The Wilbur Chocolate Factory project reinvented a decommissioned chocolate factory complex, built over 100 years ago, into a multi-use development. The multi-use redevelopment project is anchored by the original iconic Wilbur Chocolate Factory structure, which was repurposed into an upscale hotel, market, restaurant, and luxury condominiums. The vision for the project encompasses varied uses to bring more people into this thriving downtown area to ultimately shop, dine, stay and live. 

When building in an established neighborhood, architects and designers have a duty to preserve the authentic style of the neighborhood while telling a new story. Through this lens, architect Morris Adjmi, known for his contextual yet contemporary designs, brought the idea of The Grand Mulberry to fruition. This twenty-condominium residence overlooks New York City’s historic Little Italy and its handcrafted design resembles traditional Italian craftsmanship while still making a bold statement within this celebrated neighborhood.

Adjmi, together with his firm Morris Adjmi Architects, creates buildings that stand out by fitting in. “Buildings should reflect their surrounding neighborhood while resonating on their own,” Adjmi explained. “Our buildings rarely shout, but they always have something to say.”

Little Italy is one of the most beloved and recognizable New York City neighborhoods. Any new structure faces the challenge of blending seamlessly with the sensitive urban context while making enough of an impression on its own.With The Grand Mulberry, Adjmi used brickwork to emulate the façades of classic Italian tenements while incorporating a modern style of window arrangements. The result is a thoughtfully constructed landmark likely to overlook the neighborhood as long as its centuries-old neighbors.

Q: What were your design goals for The Grand Mulberry?
A. From the onset of the project, the design objective was to create a contemporary interpretation of the historicItalianate tenements found throughout Little Italy. Little Italy is one of New York City’s most iconic and beloved neighborhoods, and any new construction must simultaneously honor the existing cityscape and speak for itself. The custom profiled Glen-Gery bricks that clad The Grand Mulberry allowed us to create a spectral reference to this heritage in a unique way.

Q. What story is being told through The Grand Mulberry?
A. With its façade, The Grand Mulberry tells a story about its neighborhood’s past, present, and future. We were inspired by the classical architectural characteristics of traditional Italianate tenements but also wanted to create a modern building that reflects how we live and design today. This notion unlocked the entire concept. With an unexpected pattern of custom-profiled bricks, we set out to present an illusion of an Italianate façade. Then, we overlaid a contemporary arrangement of windows to create a dialogue between the historic context and a fresh approach to residential design.

Q. Did you face any challenges with this project?
A. The unique masonry pattern could have presented a potential challenge during construction. However, the integrity of the bricks fabricated by Glen-Gery, the level of detail put into the development of the architectural drawings by the Morris Adjmi team, and the quality of work provided by the masonry subcontractor (ARK BuildersCorp.) allowed for a tremendously smooth construction process.

Q. What did you love most about the completed project?
A. I love that The Grand Mulberry is an example of how new design ideas can be applied to traditional methods and materials to create something fresh and compelling. While the façade pattern is traditional, the application of the hand-molded, domed bricks is very modern—each brick was carefully positioned within the double-stacked running bond coursing. Though the bricks are unique and custom-shaped, they were installed using a very traditional bricklaying method by expert masons.

Q. Tell us about the bricks used and how the dots were used to create a series of patterns.
A. The domed bricks were chosen for their ability to provide shadow relief and add depth. We thought of the dome or dot as a pixel that could be used to create a drawing on the building’s façade without needing to introduce additional colors and materials to the palette. The red-orange color pays homage to the red brick buildings found throughout Little Italy and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Q. Brick typically represents the hue of a city based on what’s in the clay and dirt, offering a material palette for a building’s design. You elevate this in your design approach, to weave in a city or community’s history. History seems to play an important role. What are your thoughts on this?
A. Many of our buildings are rooted in an understanding of context and history, but our work is not historic. There is an underlying modernist sensibility to everything we do. This idea never seemed particularly contradictory to me.Historic and contemporary styles are not opposing forces but rather complementary ones; their coexistence is essential in creating a sense of architectural continuity in our cities.

I believe this approach helps us design buildings that have an emotional resonance—that is, buildings that evoke images, ideas, and memories related to their historic contexts—but are still relevant to the way we live and work today.

Morris Adjmi and The Grand Mulberry are featured within Folio 2, the second edition of Folio-a publication byGlen-Gery that features work by some of today’s most inspiring architectural and design firms across the nation.Request your complimentary copy here.

The Handmade Home, by Jamin and Ashley Mills, share their experiences renovating their home through DIY projects. Their latest project consists of a paver pathway in the front of their home, which include some special engraved brick pavers by Glen-Gery. Keep reading to learn more about their project! 

Q: Why did you choose to design/redesign this space?
A: Our 1976 aggregate wasn't serving our home well. It was slippery, old and crumbling. It did nothing for the over-all curb appeal. We'd already refinished the outside, but the sidewalk was another story. We knew we wanted softer curves to add to our front yard to soften our home's split level angles from the outside. Brick pavers were a natural choice to incorporate that timeless look.

Q: What made you choose the market street paver?
A: We adore the tumbled finish and color of this amazing paver. We definitely wanted a timeless look with lots of instant character. This brick paver was perfect for the final look we were going for.

Q: What was your design inspiration?
A: There's something about the timeless appeal of old streets in brick. Our own college in Auburn Alabama had brick pavers on sidewalks in walking to class, and there is a certain nostalgia about that. Some of our favorite historical cities we've visited, like New Orleans and Charleston maintain brick pavers for the same timeless tradition. It made sense to bring this detail to our front yard for a great look and as a nod to where we live now, in Franklin Tennessee. It's an area rich in history, and we just adore a lovely brick pathway. 

Q: How has Glen-Gery products helped to transform your space?
A: The before and after definitely speak for themselves with the amazing change. But you know you've made a difference in your front yard before adding any new greenery when all the neighbors are complimenting that new brick pathway. Our son's bus driver even told him "the yard is looking so good" when he stepped off the bus one day. This will be an ongoing landscaping project we only hope to add to it in the spring, so it's already made a huge difference. 

Q: What was your experience working with Glen-Gery products?
A: Glen-Gery is a solid, dependable product that adds such a beautiful accent to any home. We really loved implementing this project into our front yard space. One of our favorite elements was the personalization that was added to that walkway. If you look closely, you can find our children's names and Mills, est. 2002. It's a special little addition that was so subtle, but also means so much. 

Q: Would you use Glen-Gery products again in the future?
A: Absolutely. The brick made such a huge difference, I would love to add more in different ways around our home. 

Q: Would you recommend Glen-Gery to a friend?
A: I recommend Glen-Gery to anyone that will listen! From clients to friends and strangers in the coffee shop, their quality is just amazing.

Q: What project is next on your list?
A: Our 1976 home has been a complete remodel over time. We hope to add some more entertaining areas and landscaping around our pool in the future, in the back yard. We also have {very future} plans for a stand alone carriage house and garage that doubles as an art studio. An artist can dream, right?

Q: What would you do differently if you had the chance to redo this project?
A: I would have added knee pads :D But all joking aside, I'm not sure we would change anything.

Q: What was your favorite/least favorite part of the whole process?
A: It was really satisfying to see that brick go down so easily, in such a fun pattern. We can't wait to see how good it looks in the spring when we can add real plants, greenery and a cutting garden around the border for a gorgeous feel. Our fingers are crossed that some of our plants made it through that cold this winter. Either way though, the brick is looking great. 

Q: How would you rate the projects outcome?
A: We are thrilled with the way it all turned out. I would say excellent.

Teresa Tumminia, established At Home Custom Interiors in 2002 and has been providing innovative interior design services ever since. She draws inspiration from many sources, but her main source is her clients. And in this case, her client was herself! Keep reading for the ins and outs of her latest design, and see before images below, and be sure the check out her Instagram, Website, and Facebook profiles for even more inspiration! 

Q: Why did you choose to redesign this space?
A: "I feel as though a home’s interior should flow with the exterior as well as its surroundings. I chose to redesign the kitchen because it was dated and not what you would “expect to find” coming through the front door. I wanted to create a vintage, farmhouse feel since the setting of the home is a farm surrounded by green acres and horses. I wanted to create a space that’s relaxing and timeless."

Q: What was your design inspiration?
A: "My design inspiration came from my love of all things “worn, vintage, and simple.” I love a touch of industrial-style mixed in as well. I feel that it’s timeless, not trendy."

Q: What made you choose Nob Hill Thin Brick?
A: "I chose Nob Hill Thin Brick with White Aspen mortar because I love the way it blends seamlessly with a mix of metals, woods, and cabinet finishes. It was the perfect compliment. I also chose to do a “messy mortar” style to give it an old feel. Outlets and switches were moved underneath the cabinetry for an authentic and uninterrupted result."

Q: How has Glen-Gery products helped to transform your space?
A: "The kitchen was designed around three things - the right exhaust hood, a quality farmhouse sink, and the perfect old brick. Glen-Gery’s wide selection of brick made finding the perfect shade a breeze and the installation system is amazingly simple. I knew if I chose Glen-Gery that the finished look would be exactly what I wanted - no unevenness and a gorgeous assortment of color variations."

Q: What project is next on your list?
A: "Next on my list is to brick an accent wall behind the bar in a “man-cave.” I’m very excited about this project! I’d like to do a floor as well!"

Q: What would you do differently if you had the chance to redo this project?
A: "Not a thing!"

Q: What was your favorite/least favorite part of the whole process?
A: "My least favorite part of the process was painting the all the cabinets. There were a lot. A good playlist helped me get through it! My favorite part was covering up those faux doors on the peninsula with brick and then adding the mini barn door to create access to the one deep cabinet. I repurposed the original front door knocker as a the handle for the barn door cabinet."

Q: How would you rate the projects outcome?
A: "I'm going to give it a 9!"