A Modern Beer Hall in Brooklyn by a World-Famous Architect - Remodelista
Photography by Douglas Lyle Thompson for Remodelista. Brooklyn urban entrepreneur and real estate developer Jonathan Butler got his start writing the real estate blog Brownstoner before cofounding the Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasburg. Working with the NYC-based German architect Annabelle Selldorf and her team at Selldorf Architects, Butler and Demby aimed to create a “modern yet timeless take on the beer hall concept. We were conscious of not creating a German theme park, just as we were very careful to avoid some of the design motifs that were in the process of becoming Brooklyn clichés,” he says. Selldorf’s design approach of prioritizing “clarity, function, and restraint” worked well with the constraints of the budget. The structurally damaged facade was completely rebuilt with wood-molded bricks. The expansive space of the main beer hall retains echos of its former life as a garage. The existing garage doors were replaced with operable storefront doors made from black-painted aluminum and glass. The Bermerhaven Zylinder Copper Pendants above the bar are from German company Bolichwerke and the Bodega I Bar Seating is by Niels Vodder, distributed by Matz Form. A mirror is used to reflect light and to add the illusion of depth for those sitting at the counter. The copper pendants from the Ebolicht Collection by German company Bolichwerke hang from the industrial ceiling. A portion of the existing roof from the garage building was removed to create an enclosed outdoor courtyard with teal French cafe seating. Selldorf extends the teal palette into the bathrooms as well. The all-day hours accommodate the creative community of the neighborhood and 1000 Dean, the adjacent commercial office and artists’ studio building. And if you’re planning a visit to Brooklyn, be sure to visit our favorite Design Haunts in the area in our City Guides.