Take a tour through Brooklyn’s changing architectural landscape with expert John Hill and see some of the most striking structures in the borough. These are four of the attractions he’ll cover on his tour — which you can go see yourself without him — but then you’ll miss him divulge his knowledge about the buildings’ architecture and histories.
Barclays Center
Ever wonder why Brooklyn’s new arena has rusty-looking panels? The new home of the Brooklyn Nets has “pre-weathered” exterior meant to evoke Brooklyn’s old brownstone buildings, alongside a public plaza that links to the Atlantic Center subway station — and was first designed to be much bigger.
Higgins Hall at Pratt Institute
A raging fire destroyed this branch of the university, prompting a vibrant new architectural design that glows soft yellow light at night. The structure features glass planks, translucent installation and two-fold skylights that architects rave is an “ingenious urban infill,” linking the campus to the surrounding neighborhood.
Wythe Hotel
Williamsburg’s converted factory hotel features 72 industrial-chic rooms and a modern art-inspired “hotel” sign that lights up at dusk. The luxury hotel’s stripped-down interior features iron columns, timber planks and worn-out ceiling tracks. Its innovative design was created to maximize skyline views.
351 Keap Street homes
Brooklyn’s first “shipping crate container” home taps into a hip urban architecture trend, is big enough to fix two families — and has a roof deck to maximize views and space.
Reach reporter Natalie O'Neill at noneill@cnglocal.com or by calling her at (718) 260-4505.