Brooklyn Boro

‘Brooklyn Tower’ at 9 DeKalb tops out at 1,066 feet

Borough’s first 'supertall’ building will be 93 stories

November 1, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
Share this:

JDS Development Group and SHoP Architects on Monday announced the topping out of The Brooklyn Tower at 9 DeKalb Ave. in Brooklyn — the borough’s first supertall skyscraper — at 1,066 feet. 

The landmarked Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn has been creatively incorporated into the new building, which soars to 93 stories and sets a new standard for the borough. 

According to a statement from JDS, “The tower’s striking form draws inspiration from the hexagonal composition and patterning of the historic Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn and its landmarked interior, where locals could once open a savings account for as little as a dime. Designed by esteemed architects Halsey, McCormack & Helmer (1931-1932), a significant expansion of Mowbray & Uffinger’s building (1906-1908) on the same site, the historic structure has been celebrated by critics for its civic-minded urban design and was designated a New York City landmark in 1994.”

Decommissioned as a working bank, the space will become publicly accessible once again as a new retail flagship. The 115-year-old structure is being carefully restored and thoughtfully integrated with the new tower through the introduction of a retail entry at Flatbush Avenue Extension and at Fleet Street (one of the tower’s two entrances), where residents will enter the tower’s main lobby through the Ionic colonnade. On the roof deck, residents will be able to swim, lounge, and barbeque around the historic dome.

A rendering of the Brooklyn Tower as seen from Albee Square. In the front is the landmarked Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn, which is being incorporated into the new building. Rendering courtesy of JDS Development Group

The Brooklyn Tower incorporates white marble at its base, and evolves to blackened stainless steel and shades of bronze and copper as the tower ascends. The facade powerfully holds its shape, texture and materiality at every angle, deploying a wide variety of fluted, cylindrical and triangular shapes arranged in a strongly vertical composition between oversize glass panes, according to the developer. 

“The design of the Brooklyn Tower honors the undeniable spirit, expressive culture, and rich diversity and history that Brooklyn is known for, standing proud as a symbol of these everlasting attributes,” JDS said.

The Brooklyn Tower, 9 DeKalb Ave., under construction in late August of this year. Wikimedia photo by Griss Jr

The Brooklyn Tower is bound by DeKalb Avenue, Fleet Street and Flatbush Avenue Extension in Downtown Brooklyn. It has access to 13 subway lines, 11 commuter trains via the LIRR at Atlantic Center, and 22 Citi Bike stations.  Downtown Brooklyn is the third-largest central business district in New York City and home to a robust technology and innovation sector, shopping along Fulton Street and nearby Atlantic Avenue, and more than 100 arts and cultural institutions, including the Brooklyn Museum, BRIC, Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Barclays Center. 

“Today marks a significant milestone for Brooklyn and New York City as The Brooklyn Tower reaches its peak, continuing Brooklyn’s long history of design innovation and bold thinking,” said Michael Stern, founder and CEO of JDS Development. “We take great pride in the thoughtful work that SHoP and our JDS Construction team have done to create this unprecedented new tower, while carefully preserving the historic Brooklyn landmark.”

The Brooklyn Tower is the third large-scale, mixed-use project by JDS and SHoP in New York City, which includes 111 West 57th Street on Central Park (another supertall building) and the American Copper Buildings on the East River. 

“The SHoP team is thrilled to be a part of a project that is so impactful to one of the world’s most acclaimed skylines,” said Gregg Pasquarelli, founding principal of SHoP Architects. “As more people look to move to Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, the detail that went into the texture and shape of the structure was critical. We wanted it to remain authentic, with that baroque, Brooklyn charm, but also look crisp and modern to capture the borough’s constant state of growth and influence.” 

The Brooklyn Tower features approximately 550 residences—150 residences for purchase and 400 residences for lease—with almost 100,000 square feet of retail at its base. The project also includes over 100,000 square feet of amenities, including health and fitness facilities. Thirty percent of the rentals are designated as affordable housing.

Subscribe to our newsletters


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment