Two Trees Revitalizes 460K SF Domino Sugar Factory, a Historic Brooklyn Landmark

The Domino Sugar Factory, a historic landmark in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has been transformed into a 15-story, 460,000-square-foot Class A office complex known as the Refinery at Domino. Developed by Two Trees Management, the Refinery is the second commercial building on the 11-acre Domino Sugar Factory site in Williamsburg, alongside the fully occupied Ten Grand Street. It is a valuable addition to the Williamsburg, Brooklyn waterfront and a testament to Two Trees Management's commitment to creating vibrant and sustainable communities.

A renovated classic: The Refinery's architectural transformation, led by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, involved integrating a modern glass structure into the existing brick façade, requiring a 12-foot gap between the new and old constructions to achieve uniform floor heights. The building now features a large-scale green environment, designed by landscape architecture firm Field Operations, with seventeen 30-foot American sweet gum and native pin oak trees, along with lush plantings, forming a vertical garden lining the building's perimeter. Bonetti/Kozerski executed the interior design, and dencityworks served as the executive architect.

An honest homage: Preserving the heritage of the past, the Refinery retains some of the original architectural elements of the Havemeyer building, such as varied window styles and sizes, remnants of sugar manufacturing machinery, and a towering 214-foot chimney. The iconic “Domino Sugar” neon sign has also been updated with an energy-efficient LED replica.

The new project and its amenities: The all-electric development boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive floor plates of up to 33,000 square feet, and a 27,000-square-foot glass dome penthouse offering panoramic views, communal workspaces, and private club and event areas. Tenants can also enjoy a triple-height atrium lobby with full-service concierge and security, as well as a dedicated bicycle lobby with a separate entrance, ramp, and secure bike parking.

Environmentally conscious: The Refinery at Domino operates on an all-electric mechanical system, making it one of the few large buildings in the city to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. Additionally, the building incorporates a private water reuse system, treating and reusing all wastewater generated onsite.

Much more than one building: The complex also encompasses 60,000 square feet of retail space, including a fitness club with an indoor pool and full-service gym. Adjacent to the Refinery is Domino Square, an outdoor events and programming venue that complements Domino Park. A section of the penthouse has been developed by Skylight, a venue development firm, serving as Brooklyn's newest event space, which hosted the Hermès Menswear Runway Show during New York Fashion Week in early September 2023.

The Refinery at Domino is a shining example of how historic landmarks can be revitalized into sustainable and modern spaces that meet the needs of the 21st century.