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The Last DUMBO Loft Conversion Offers Luxe Living for $1.4MView 12 Photos

The Last DUMBO Loft Conversion Offers Luxe Living for $1.4M

168 Plymouth Street transforms a 19th-century factory and its 20th-century addition into 46 condominiums that offer the best in 21st-century living.
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The DUMBO of today is often associated with trendy cafes and striking riverfront views of downtown Manhattan. Still, the historic district remains an integral part of Brooklyn's industrial history, evident by blocks of former factories from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Following on years of transformation in the neighborhood, Alloy Development is leading the residential loft conversation of two buildings that are among some of the last vacant structures in the neighborhood.

Plans for 168 Plymouth Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn, are comprised of two interconnected buildings that once served as a factory and distribution center for Masury & Sons Paint Works. Sales are now open for a mix of converted townhomes and lofts, as well as modern penthouses.

Plans for 168 Plymouth Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn, are comprised of two interconnected buildings that once served as a factory and distribution center for Masury & Sons Paint Works. Sales are now open for a mix of converted townhomes and lofts, as well as modern penthouses.

At the corner of Jay and Plymouth Streets are two structures built by  Masury & Sons Paint Works, once among the most important paint manufacturers in the U.S. The company's founder, John W. Masury, was a prolific inventor, patenting early methods of grinding paint in oil and an easy-open metal lid, which enabled the sale of ready-made paints.

A look at the current exteriors of the buildings along Jay Street, which share a central cellar and courtyard. The five-story brick and timber building was built in 1891, while the seven-story concrete building was finished in 1921.

A look at the current exteriors of the buildings along Jay Street, which share a central cellar and courtyard. The five-story brick and timber building was built in 1891, while the seven-story concrete building was finished in 1921.

A 1911 advertisement from Masury described the original brick and timber building during the heyday of DUMBO industrialism: "On the first floor is the shipping room, holding thousands of cans of paint to be sent to all parts of the world. Another floor is devoted to the grinding department. Outside, lines of wagons and auto trucks await."

A view of the construction process inside the brick and timber building at 50 Jay Street. Original longleaf pine timber beams run throughout the space, which will be converted into 18 loft homes and two townhomes, in addition to a couple of modern penthouses.

A view of the construction process inside the brick and timber building at 50 Jay Street. Original longleaf pine timber beams run throughout the space, which will be converted into 18 loft homes and two townhomes, in addition to a couple of modern penthouses.

According to the 2007 DUMBO designation report from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, the second concrete building located at 42 Jay Street replaced a one-story brick shed erected by the company in 1891. The seven-story structure included "facilities for the manufacture of flat white paints and enamels, a chemical laboratory, a floor for making sample cards, and, on the top floor, executive offices."

A look inside the daylight factory building, which was built using steel and concrete columns to allow for a larger factory space. The structure will be converted into 20 loft homes, along with a single townhouse on the bottom level and three glassy penthouses on top.

A look inside the daylight factory building, which was built using steel and concrete columns to allow for a larger factory space. The structure will be converted into 20 loft homes, along with a single townhouse on the bottom level and three glassy penthouses on top.

According to the same designation report, Masury & Sons Paint Works moved its manufacturing work to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1945 and was purchased by Valspar in the late 70s. The former factory and distribution center will now live on as residential lofts, with modern designs that pay homage to the building's industrial character and style. Keep scrolling to see more of the plans, with four types of homes starting at $1,400,000.

Townhouses

The project will offer three unique townhouses, all with private entries directly from Jay Street. Two of the townhouses will be located in the 1891 brick and timber building, while another one will occupy the ground floor of the 1921 factory.

The project will offer three unique townhouses, all with private entries directly from Jay Street. Two of the townhouses will be located in the 1891 brick and timber building, while another one will occupy the ground floor of the 1921 factory.

A separate entryway for the rest of the building will be located along the cobblestoned Plymouth Street, allowing residents to enjoy framed views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges on a daily basis. A private entry courtyard is planned in back, complete with reclaimed cobblestones and granite blocks, along with dogwoods, magnolias, and other native plantings.

A separate entryway for the rest of the building will be located along the cobblestoned Plymouth Street, allowing residents to enjoy framed views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges on a daily basis. A private entry courtyard is planned in back, complete with reclaimed cobblestones and granite blocks, along with dogwoods, magnolias, and other native plantings.

Brick & Timber Homes

A total of 18 loft homes are available throughout the brick and timber building, from the garden level up through the sixth floor. The custom-designed spaces will offer such features as RiFRA Italian Kitchens, Miele appliances, and Dornbracht fixtures.

A total of 18 loft homes are available throughout the brick and timber building, from the garden level up through the sixth floor. The custom-designed spaces will offer such features as RiFRA Italian Kitchens, Miele appliances, and Dornbracht fixtures.

The spaces will also feature painted brick and exposed wood beams, as well as seven-foot-tall windows and ceilings up to 12 feet.

The spaces will also feature painted brick and exposed wood beams, as well as seven-foot-tall windows and ceilings up to 12 feet.

Daylight Factory Homes

Another 20 loft homes are available in the concrete building starting on the second floor. These spacious residences will feature wide white oak flooring, along with restored concrete beams and columns.

Another 20 loft homes are available in the concrete building starting on the second floor. These spacious residences will feature wide white oak flooring, along with restored concrete beams and columns.

The spaces will also offer oversized daylight factory windows, as well as bathrooms with hand-clipped stone mosaic floors and porcelain stone shower walls.

The spaces will also offer oversized daylight factory windows, as well as bathrooms with hand-clipped stone mosaic floors and porcelain stone shower walls.


Modern Penthouses

Five distinct new penthouses will sit atop the historic structures. The design of the two above the brick and timber building features unique arches that open up to large terraces spanning the width of the building. The remaining three penthouses on top of the concrete building will feature glassy facades that opens up to panoramic views.

Five distinct new penthouses will sit atop the historic structures. The design of the two above the brick and timber building features unique arches that open up to large terraces spanning the width of the building. The remaining three penthouses on top of the concrete building will feature glassy facades that opens up to panoramic views.

"We envisioned 168 Plymouth to be a contextually sensitive addition to the historic Dumbo neighborhood it joins," says Jared Della Valle, CEO and co-founder of Dumbo based real estate company Alloy Development. "As one of the last loft conversions in Dumbo, it was important for us to protect the unique character and feel of each building."

A birds-eye view looking west down Plymouth Street toward the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park. The new glassy penthouses are juxtaposed with the concrete building's Arts and Crafts-style cornice, while the adjacent building's penthouses mimic the rounded arch style of their brick and timber counterpart.

A birds-eye view looking west down Plymouth Street toward the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park. The new glassy penthouses are juxtaposed with the concrete building's Arts and Crafts-style cornice, while the adjacent building's penthouses mimic the rounded arch style of their brick and timber counterpart.

Residences at 168 Plymouth range from one-to-four-bedrooms, with a mix of townhouses, lofts, and modern penthouses starting at $1,4,00,000 and going up to over $6,000,000. For more information, visit the property website or contact Karen Heyman of Sotheby's International Realty.

Related Lofty Reading:

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