The first major commercial building to join the Brooklyn Cultural District’s development boom, 620 Fulton Street, broker ground last week.
Architecture firm Francis Cauffman designed the building. Skanska USA is the construction manager.
The 12-story building is scheduled for completion in late 2016.
It will include 180,000 s/f of healthcare, office and retail space, with an outdoor plaza connecting to other public spaces in the neighborhood. The project replaces a surface parking lot.
“The new building is part of the transformation of the Brooklyn Cultural District into a 24/7 community,” said James Crispino, AIA, NCARB, president and principal designer at Francis Cauffman.
“It complements residential development in the district by adding a place where people can work, eat and shop. As designers, we are proud to help create an environment for multiple activities, anchored by a medical facility built to better serve patients.”
Tom Webb, executive vice president and general manager of Skanska USA Building’s Metro New York Office, added, “The new Brooklyn Health Center is yet another great opportunity for our company to build what really matters to people in their communities,” said Tom Webb, executive vice president and general manager of Skanska USA Building’s Metro New York Office.
“We are proud to be a part of lasting, sustainable growth solutions in the Fort Greene neighborhood and look forward to delivering a state-of-the art healthcare facility for the hotel union workers across the city.”
The healthcare provider serving the city hotel workers union will be the primary occupant, using five floors to house its Brooklyn Health Center.
Names of a major corporate tenant, retail tenants and the restaurant have not been announced.
Francis Cauffman designed 620 Fulton Street in a way that will give passersby changing impressions of the building from different vantage points.
The building’s teardrop shape reflects the trapezoidal site. A textured glass façade will curve around the building, and a 12-story mural will cover the south-facing wall. On the interior, there will be no waiting rooms. Patients will check in at kiosks, or with smartphones, and be assigned exam rooms.
