The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights welcomes residents to Brooklyn's first luxury retirement community

By CityRealty Staff | From Brooklyn Heights Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Terrace via Barry Hyman

In the wake of an extensive renovation, The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights has welcomed its first residents to New York’s first luxury retirement community in 20 years and the first in Brooklyn. The building offers 275 stylish apartments and over 50,000 square feet of resort-caliber amenities, but its greatest perk may be its address in the heart of the Brooklyn Heights Historic District at 21 Clark Street. It is up the street from Truman Capote’s house, around the corner from The Standish, where Matt Damon recently moved into his penthouse, and enjoys a rich history all its own.

The 16-story building at 21 Clark Street was originally constructed in 1928 as the Leverich Towers Hotel, which served as the pre-game home of the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1930’s and 1940’s. When the Jehovah’s Witnesses bought the property as housing for its local volunteer force, the organization started to restore the building’s distinctive architectural features. However, after Watermark Retirement Communities and Kayne Anderson Real Estate bought the building for $200 million in 2017, they poured another $130 million into renovations led by Montroy DeMarco Architecture that preserved much of the building’s original structure and historic details.

The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights via Barry Hyman

Interiors via Ola Wilk/Wilk Marketing Communications

The 275 studio through two-bedroom apartments comprise 145 independent living units, 88 assisted living units, and 42 memory care units. The original mahogany-trimmed windows were incorporated into the design and allow residents to enjoy incredible views and natural light. They also enjoy interiors by Andres Escobar, open floor plans, designer kitchen or kitchenettes, and modern baths with walk-in showers. The memory care area features enhanced security and safety features, as well as a carefully chosen color scheme to prevent overstimulation and circadian lighting to regulate sleep and wake cycles.

The W Room via Barry Hyman

Upon arrival, residents and visitors are greeted by a grand entryway and reception area with a European-style cafe and curated public art gallery overlooking The W Room, a double-height formal restaurant located in the formal hotel ballroom. Additional culinary offerings include the Willow & Clark Cafe and the Mediterranean-inspired Gustoso & Family restaurant. The Biblio, an elegant library, wine bar, and salon, boasts walnut wood panels and shelving, leather and velvet sofas and armchairs, and silver-colored, ornamental tin ceiling tiles.

Pool via Barry Hyman

Two levels of leisure amenities include a beauty salon, spa, creative arts studio, movement studio, movie theater, and performing arts center. Lower-level wellness amenities include a fitness studio, movement room for group fitness classes, warm-water therapy pool, and wellness center. The memory care area is home to a private outdoor courtyard as well as The Greenhouse, an indoor horticultural therapy and planting room. And to top it all off, a 16th-story club room and terrace looks out on breathtaking views of New York Harbor, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline.

The opening comes at a time when the number of New Yorkers aged 65 and over grew by 19.2 percent, faster than the growth of total population, from 2005 to 2015. With more New Yorkers choosing to retire in the city than ever, The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights is part of a growing number of new high-end developments with luxurious amenities and staff attuned to senior care.