Architectural firm LEESER was engaged several years ago by an unknown developer to design a mixed-use master plan to sit atop Downtown Brooklyn’s Macy’s department store 422 Fulton Street /11 Hoyt Street and its connecting parking garage to the east. Tishman Speyer was eventually selected to purchase the Macy's department store building and its unused air rights. Their plans have yet to be fully announced, but a look at LEESER's never-to-be-built renderings may give us a hint of what's in store.
The concept's centerpiece tower would rise 80 stories and was specifically designed to allow Macy’s to remain open during construction and to maintain its classic Art Deco facade. LEESER's Architizer page reveals a a collection of new images showing the soaring 910-foot tower coupled by a pair of two glassy high-rises on the parking garage site.
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The 80 story tower would encompass 1.2 million-square-feet and host 230 condominiums and 468 rental units. The pair of towers to the east would rise 390 feet and feature 200,000 square feet of retail space and a public plaza, along with 248 condos and 308 rental units.
The renderings were likely produced a few years ago during a competitive bidding process to purchase Macy's two large parcels and are not related to what the selected developer, Tishman Speyer, is proposing. Heavyweights such as Thor Equities and Vornado Realty Trust were also reported to be eying the parcel. Brookfield Properties was also in contention, and commissioned Beyer Blinder Belle to design a potential vision as well.
Ultimately, Tishman Speyer was selected in 2015, purchasing the department store building for $170 million. No release on what the legendary firm plans to do with the addition air right but the deal allows Macy's to occupy 278,000 square feet of space along five floors. The remainder of the building will be converted into office space. The Wall Street Journal revealed renderings of the smaller store that will offer spruced up and swankier interiors. Renderings depict new columns, new ceilings, metal-and-glass canopies over entrances, and video screens surrounding escalators.
A representative on behalf of Tishman Speyer reached out to us stating that LEESER's concept plan shown above was not commissioned by Tishman Speyer.
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