The Chocolate Factory, 275 Park Avenue: Review and Ratings

Review of 275 Park Avenue by Carter Horsley

This handsome, 5-story, red-brick building at 275 Park Avenue between Waverly and Washington avenues in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, was erected in 1880 and was acquired in 2014 by the HK Organization, Brickman and Jo-Ann Obergfell for $68 million.

It had been converted from industrial use in 2002 to 123 rental apartments in seven contiguous buildings and is known as The Chocolate Factory.

It has more than 25,000 square feet of retail space.

The original Romanesque Revival building was designed by the Parfitt Brothers in the late 19th century. It was built for the Von Glahn Brothers, a wholesale grocer that received produce from the Wallabout Market and it was subsequently purchased by Rockwood & Company Chocolate, which for decades was one of the largest candy makers in the country. After World War II, Rockwood closed, and Sweets Corporation of America purchased the factory until closing permanently in 1967.

HK Organization’s developments include Empire Stores, the conversion of the historic coffee warehouses into office, retail, and restaurant space on the DUMBO waterfront, and 99 Gold Street, the conversion of a toy factory into luxury rental apartments in Vinegar Hill.

HK Organization was founded by Harry Kotowitz and Howard Klaus.

It is close to the Pratt Institute.

Bottom Line

Classic loft apartments with high ceilings and brick walls and a very large roof deck with a handsome pergola.

Description

The first, second, third and fifth floors have arched windows, but on each floor they are of different widths.

The building’s corner is chamfered and there is retail space on the ground floor.

One end of is roofline has a handsome pediment.

The building’s façade has many handsome details including large indented window surrounds on the lower three floors, and banded masonry work above the fourth floor between two bandcourses, and indented arches topped with masonry decoration above the fifth floor at the corner.

Amenities

The building has a part-time doorman, a fitness center, a landscaped courtyard, a laundry, a roof deck, on-site parking, and tenant storage.  It is pet friendly.

Apartments

Some of the apartments have 12-foot ceilings and some brick walls as well as wood beams and columns.