Front & York
DUMBO is a historic and charming neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. Consisting of two sections, DUMBO (short for Down Under the Manhattan Overpass) begins at the eastern side of the Brooklyn Bridge, extends past the Manhattan Bridge, and ends at the western border of Vinegar Hill. It is a unique neighborhood that reflects a bespoke architectural style specific to its industrial history. The area's newest development, Front & York (85 Jay Street), has 728 units split between 408 condo units and 320 rental units. The building features premium residential amenities and Brooklyn's largest private courtyard park, designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. The building, which occupies the entire city block, has an intentional "community within a community" feel. The complex-like building was developed by CIM Group and LIVWRK and designed by Morris Adjmi Architects. The elevator contractor is Contractor Services, and the elevator consultant was VDA.
“From the architecture down to the elevator design, this attention to detail makes Front & York so unique and sets it apart.”
The architects took inspiration from details found throughout the neighborhood, both large and small, and created something exceptional in return. The base of the building borrows from the neighboring Manhattan Bridge, with its steel blue arches. The facade of this massive building has "extensive brickwork and large windows [that] define the upper levels of the building, where two extruded towers provide unobstructed views. Here masonry cavity walls on a CMU backdrop create a grid within a 3-foot-wide glass-fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) superframe, an aesthetic inspired by the humble and historic steel factory window." Working in conjunction with Morris Adjmi Architects, who are also responsible for the elevator designs found within Front & York, we installed and manufactured ten new passenger elevators and three new freight elevators. The passenger elevators feature two different designs. The building is split into four sections, A, B, C, and D.
“Positioned in narrow slats, the laminate wraps around the entire elevator using radial corners to create an encapsulating effect on the rider.”
The elevators within sections A/D have an all-laminate design composed of Applewood Dark laminate by Octopus Products. Positioned in narrow slats, the laminate wraps around the entire elevator using radial corners to create an encapsulating effect on the rider. In addition, blackened stainless steel in a non-directional finish furnishes all of the fronts, bases, doors, and reveals throughout the elevator cab - for a sleek and modern touch. Finally, the ceiling features a blackened stainless steel drop frame that supports the 3form Varia Ecoresin resin panels, which act as a diffuser for the LightLam light system by Optolum that illuminates the elevator.
Sections B/C of Front & York feature a contrasting design compared to sections A/D. These cabs have an upper and lower structure.
Sections B/C of Front & York feature a contrasting design compared to sections A/D. These cabs have an upper and lower structure. Three full section panels make up the upper portion of these elevators. They are furnished in custom stained White Oak slats, wider than those found in section A/D. The lower panels were manufactured using Area Pearl Matte porcelain by Nemo Tile. Three tile pieces were used for each lower panel section of the elevator. Both the upper and lower panels are self edged with stainless steel. Stainless steel in a non-directional finish furnishes all fronts, bases, doors, and reveals throughout the elevator cab. Finally, the ceiling features a stainless steel drop frame that supports the 3from Varia Ecoresin resin panels, which act as a diffuser for the LightLam light system by Optolum that illuminates the elevator.
Front & York sets a new standard for luxury living with its luxurious amenities and design. The building was intentionally designed to fit into the existing fabric of DUMBO. Its careful use of historic features makes it one of the most unique new buildings in the area. There are thoughtful details and surprises everywhere you turn inside Front & York. From the architecture down to the elevator design, this attention to detail makes Front & York so unique and sets it apart.
