Red Hook – The Last Horizon
by Laura Wagner & Aldo Andreoli

Having lived in New York since birth, I had thought there were few surprises left. I wrote a column about life in the city, with all the slings and arrows attached, I worked for many years as a residential real estate broker. I had seen it all … more and more through a jaded lens. I held little hope for the unexpected and grew suspicious of those who promised me a rose garden – they did not exist.

But when I was taken to Red Hook, last summer, I was proven wrong. I was stunned by the sheer magic it possessed. I was reminded of that same accelerated heartbeat I had experienced when first visiting Soho back in the day – as in the ‘60s.

Raw, rough, gritty and sublime.

I had known about this industrial section of New York, but mainly by name only. The reality exceeded expectations and I wanted to learn more.

As recently as last summer the plans presented by NYHUD (New York Housing and Urban Development) to revitalize the Atlantic Basin became daily news. The areas surrounding the basin, specifically Red Hook, have been rising on the radarscreen of those hip enough to ‘get it’!

John Steinbeck’s description of Cannery Row, his novel about the waterfront district in Monterey California, flashes to the foreground as I am experiencing a déjà vu with the waterfront in Red Hook. The exuberance of the people and place seems to capture the mood of the natives of this Brooklyn neighborhood currently on the cusp of old-world and hip. The portraits created in Cannery Row evoke a segment of those who put the highest values on camaraderie in a collective spirit – similar in many ways to those whose lifelong mission has been in the preservation of Red Hook.

Saving the Soul

The first of many RH tales centers around NYPD’s former detective Greg O’Connell Sr, who in 1974 visited Red Hook and became involved in the redevelopment of the area. He began by buying and rehabilitating dozens of residential and commercial properties. It was a form of long-term sustainability. He intended to find businesses that would complement each other. It is with the same imaginative and innovative mindset that others have followed suit. O’Connell is still a respected figure in Red Hook’s historic preservation.

Unlike its fashionable neighbors i.e. Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, and Williamsburg – Red Hook has stood the test of time by staying true to its former past. Those most desirable and newly exalted ‘hoods have fallen victim to the vicious cycle of gentrification. By succumbing to the temptation of enduring another designer-chef along with their cast of followers, artists have been forced out for investment-bankers and the like, and are currently in the market for newer less provocative areas to explore – and so it goes.

Red Hook remains on the fringe of guts and grit.

Until the turn of the century, the mere mention of Brooklyn conjured thoughts of the have-nots. Suddenly specific sections of this neighborhood, that began as industrial hubs like Williamsburg became as hip as Tribeca. A star is born

The development of 160 Imlay Street, one of the twin New York Dock Buildings in Red Hook, dramatically changed the demographics of this Brooklyn neighborhood.The other twin building is the art warehouse for the renowned auction house Christie’s. Red Hook has since become a melting pot for creatives, artisans, and food enthusiasts. And unlike Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and downtown Brooklyn, it has maintained its integrity by continuing to offer live/work options that are out of the mainstream. At least for now, while it remains an insider’s secret and not on the wish list of most Brooklyn ‘wannabes’.

Red Hook is still a hidden gem.

A tale of history and greed

Red Hook had been in the news when it took a sudden turn due to the demolition of the historic Lidgerwood Building located at 202 Coffey Street, becoming part of UPS’ redevelopment plans. This magnificent structure dating back to the 1880s played a significant role in Red Hook’s industrial history. This late 19^th-century building was characterized by its sturdy brick walls, wooden trusses, and doors crafted from sizeable steel panels. The industrial elements embodied a sense of old New York warehouses exuding a timeless allure.  Despite community protests and efforts to preserve it, UPS cited safety concerns and structural instability, as the reasons for it’s sudden demolition. Activists have fought the destruction as a loss of Red Hook’s historic identity. They had hoped to repurpose parts of the building to maintain its connection to the neighborhood’s past but negotiations with UPS did not succeed and most of the site has been reduced to rubble. The loss of this historic building brought outrage from the community and preservation lovers.

As for UPS – it inherited 13 priceless acres of vacant land overlooking one of the most iconic views in New York; which includes maritime activity, skylines, and a mix of prominent landmarks.Sadly the only memory is the free-standing crumbling façade; a symbol of a preservationist’s nightmare.

One can’t help but wonder about UPS’s decision to disfigure the landscape of this extraordinary site by demolishing all of 202 Coffey’s surrounding buildings. What are they planning?

Before UPS’ acquisition, a few select architects designed a master plan for this area preserving 202 Coffey as a landmark anchor of a new sustainable waterfront development. Among this group, Italian architect Aldo Andreoli also designed a series of townhouses appropriately named ‘seriality’ on King and Sullivan Streets. It was a combination of the light casting off New York Harbor and the vision of like-minded artists drawn to this neighborhood that made this development a success. The original patch of land was home to warehouses dating back to the ‘70s but with the advantage of being located on a prime residential block. Aldo was quoted as saying that ‘the townhouse was an interesting concept based on its iconic reference to life in America. By creating facades that differ from one another, the specific intention was to represent the eclectic character of this neighborhood. ’Aldo’s foresight enabled success in this development at a time when Red Hook was more remote.

He is once again creating plans for 40,000 square feet of unfinished space back at 160 Imlay Street. The intention is to add a restored vitality to RH with many creative possibilities in the world of wellness, visual arts, and community lifestyles.