plan also includes four acres of open space, 120,000 sq ft of retail, 100,000 sq ft of community space, and the preservation of the iconic, multi-story Domino Sugar sign. The artists group, however, believes that the site has many similarities with the Bankside Power Station that became the Tate Modern. They argue that the economic benefits of a major destination museum/arts center would outweigh the benefits of condos. The developer is unmoved, saying that housing is the most feasible option. The first community meeting on the project is tonight – interesting to see what develops.