Planning. In 2019 in concert with NYC Dept of City Planning’s (DCP) efforts to rezone the Gowanus neighborhood, XØ Projects Inc (XØp) and LMS Realty Associates LLC (LMS), completed a comprehensive design & feasibility study exploring approaches to expand The Old American Can Factory’s facilities and community in both scale and scope. Numerous plans were considered with a preferred scheme recommending a zoning lot merger with the adjacent vacant lot, yielding a total of 450,000 SF of buildable SF on the 1.5 acre zoning lot, a ‘large-scale development’.

Architecture. Designed by XØp with HOK Structural Engineering, two new buildings would accomodate all the additional SF, consisting of a new 60′ high basilica built on the adjacent lot, and a new 240′ tall steel-framed high-rise above, with a total height of 300′. The high-rise, would be supported partially by the basilica on the east, span 100′ over the existing mill building, and rest on the former powerhouse to the west. The bridge supporting the high-rise is set at 60′ above grade and would be set back 100′ from Third Street and 75′ from Third Avenue. The high-rise would be approached via an Alleyway between the basilica and the existing building facing Third St.

Program. The basilica, opening at street level, would house multiple exhibition, performance and event spaces. The high-rise would house workspace for non-profit organizations, publishers and designers on the lower floors with work-live residential units for artists, artisans and other cultural professionals on the floors above. A percentage of the residential units would be dedicated for senior practitioners in addition to a portion dedicated to affordable housing required under MIH regulations. A library, dining and meeting facilities will occupy the top floor, crowned by an array of water retention tanks . The existing historic factory buildings would generally remain for light industrial and cultural workspace. This scheme allows all the existing historic structures to remain, with no displacement of existing tenants or interruption of services even during construction.

Policy. This plan would realize many of NY City’s stated policy goals, including to:  preserve/provide space for light/artisan manufacturing uses and good jobs;  preserve/provide space for public arts & cultural uses;  preserve/provide studios for artists;  provide housing for artists; provide housing for seniors; provide affordable housing;  preserve/enhance historic buildings, and; reinforce the overall ‘mixed-use’ life and character that is Gowanus.

Rezoning. In November 2021, the NYC Council adopted NYC DCP’s Gowanus Neighborhood Rezoning Plan. Within this broader plan, The OA Can Factory property, along with the adjacent sites, were re-zoned and can acommodate the preferred scheme outlined above. A timetable for the expansion development has not been set by XØp and LMS.

Additional project information may be provided upon request.

. . .

PROJECT CONSULTANTS

Appleseed Economic Development

BJH Advisors MIH          

Cumming Estimating

Cycle Sustainability

DRSC Civic Affairs

FriedFrank Land Use

HOK Structure

Hornick Consulting Zoning

Lansing Warren Economics

Mueser Rutledge Geotech

New Netherland Advisors Project Management

Perkins + Will Planning      

Proskauer Rose Legal

Relboc Advisory Development