An unmistakable beacon of Brooklyn’s ultra-desirable Dumbo neighborhood, Clock Tower Building is the gold standard when it comes to post-industrial loft conversions. First constructed by turn-of-the-20th Century industrialist Robert Gair as a cardboard box factory, the massive 240,000 square-foot facility was transformed into a 124-unit residence by high-profile developer David Walentas in 1998. “He did an amazing job because most of the original kitchens and bathrooms are still in place,” says Karen Heyman, a Realtor with Douglas Elliman who has been selling in Dumbo and the building for over 20 years. “Like with Clock Tower, the neighborhood is very sticky in the respect that people want to stay living here. When it first opened, I sold two units to friends, and they’ve only been turned over six times each ever since. I’ve seen the penthouse change hands a few times as well.” According to online magazine Curbed, the record-breaking $25 million sale of this 7000-square-foot triplex in 2010 — which includes the actual four-sided clock spire turned solarium and an additional 360-degree roof deck — was a major milestone in the Brooklyn market’s multi-decade shift upwards. “The views are really the main draw,” Heyman adds.
Sprawling blank slate residences with solid bones
The 15-story, Neoclassical property’s oversized 1400 to 2600-square-foot lofts have been home to high-profile residents like starchitect Bjarke Ingels. According to Heyman, an extra 18 inches were added between each floor during conversion which improves greatly on acoustics. While one bedrooms have sold for between $1.7 million and $2.6 million, two bedrooms hover around the $3.5 million mark. Three and four bedrooms range from $2.9 million to $4.5 million, depending on size and position in the building. Each home is imbued with 11-foot-high beamed ceilings and large original but restored windows that bring in ample amounts of natural light. More than half have vistas of the waterfront; all three Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges, and the Financial District just across the East River.
Distinctly outfitted units
While most residences still retain their original layout and suite of finishes, several of the residences have been combined or gut-renovated over time. On the market in summer 2024 for $8.6 million, penthouse unit 14 was retrofitted by edgy New York architect firm Worrell & Yeung in 2018. The practice introduced oak-paneled, vertical raked-pattern inserts to break up the 3,208 square-foot open plan unit. “This apartment is so much about the views, so we clustered the program elements into two separate volumes to free up the perimeter," firm principal Max Worrell explains. “The two wood volumes that define the space are essentially fraternal twins made from the same material yet different in scale and texture.” Worrell and Yeung introduced a monolithic terrazzo kitchen island and deployed a contrasting yet complementary material palette throughout. This unique full 14th-floor unit sits a few levels under the previously mentioned triplex penthouse, which recently sold for $18 million. It contains a bathtub that literally looks out onto New York Harbor. Both residences are accessed through a private key elevator.
Sufficient amenities and neighborhood attractions
According to Heyman, the focus in these types of industrial loft conversion buildings is more on the units themselves rather than on abounding amenity spaces. That said, Clock Tower Building does have a sizeable gym on a high floor and an adjoining common roof deck. The basement contains a bike room and large storage lockers. “There’s a really fine staff,” she notes. A 24-hour concierge helms the monumental marble-clad lobby. Clock Tower Building is smack dab in the middle of Dumbo, which, other than being a popular spot for tourists to pose for pictures in front of one of the iconic bridges, boasts a whole host of hip restaurants, bespoke boutiques and creative industry studios. Brooklyn Bridge Park isn’t far either, nor is the Dumbo ferry stop, which provides a quick link to Wall Street. A nearby subway station is served by the F line, which offers reliable service up through the middle of Manhattan and much of BoCoCa, Brooklyn, in the other direction. A large Wegmans grocery store can be found close by in the Navy Yard.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
84/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
99/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Brooklyn Bridge Park
6 min walk
Susan Smith McKinney Steward Park
6 min walk
Playground
Hillside Dog Park
6 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Maritcha R. Lyons Park
7 min walk
Trails
Playground
Cadman Plaza Park
8 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
Squibb Park
8 min walk
Basketball
Tennis
Playground
Trinity Park
14 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
East River Waterfront Esplanade
7 min drive
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Coleman Playground
7 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Dog Park
Skateboard
Schools
Source:
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