Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has revealed a new architectural proposal for 175 Third Street in Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal district, presenting a bold reimagining of a 2023 plan. Designed in collaboration with dencityworks | architecture and developed by Charney Companies and Tavros, the 27-story tower forms part of a broader revitalization initiative, incorporating over one million square feet of mixed-use space.
Central to the concept is a public park co-designed with NYC Parks and Field Operations, complemented by an internal cascading courtyard that offers sweeping views of the New York City skyline. The structure is composed of stepped concrete volumes, shaped to create terraces, entries, and outdoor niches that foster both urban vibrancy and intimate living spaces.
Architectural Form That Marries Function and Context
Bjarke Ingels describes the project as a “three-dimensional neighborhood of building blocks stacked to frame a central park cascading down towards the canal waterfront.” He added that the “rational volumes are chiseled and chamfered” to form an interconnected network of public and private spaces.
Martin Voelkle, also from BIG, highlighted that the building’s design reflects “a series of purposeful shifts and chamfered corners” aligned with both zoning constraints and functional requirements. The U-shaped layout opens toward the canal, linking 2nd and 3rd Streets via the waterfront park.
A Milestone in the Gowanus Wharf Redevelopment
The project will offer more than 1,000 residential units, with roughly 250 units designated as affordable housing. This marks the fourth development in the Gowanus area by Charney and Tavros, contributing to a larger transformation dubbed “Gowanus Wharf.” Together, the four properties represent over 2 million square feet of new construction.
The 175 Third Street site was previously owned by RFR, which had commissioned a more deconstructed design in 2023. That plan has since been shelved following the sale of the property in April for approximately $160 million.