They came, they saw, they ate cupcakes.
The who’s who of the borough lived it up at the “It’s All About Brooklyn!” party launching Skylight One Hanson.
The ground floor of the landmarked Williamsburg Savings Bank building at One Hanson Place is now open as a high-end event venue for weddings, fashion shows and galas.
“This building is gorgeous. It is our landmark,” said Borough President Marty Markowitz. “If you have a very special event, this is the place to rent.”
Lucky revelers at the launch party seemed greatly impressed by the 128-foot-long, 72-foot-wide banking hall, which remains as beautiful and ornate as it was on opening day.
In a quirky twist, bartenders were stationed at bank teller booths. Fortunately, deposit slips were not required for a vodka tonic.
“It’s pretty ingenious to use the teller booths like bars,” said Evan Johnson, who traveled from New Jersey for the bash.
In the massive room, which boasts a 63-foot vaulted ceiling adorned with gold mosaics, guests sampled gourmet hors d’oeuvres of beef short ribs with rosemary, duck confit and the tiniest slice of beef tenderloin you can imagine.
Dessert was a hit thanks to Wine Cellar Sorbets’ strawberry-flavored rosé frozen treat and Kumquat Cupcakes’ unique creations, especially the maple cinnamon cake topped with vanilla frosting and a slice of crisp bacon.
Unsurprisingly, the star sweet was Cake Man Raven’s famous red velvet cake, which was served in cupcake form (endless platters were a real treat), as well as a giant cake shaped like the One Hanson Place building.
Fort Greene resident Barbora Venckumaite was happy to attend the party and sample the snacks.
“It’s a beautiful space,” she said. “I live in the neighborhood so I pass by and always wondered what it is. It’s amazing.”
Shante Cozier of MoCADA, a gallery in Fort Greene, was concerned about whether the new venue would truly provide a boost to the local community – or simply cater to wealthy Manhattan residents.
“The target crowd is not the people who live here, which isn’t the greatest thing,” she said.
Regardless of what the future holds for Skylight One Hanson, it will always have a special place in Brooklynites’ hearts, Markowitz said.
“While there is another building that claims to be a few feet taller, this will always be the tallest building in Brooklyn,” Markowitz said.
Check out Skylight One Hanson at www.skylightonehanson.com.
