Brooklyn Army Terminal to celebrate 100th anniversary with block party

September 6, 2018 By Jaime DeJesus Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The Brooklyn Army Terminal, Sunset Park’s commercial and industrial powerhouse, will celebrate its centennial on Saturday, Sept. 15. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Army Terminal

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The Brooklyn Army Terminal on the Sunset Park waterfront, one of the most important industrial and commercial complexes in Brooklyn, will be celebrating its 100th anniversary with its first-ever BAT Block Party on Sept. 15.

The Army Terminal, whose warehouses were among the world’s largest concrete structures when they were completed in 1919, served as a U.S. Army facility until 1967. In this role, it was perhaps best known as the place from which Pvt. Elvis Presley shipped off for Germany in 1958.

After the facility, which encompasses more than 95 acres, was acquired by the city in 1981, it was repurposed as a facility for light industrial and commercial activity. Among its current tenants are Lowercase, an optical firm; Green Mustache, which manufactures drinks and snacks; chocolatier Jacques Torres; Altronics, which makes security, access control and surveillance products; and Urban Green Furniture, an eco-friendly furniture brand.

The free event will include festivities such as outdoor concert performances, a beer and wine garden, art galleries, interactive video game experiences for the younger set, and food vendors and shops from BAT-based companies.

“We’re so excited for the first-ever BAT Block Party,” said Julie Stein, senior vice president, asset management at New York City Economic Development Corporation, which administers the facility. “This inaugural event will celebrate Brooklyn Army Terminal’s 100th birthday and will bring together Sunset Park residents, local businesses and New Yorkers from across the city.”

Stein added that BAT is also celebrating the completion of a major renovation project that has created 500,000 square feet of industrial space for modern manufacturing businesses.

The day, which begins at 11:30 a.m. and concludes at 8 p.m. at 140 58th Street, will include something for everyone.

“Attendees can expect a full free day of fun, family-friendly activities down at the waterfront of Sunset Park,” Stein said. “The event will feature tours of BAT’s stunning atrium space, artistic performances from local community groups, a wonderful array of shops by BAT tenants, musical performances, delicious food vendors, a beer garden, kids’ activities and much more.”

Among the highlights will be art exhibits from resident artists at ArtBuilt and ChaShaMa; shops curated by BAT-based companies like Uncommon Goods, City Saucery and Silly Phillie; and food selections from Mum’s Kitchen, among others. The beer and wine garden will feature vendors such as Five Boroughs Brewery and KCBC Brewery.

For the youngsters, there will be kite-making and crafts with the Singing Woods, with NYU Tandon and NYC Media Lab providing an augmented reality experience.

“We’re also excited to announce the headline musical performances,” Stein added. “We haven’t had such a big musical name at BAT since Elvis Presley deployed from the terminal for his military service.”

Free Brooklyn Army Terminal t-shirts and baseball hats will be given to the first 250 guests. To register and for more information, visit https://bit.ly/2LVvuU1.

–Additional material by Raanan Geberer, Brooklyn Daily Eagle