DUMBO housing stock
DUMBO developed as an industrial neighborhood between 1860 and 1920, with massive brick warehouses, factory buildings, and counting houses serving the East River waterfront. The buildings are larger than typical Brooklyn residential — six, eight, sometimes ten stories, with broad masonry facades and original cast iron storefronts.
Most of these buildings were converted to residential lofts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The exteriors generally retain their original character: large-scale brickwork, decorative cornices, granite or sandstone trim, and arched window openings.
Common deterioration patterns in DUMBO
DUMBO buildings face industrial-scale issues:
- Massive brick facades needing repointing — the volume of work per building is several times that of a typical brownstone.
- Cast iron restoration — many DUMBO storefronts have original cast iron columns and pediments that need scraping, priming, and proper coating.
- Industrial-scale cornices — these are major projects in their own right.
- Side and rear wall exposure — many DUMBO buildings have exposed side walls visible from the streets or from the water.
Landmark & LPC status
The DUMBO Historic District (designated 2007) covers most of the neighborhood. Almost all visible exterior work requires LPC review. The standards are appropriate to the industrial scale of the buildings — meaning the materials and methods are different from a typical row house, but the rigor is the same.
Serving DUMBO
DUMBO is well within our active service area, and we welcome new projects here. While our recent project history has been concentrated in nearby neighborhoods, the housing stock in DUMBO is closely related — and our knowledge of the materials, restoration techniques, and LPC processes carries over directly.
If you are the first DUMBO project we work on, you will get the same attention, the same on-site supervision, and the same standards of work we bring to every facade in Brooklyn or Manhattan.
How to start
The fastest way is a phone call to Sajin at 631-464-8200. We will set up a time to come to DUMBO and look at your building. The walkaround is free, takes 30–60 minutes, and there is no obligation to move forward.
If you prefer to send photos and details first, use the contact form. We typically respond within one business day.