Pioneer Works

Pioneer Works, a cultural anchor in Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood, engaged us to manage two phases of capital improvements. Our biggest value came from right-sizing the projects to the available budget and helping the organization strategically set priorities. Together, we focused on eliminating operational pain points by conditioning key spaces and aligning current uses with built space and approved legal uses.

We closely administered a design competition to select the project team and then worked hand in hand with them to achieve the outlined goals. The $12.7 million renovation, funded in part through Empire State Development’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, upgraded critical building systems, enhanced accessibility, and introduced new vertical circulation, all while the facility remained active. The phased approach required close coordination with Pioneer Works’ leadership, the NYC Department of Buildings, and the Board of Standards and Appeals to secure complex approvals tied to adaptive reuse of the historic factory, the site’s waterfront location, and the public funding requirements.

Drawing on our technical expertise, we integrated major infrastructure upgrades discreetly into the building, future proofing it for long term growth and laying the groundwork for a potential third phase. Throughout, we emphasized creative problem solving, collaborative leadership, and a solution oriented approach that carried the project from early construction hurdles to a revitalized, resilient space supporting Pioneer Works’ evolving mission.