450 UnionBrooklynUSA

Rising as a new urban landmark, the building is defined by a sculpted form that opens to light, air, and views, while anchoring a renewed public edge for the canal. Sited in a rapidly transforming neighborhood and the airspace around the canal begins to densify, the long views that once defined the area are at risk of being lost. The building responds by aligning its units with the canal, preserving sightlines and extending the experience of the waterway deep into the living spaces. Stacked volumes of brick and glass are cut through with a dramatic void that opens terraces and courts to the city. Rotated floor plates grant each apartment long views toward downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan or along the waterway to the south, while secondary sightlines through exterior corners connect residents directly to waterfront activity.

At ground level, 450 Union integrates with the canal frontage and public park to create a vibrant edge of retail and shared amenities. Upper-level terraces provide indoor–outdoor gathering spaces that capture the tranquility and views inherent to the site. A full complement of amenities—including fitness, workspace, children’s play and art rooms, and communal lounges—supports new patterns of living and working. By layering individual and collective spaces, the building creates a vertical neighborhood that enriches the surrounding community and sets a precedent for waterfront living in Gowanus.