Pencil Factory,
122 West Street

Overview of Pencil Factory at 122 West Street

The Pencil Factory at 122 West Street represents a striking architectural fusion of industrial heritage and contemporary design in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Originally constructed in 1872 for the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company, which brought German pencil making techniques to America, the factory operated until 1956 before being transformed into a luxury condominium in 2009. Architect Daniel Goldner masterfully expanded the original red brick masonry buildings with a bold modern addition featuring beige and pale red panels in a checkerboard pattern, dark glass windows, and distinctive double height "light boxes" along the roofline. The design, influenced by Donald Judd's minimalist sculptures, creates what critics have described as a "wild mish-mash" that bridges 19th century industrial architecture with 21st century living.

The 93 unit building offers comprehensive amenities including a doorman, fitness center, common roof deck with city and harbor views, on-site parking, bike storage, and a residents' lounge with pool table. The handsome lobby features asymmetrical vertical lighting strips set in dark wood panels, creating dramatic nighttime effects. Individual apartments showcase oak hardwood floors, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout, with stainless steel GE appliances and in-unit washer/dryers as standard features. Many units offer open kitchen layouts with islands, while corner apartments provide exceptional light and views.

The building's penthouses are particularly noteworthy, featuring private terraces up to 1,000 square feet with panoramic 360 degree views of Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines, plus the East River. Some penthouse units include built in grills and outdoor entertaining spaces, while duplex configurations offer multiple terraces and upgraded features like Bertazzoni professional ranges and Mitsubishi heating/cooling systems. Located just one block from the Greenpoint Ferry landing and two blocks from the G train, the Pencil Factory provides convenient access to Manhattan while being steps from Transmitter Park and the vibrant Greenpoint waterfront dining and entertainment scene.