Last Friday night, I got a heads-up text that the Domino Sugar Factory on the waterfront in Williamsburg would be open to the public on Sunday from 12-3pm. Of course I immediately double-checked to make sure the event was on, and then made the rounds on Twitter since I’d (strangely) seen zero publicity about the opening. The factory has been subject to some media controversy recently, as real estate developers hope to take over the partially-landmarked compound and turn it into 2,200+ new mixed-income apartments and condos, along with a public esplanade along the waterfront. Aspiring plans in an economic downturn, to be certain. For more about the political aspects of this project, this article from the New York Times is a good primer and this post at PlanNYC is a good read, too.
As expected, community activists were out in full force distributing pamphlets alongside the large event staff. And the developers made the whole shindig into a family affair: there were stations of free hotdogs, cotton candy, and drinks galore. But of course, we came for the photos. Someday, I dream of getting inside and touring the old factory, but for now these exterior shots below will have to do. What a gorgeous location with a beautiful view of the city!
For more photos from the Domino Sugar Factory, make sure to check out these awesome shots from Lucy Aboytes or this article over at Gothamist!
Originally published at For the Love of Brooklyn.