550 Vanderbilt Avenue: Review and Ratings

Review of 550 Vanderbilt Avenue by Carter Horsley

This 17-story apartment building is located at 550 Vanderbilt Avenue, on the corner of Dean Street in the Pacific Park development, which is formerly known as the Atlantic Yards project.

It was designed by CookFox for Forest City Ratner and the Greenland Holding Group of Shanghai, a Chinese concern that has bought a large interest in 15 residential towers in the project.

This is the first residential building at the project, which began with the Barclays Center sports arena.  It is scheduled for completion in 2016.  When completed, the development will have 16 buildings and more than 6,400 apartments.

Thomas Balsey is the landscape architect.

The Atlantic Yards name reflected the existing of large rail yards at the location and the existence of Atlantic Avenue.  The Pacific Park name reflects the fact that Pacific Street, which bisects the development, will be partially demapped for the creation of Pacific Park.

Bottom Line

A boxy, clean-cut residential project with large windows and numerous setbacks near the Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the former Williamsburg Savings Bank tower and lots of public transportation.

Description

The façade has large rectangular windows that are inset and the entrance is a broad span with landscaping and vistas through the building to the park.

The building, which has corner windows, has several setbacks.

Amenities

The building has a fitness center, a 24-hour doorman and concierge service, a library, a children’s playroom, a residents’ lounge with fireplace, a live-in superintendent, a bicycle room, a garage, a roof terrace and it will be adjacent to an 8-acre park.