Shuttered Downtown Brooklyn Macy’s becomes pulsing light installation
Images courtesy of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership
The shuttered Macy’s in Downtown Brooklyn now hosts an interactive light installation that pulses along to the soundtrack of Fulton Street. Unveiled on Friday, “In Every Transition, A Pattern” illuminates the windows of the former department store with rhythmic patterns and kaleidoscopic displays that respond to the energy of the streetscape. On view through March 16, the installation brings new life to the now-empty Macy’s, which closed along with four other NYC locations in January 2025.
Presented by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) and the city’s Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and designed by Masary Studios, the installation uses an interior structure to create a dynamic, ever-changing display of light, geometric shapes, and visual expressions, all driven by audio recordings from the neighborhood.
The sounds—ranging from music and conversation to traffic, pigeons, crosswalk signals, and subway noise—control the lighting patterns, though they are not audible to spectators, according to the New York Times.
Ryan Edwards, co-founder of Masary, recorded fire trucks, cars blasting music, and street conversations. He said his background as a drummer helped sharpen his sense of rhythm and influenced the project.
Masary was chosen from more than 50 artists invited to apply for the project, in a process organized by DBP, SBS, and McGregor Consulting.
SBS funded the installation through its Public Realm Grant program, which aims to empower community organizations to activate commercial corridors in the evenings, enhance nighttime safety, celebrate local commerce and culture, reconnect divided communities, and nurture innovation in public spaces.
Dynishal Gross, SBS commissioner, told the Times that the project received one of 13 grants totaling just over $1 million for initiatives across the five boroughs, all aimed at making neighborhoods “feel economically active, safer, and more attractive to passers-by.”
“’In Every Transition, A Pattern’ illuminates and celebrates the windows of a Downtown Brooklyn landmark on Fulton Street while reflecting the spirit of our community through light,” Regina Myer, president of DBP, said.
“This temporary installation underscores our commitment to supporting local retail and revitalizing the public realm. We invite the community to experience the lights and then check out one of our great nearby businesses.”
In January 2025, Macy’s announced it would close 66 stores nationwide, including five in NYC, as part of its “Bold New Chapter” strategy, which planned to shutter about 150 underperforming locations by 2026. The Downtown Brooklyn store, notably, sold for just $23 million.
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