50 Nevins Street
Brooklyn, NY
Architect
Dattner ArchitectsDistributor
Consolidated BrickMason Contractor
King Contracting GroupProducts
Black Hills Velour, White Plains VelourLocated in Downtown Brooklyn, the Nevins Street Apartments reinvigorates a century-old building through a gut renovation and addition to provide affordable housing, supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals, and mental health services. The historic site of 50 Nevins Street, with its new 10-story addition, now features 129 new apartments serving those in need.
The original building was the Institute of Community Living (ICL)’s first housing program launched when the organization was founded in 1987. The historic building, designed by famed Brooklyn architect Frank Freeman, opened in 1913 as a YWCA for 225 single women. Nevins Street Apartments have undergone various interior and exterior alterations while still maintaining its meaningful purpose.
An extensive portion of the building was shaved off to enlarge Schermerhorn Street and make way for the subway line in the early 1930’s. That adjustment resulted in an imbalance to the massing of the Young Women’s Christian Association’s very symmetrical Colonial Revival Style. Dattner Architects was mindful of the building’s evolution while developing what is clearly an asymmetrical design. Dattner’s design interventions ascribe value to the existing building and help restore the balance it had lost.
The project features Glen-Gery’s White Plains Velour, and Black Hills Velour in a contrasting, asymmetrical pattern enveloping the building. Black Hills Velour is a darker, neutral toned brick perfect for a monochromatic backdrop for the design and finishing statements. White Plains Velour is a lighter brick, yet holds a range of deep greys and brown tones across a common velour texture.
The building is served by a common entry and lobby with shared facilities on the ground floor, including a pantry, art gallery, medical room, mail room, and community/recreation room. ICL’s support and office spaces are located on the cellar and the ground floors. The building complies with Enterprise Green Communities Program energy and sustainability requirements.