Residential

144 Vanderbilt Avenue

Brooklyn, New York

Projects // 144 Vanderbilt Avenue

Brooklyn Character, Reimagined

144 Vanderbilt Avenue delivers a refined vision for contemporary urban living shaped by thoughtful massing, material clarity and enduring craft. Designed by SO–IL, the 26 two- to four-bedroom residences reflect Brooklyn’s layered character while establishing a distinctive architectural presence at the intersection of Vanderbilt and Myrtle Avenues.

Wells collaborated closely with the design team to translate the sculptural vision into a buildable, high-performing facade system suited for a dense urban environment. Using prefabricated concrete panels, Wells helped realize the bespoke scalloped facade in warm, pink-toned concrete, incorporating acid-washed and sandblasted finishes that introduce subtle variation across the surface. As light shifts throughout the day, the exterior is animated by shadow and depth, balancing visual softness with the permanence of concrete.

Contractor: KSK Construction Group arrow_outward
Architect: SO-IL Office LTD arrow_outward KANE AUD Architects arrow_outward
Engineer: TYLin arrow_outward
Owner: Tankhouse arrow_outward
Year: 2025
Size: 89,847 sq ft
Building Systems: Architectural
Design Features: Acid Etch, Architectural Features, Architectural Textures, Complex Shapes, Formliner, Sandblast

The building’s massing responds directly to its corner site, stepping down to a townhouse scale along Vanderbilt Avenue and rising to a taller urban form along Myrtle. Staggered heights, angled planes and intentional setbacks give each residence a sense of individuality within a cohesive whole, evoking the rhythm of a historic village rather than a singular monolith.

Oversized windows framed by prefabricated concrete panels anchor the facade while opening expansive views to Fort Greene Park, the surrounding neighborhood and the Manhattan skyline. Multiple exposures and private terraces strengthen connections to light, air and outdoor space throughout the residences.

Outdoor living is integral to the experience at 144 Vanderbilt Avenue. Landscaped courtyards, terraces and rooftop spaces extend daily life beyond the interior, supporting moments of gathering, reflection and retreat. These shared and private spaces reinforce a strong relationship between the building, its residents and the neighborhood beyond.

Rooted in its context yet unmistakably contemporary, 144 Vanderbilt Avenue adds a new architectural layer to Fort Greene. Its warm concrete tones complement the surrounding masonry streetscape while demonstrating how thoughtful collaboration, precision fabrication and material-led design can shape a residential experience built to endure.