Breaking News: Brooklyn's Skyline Transformed Forever as OMA/Jason Long's Tower Reaches New Heights!

Greenpoint, a neighbourhood in the northernmost tip of Brooklyn, is set to transform its skyline forever with the latest phase of development at Greenpoint Landing. The area, where Newton Creek meets the East River, is being revitalized to provide much-needed mixed-income housing while opening up access to and along the waterfront. Two towers, designed by OMA/Jason Long, are at the centre of the development, marking the firm's first project in Brooklyn. These towers have just topped out, marking an important milestone in the construction process.

The 30- and 40-story towers will provide 745 units of mixed-income housing, with the larger tower designed to maximize the dramatic views of the Manhattan skyline. The towers' stepped forms mediate the contrast in scale between the new buildings and the existing neighbourhood, creating seven- to eight-story blocks that echo the scale of the neighbouring buildings. The precast panels on the facade, carved by a series of angled planes, are shingled and alternate in orientation, emphasizing the finer scale of the towers' mass. This results in a dynamic relief that reacts to the movement of the sun throughout the day.

The two towers are located on the industrial edge turned waterfront esplanade, where Greenpoint Landing's public waterfront open space will be extended by an additional acre next to Newtown Barge Park. This expansion will unlock a new section of Greenpoint waterfront for the first time in generations. The development's promise to build a resilient, green esplanade along the banks of the East River overlooking the iconic Manhattan skyline is being fulfilled with this latest phase of construction.

Maria Masi, Senior Vice President, Multifamily Development at Brookfield Property Partners, expressed her excitement about bringing OMA's stunning architectural vision to life in Greenpoint. She highlighted the significance of this development in providing much-needed mixed-income housing to the neighbourhood and expanding the waterfront esplanade for the entire community. Marian Klein, President of Park Tower Group, added that this new phase of development would help create uninterrupted access to the shoreline while delivering new sections of much-needed public green space.

The towers' distinct shapes, one stepping out while the other steps back form a ziggurat and its inverse. The taller tower widens toward the east as it rises, while the shorter tower widens toward the ground, creating a cascade of terraces that angle away from neighbouring towers. The stepped forms create zones of maximum efficiency within each tower, reducing the footprints to allow for maximum open space in between. This strategic design provides uninterrupted views of the Manhattan skyline and maximizes access to the waterfront.

Marmol Radziner is the interior and landscape designer for the buildings, while Beyer Blinder Belle is the executive architect and unit interior designer. The general contractor is New Line Structures, and the superstructure contractor is Highbury Concrete. The project was designed by Partner Jason Long with Associates Chris Yoon and Yusef Ali Dennis, and the OMA New York team.

This latest phase of development at Greenpoint Landing is a testament to the perseverance of the construction and design team, who have overcome unprecedented challenges to reach this important milestone. With the two towers topping out, the dynamic skyline of Greenpoint is set to transform forever. The development not only provides much-needed mixed-income housing but also unlocks a new section of the waterfront esplanade for the entire community. It is an exciting time for Greenpoint, as this underutilized stretch of Brooklyn's waterfront is reimagined for the benefit of all.

Photo and press release courtesy of OMA.