Featuring a broad range of recreational options for all ages, Domino Park is organized into three distinct programmatic areas, transitioning from more active uses near the Williamsburg Bridge at the southernmost end of the site to more passive uses at the northern end of the site. Reclaimed sugar refining and industrial artifacts are interspersed throughout the site, uncovering the story of sugar trade in New York and the sugar refining process that occurred on the site for over a century.
Park Features
ARTIFACT WALK
Drawing on the history of the 11-acre industrial site and the landmarked Refinery Building, the five-block long Artifact Walk at the north end of the site integrates over 30 large-scale, hand-picked pieces of salvaged factory machinery along the waterfront. The Artifact Walk also includes 21 columns from the Raw Sugar Warehouse and approximately 585 linear feet of crane tracks from the site that is incorporated into the design of the park as well as four 36-feet tall cylindrical tanks that collected syrup during the refining process, mooring bollards, bucket elevators, and various dials and meters from the factory with original signage.WATERFRONT ESPLANADEThe 1,200-foot-long waterfront esplanade provides a continuous walk along the East River with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and Williamsburg Bridge.PASSIVE RECREATION PARK At the northern end of Domino Park, the passive recreation area from South 2nd Street to Grand Street will include a Japanese Pine garden at the entry which leads to the Artifact Walk, a 80-100 person picnic area, a food kiosk, a kids play space inspired by the sugar refining process, a large sloping lawn and an urban beach with a flat shaded lawn area and chaise lounges.
WATERFRONT ESPLANADE
The 1,200-foot-long waterfront esplanade provides a continuous walk along the East River with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and Williamsburg Bridge.
PASSIVE RECREATION PARK
At the northern end of Domino Park, the passive recreation area from South 2nd Street to Grand Street will include a Japanese Pine garden at the entry which leads to the Artifact Walk, a 80-100 person picnic area, a food kiosk, a kids play space inspired by the sugar refining process, a large sloping lawn and an urban beach with a flat shaded lawn area and chaise lounges.
CENTRAL GATHERING SPACE
Flanked by the passive and active recreation areas, Water Square encapsulates five separate gathering spaces for park patrons, including a 4-tiered seating area that affords views of the East River and the Refinery building, and overlooks the Central Water Feature that can be specially programed in the summer. At the water’s edge, there is a sunken area with a series of River Viewing Steps. At the edge of Water Square, four salvaged syrup tanks from the Refinery are embedded in the Syrup Tank Garden, paying homage to its neighboring landmark.
The active recreation area consists of interactive spaces for visitors including a 1,750-square foot linear Dog Run, two Bocce Courts, a 6,300-square foot Flexible Playing Field for various sports, and a Volleyball Court.
RESILIENCE
The park and open space incorporate resilient design approach including raising the platform two to seven feet above the new FEMA flood elevations ensuring that the site will be protected from flooding. The park includes a sustainable plant palette contributing to coastal resilience including a mix of nearly 175 trees. on the site for over a century.
About Domino Sugar Factory Redevelopment Plan
With the redevelopment of the Domino Sugar Factory, Two Trees Management is creating a spectacular, 11-acre, mixed-use community just north of the Williamsburg Bridge. Designed by SHoP Architects, the master planners for the whole redevelopment, 325 Kent is the first residential building to open at the site and includes exceptional ground floor retailers including Sky Ting Yoga, Mekelburg’s, a restaurant by Michelin-star chef Missy Robbins, Modern Chemist and a local wine store.The second mixed-use building being developed at the site, 260 Kent, designed by COOKFOX Architects, is a 330-unit residential building that will have 66 units of affordable housing, 150,000 square feet of commercial and 15,000 square feet of retail. Located on Grand Street and Kent Avenue, 260 Kent will stand 42 stories and consist of two interlocking buildings with an all-white precast concrete façade. Working closely with the Partnership for Architecture and Urbanism, Two Trees is transforming the landmarked Domino Sugar Refinery building into a unique, custom-designed, 380,000-square foot office campus, that simultaneously preserves the historic façade that has long been an icon on the Brooklyn waterfront.
