160 Imlay St

Red Hook Lofts

The idea of Red Hook Lofts had been floating around for 20 years before the building finally opened its doors to its first residents in 2020. Directly across from the Red Hook ferry terminal, with unobstructed views of the Statue of Liberty and 12- to 16-foot-high ceilings, 160 Imlay Street was a prime candidate for a makeover. Bruce Federman, former director of real estate at Industry City, another successful Brooklyn transformation, bought the property in 2000. Delays from zoning changes, a community lawsuit and the late aughts housing market collapse put the project on hold until around 2014 when new owners began renovations in earnest. Now this former warehouse, over 100 years old, is outfitted with multimillion-dollar homes, including what the developer called “blank canvas” units that buyers can design from scratch. In 2009, Federman was quoted in the New York Times saying he wanted to “let my children see what’s happening [there] 30 years from now.” Thankfully, it didn’t take quite that long to make people’s luxury Brooklyn loft dreams come true. The lofts certainly deliver on space, starting at the low end with one-bedroom, two-bathroom units just under 1,000 square feet. These share a similar layout with a walk-in closet in the bedroom and an alcove off the kitchen that can fit a home office setup. Two bedrooms start at 1,400 square feet and can go up to 2,800 square feet with one half serving as a big open kitchen and living area, and the other half containing the bedrooms and bathrooms. These also have balconies on both ends that are the full width of the unit, for maximum light and airflow. Three bedrooms range from 2,500 to 3,500 square feet, and like certain two bedrooms, they all have windows or balconies on both the front and back of the building. They all also have at least three and a half bathrooms, and space for things like a walk-in pantry and laundry room. Beyond this, “blank canvas” units can go up to almost 4,200 square feet. The developer offered suggested layouts of three and four bedrooms, but owners were able to delineate those spaces however they pleased. Light, bright and airy is the common design theme among residences, starting with the oak plank flooring and white marble countertops. Unobstructed windows and ceilings that are at least 12 feet tall let in sun and waterfront views. Paneled Liebherr brand fridges and stainless-steel Miele ovens blend in with the off-white cabinets, and in-unit washer-dryers add convenience. Industrial-chic spaces like these have been around in other Brooklyn neighborhoods since the turn of the century, but in Red Hook, this building is at the forefront of high-end living. Compared to the average price per square foot for Brooklyn condos, which was $1,138 in Q1 of 2024 according to a report from Miller Samuel, units in this building can offer a serious value. Many are below $1,000 and some have even been as low as $522 per square foot. Most recently, one bedrooms have sold for between $1.1 million and $1.5 million, and two bedrooms for between $1.9 million and $2.7 million. Three bedrooms have sold for between $1.7 million and $3 million, and the “blank canvas” units have sold for around $2 million, on top of the cost to design and furnish their interiors. Certain common areas reflect the property’s industrial exterior, such as the polished concrete lobby, which looks like part of an avant-garde hotel, or the building-wide deck and accompanying rooftop residents’ lounge with 20-foot-tall ceilings. Other spaces, such as the wood-paneled sauna and brightly lit fitness center, add more warmth. There are also two private parking lots — one indoor, one outdoor — with limited spots for purchase. Fishing piers and diners specializing in crab, chowder and lobster rolls contribute to Red Hook’s seaside persona. The old-school Italian sandwich shop, barbecue joint and 19th-century bar are dining destinations for New Yorkers, who also visit to shop at the city’s only IKEA. Two local parks have recreation facilities for kids and adults, and during the summer, Red Hook Fest brings neighbors together for cookouts and dance parties. Red Hook lacks subway access, so the closest station to this building is 1 mile east in Gowanus. From there, the G train serves north and south Brooklyn, and the F train goes through midtown Manhattan and into Queens. The most convenient public transit option is the ferry, which is around the corner and reaches Wall Street in 10 minutes. Nearby, the Gowanus Expressway also offers access to Manhattan through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel.