Construction has topped out on 545 Metropolitan Avenue, a six-story mixed-use building in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Designed by Tony-Saba Shiber of Commoncraft Architecture and developed by Thomas Finnican of Patoma Inc., the project involves the vertical expansion of a one-story building into a 75-foot-tall cantilevering structure standing 74 feet tall. The building will span 7,233 square feet and yield six condominium units with an average scope of 991 square feet, as well as 1,289 square feet of commercial space and a 17-foot-long rear yard. 545 Metropolitan LP is listed as the owner of the property, which is located between Lorimer Street to the east and Union Avenue to the west.
Recent photographs show the steel-framed superstructure built to its flat parapet with a dramatic cantilever that extends well over the roof of the neighboring building to the west. The main southern elevation’s window grid has been formed with metal frame studs and purple insulation boards up to the sixth floor, and the blank lot line walls are enclosed in CMU blocks. Façade and window installation have yet to begin, but could likely get under way in the coming weeks after framing work is complete.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The cantilever features an angular configuration that widens toward the street elevation.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The structure is an expansion above the small one-story building on the property, as seen in the below Google Street View image.
545 Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn via Google Maps
No renderings or potential amenities have been revealed for the project. The nearest subway from the development site is the L train at the Metropolitan Avenue station, which offers free transfers to Lorimer Street station for the G train.
545 Metropolitan Avenue’s anticipated completion date is slated for spring 2025, as noted on site. However, sometime closer to the end of the year is more likely.
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Disgusting
Strange times.
Trying to squeeze in any additional density in high-demand Williamsburg is extremely difficult with today’s zoning code. No surprise that some developers will try to get creative. Williamsburg has only itself to blame for this…
Legalize new housing in Williamsburg!
Buildings like this should not be allowed. Zero aesthetics and total disregard for the neighboring buildings.
An abomination, caused by insane air rights regulations.
🤮
ISNT ILLEGAL TO CANTILEVER OVER AN ADJACENT BUILDING. SUPPOSE THE OWNER OF THAT BUILDING WANTS TO BIUILD HIGHER.
EVEN SO ITS A VERY UGLY PIECE OF ARCHITECTURE
TONY
The owner of that building clearly sold its development rights to the developer of the new building.
what a hideous purple and yellow color scheme
Are you for real?? This project is still being built and can’t finished yet. Get a grasp of construction before making such a stupid comment 🤦♂️
Surely that’s edgelord sarcasm.
Looks cool as hell. Always welcome some creative architecture in the neighborhood. Well done
Absolutely ridiculous. But, hey! It’s NYC.
Disgusting. They’re totally destroying Brooklyn.
The air rights are gone. The original building can’t build up. And yes, it’s an abomination.
So one assumes the developers purchased air rights from their neighbor over which the building cantilevers, so why have only one window…the neighbor sold the air rights and there is excess lot width. Also, I hope the lower level has a great deal of visual weight because at present the structure appears top heavy(again windows in the cantilevered portion would help).
Don’t worry. Instead of having a citywide design review board, we have an LPC who is hard at work making sure that backyard patio planters are the correct size and color.
The entire 500 block of homes is plagued with property grading, structural, plumbing, and electrical issues. It’s a nightmare and the number 5 is the problem. Conduct your own investigation!
I often wondered what happens to a cantilever when the building below catches fire.
Good insight. Wooden structure for smaller building. Two observations. New structure has gaping, open windows, sans glass or worker protections, as well as basic weather protections.
Lord, have mercy.
The architects of this crap are shamelessly prostitute themselves
in the service of greed, ugliness and callousness.
Their building will scar this neighborhood for decades.
It’s a prime – and genuine – example of NOT in my back yard.
If you don’t want buildings like this, support major changes to zoning in Williamsburg, and other neighborhoods, to allow more coordinated housing development as is happening in Long Island City. Simply saying no is like trying to hold back the ocean.
What is the maximum length of the cantilever? And a 3-blade ceiling fan should also be installed under the cantilever beam: Thanks.
I think it’s hilarious! Somebody needs to make a coffee table book of these buildings.
The good news here is that the clowns now have a place to stay when they’re not at the circus.
those other buildings look like those shantys in a third world country
It appears that the owners of the property next door CAN build up a story or two to enlarge their building, selling the air rights HIGH above them, not starting right at their roofline.
Building is an eye sore