Residential Tower To Rise in Dumbo

Over the past few years, Dumbo has become one of New York City's most sought after residential neighborhoods. This initiative started when the Clock Tower Building was converted into luxury apartments in 1998.

Plans for 133 Water St. include underground parking, first-floor commercial spaces and 52 residential units consisting primarily of one- and two-bedroom apartments, with some studios and three-bedroom units. Developed as a full-service luxury building, the condominium will feature such amenities as a fitness room, roof deck with recreational space and washer-dryer hook-ups. Units above the second floor will have balconies or terraces. The project also calls for triple-glazed glass curtain walls, as well as high-grade acoustically insulated exterior walls to mask street noises. Development costs were not available.

Designed by Scarano's Charles Diehl, the street frontage of the building will be composed of concrete. The glass portion of the site, primarily comprising the top eight floors, turns the mass of the structure at an angle to match the bridge.

"We paid close attention to the architectural styles of the area," points out Robert Scarano, the firm's founder and principal. "We didn't believe Manhattan-style modernism would be appropriate here, but rather a design that could celebrate the historic qualities of the neighborhood, while taking advantage of potentially remarkable vistas."

Construction developed by the Guttman family is just under way with completion scheduled for early 2006. The interiors are being designed by Andres Escobar and the marketing will be through the Developers Group.

Two blocks away from the Water Street project in Vinegar Hill, Scarano & Associates recently completed the design of a second residential project. The architects proposed a four-story glass and steel addition, two separate entry lobbies, center courtyard and 83-space below ground parking lot. The Scarano architects responsible for the design are Richard T. Honovic and Robyn Squires.

Founded in 1985 by Robert Scarano Jr., the firm is responsible for an average of 200 projects annually. Although the firm focuses much of its work in Brooklyn and Manhattan, the firm designed a convention center in Medellin, Columbia.