Attractive New Bushwick Condo Rises on One of Brooklyn’s Ugliest Streets

December 30, 2015

It’s rare to see a new development in Bushwick with any kind of style and grace, but a recently finished six-unit condominium at 27 Dodworth Street actually looks like some thought went into it. Even more remarkable is that it manages to do so on what is probably the most unfortunate looking street on the eastern seaboard. So breathtakingly ugly in fact that it could be thought of, by some, as chic. And as it turns out, buyers have shelled out up to $1 million for condos along this gritty stretch near the Bed-Stuy-Bushwick border.

27 Dodworth Street 8

27 Dodworth Street 5

InFocus Design and Planning, Wu Chen, Bushwick projects,

Let’s start with the good. The new five-story condo building at 27 Dodworth was designed by Dorit Cohen/DoritDesign and developed by Great Neck-based 27 DODWORTH LLC. Its handsomely scaled exterior–composed of an earthy palate of iron, wood, and concrete–allows the building to be distinctive without sneering down on its neighbors. Even the large balconies are inoffensive. All we could ask for is a a more pronounced front entrance, a canopy, and perhaps a bit of shrubbery couldn’t hurt. Inside are five apartments, equipped with solid wood doors, reclaimed wood floors, and open kitchens finished with Brazilian Ipe wood and Viroc cement board flooring.

27 Dodworth Street 7

27 Dodworth Street 4

Two of the five apartments are already spoken for, including a two-bed first-floor duplex with accompanying outdoor patio and garden space. That unit is in contract for $995,000 or $972 per square foot. Among the three units still available is a two-bed duplex penthouse priced at $795,000 or $876 per square foot. That unit includes a terrace and private roof deck.

InFocus Design and Planning, Wu Chen, Bushwick projects,

Now for the ugly. While Dodworth Street is only one-block long, it seems to contain all the architectural and planning blunders that plague our neighborhoods’ streetscapes: an incoherent streetwall, paved front-yards, rampant curb cuts, cheap materials galore, and an unfriendly mish-mash of fences, bars and gates. All Dodwoth lacks is a 30-story, confetti-clad ‘McSam’ hotel. While gentrification pains abound, and some locals are taking a stand against the resulting displacement and price escalation, surely developers view the pock-marked block as prime for redevelopment; especially since the nearby JMZ Myrtle Avenue station can shuttle you to Manhattan in just ten minutes. So before Dodworth is all wiped clean, here’s a walk down the downtrodden stretch.

InFocus Design and Planning, Wu Chen, Bushwick projects,

Dodworth begins at Bushwick Avenue, where it’s anchored by a rowhouse coated in Mylanta-toned stucco and accented by quoins. Indigestion-inducing for sure.

InFocus Design and Planning, Wu Chen, Bushwick projects,

On the opposite side is a vinyl-sided building housing a hipster bakery with charming outdoor seating area. 

InFocus Design and Planning, Wu Chen, Bushwick projects,

The classic pink-brick Fedders style. Characteristically adorned with Con-Ed meters, Fedders A/C panels, and burglar-bar windows. 

InFocus Design and Planning, Wu Chen, Bushwick projects,

The “I-can’t-wait-to-move-to-Florida” style. Often clad in warm pastels, peaches, pinks and turquoises, these are typically the temporary abodes of those yearning to retire to sunnier locales. The house sits adjacent is the classic “I-found-extra-scrap-siding-round back” style. 

InFocus Design and Planning, Wu Chen, Bushwick projects,

Further south, we have the “I-look-better-in-AutoCad” style. 

InFocus Design and Planning, Wu Chen, Bushwick projects,

The “We renovated during the crack era” style.

InFocus Design and Planning, Wu Chen, Bushwick projects,

One last look up Dodworth Street. 

Find listings for 27 Dodworth Street at CityRealty.

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Renderings via InFocus Design and Planning; Street views via Google

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  1. T

    It’s incredible how inanely ignorant these architects are! So, let’s use reclaimed wood on the one hand and then rape the rainforests for some “Brazilian ipê wood”, on the other. When are architects going to stop trashing the rainforests for these woods!?!?!

  2. D

    Amazing article, but needs to be more precise. 27 Dodworth St. was designed by Dorit Cohen/DoritDesign

  3. D

    This article is ridiculous and offensive. I personally lived on Dodworth for two years. The only time anything semi positive was said in this article descried the charming “white ran bakery” . This street was always mainly industrial . It’s a good block super quiet and friendly people. Just like many blocks surrounding it. Just because you guys finally found Brooklyn on a map and think it’s the next cool thing doesn’t mean you should trash it’s origins. Just because something isn’t esthetically pleasing outside does not mean it’s not gorgeous on the inside. The crack era comment also shows how ignorant the journalist who wrote this piece is. If you ever would like to come out of your judgmental suburban box or ( Murray Hill or Green point wherever “chic” place you live ) t I would love to give you a tour of dodworth.