Two Trees nabs key approvals for Domino Sugar demo

316 Kent Avenue
316 Kent Avenue

Two Trees Management won approval to demolish two sections of the Domino Sugar factory complex — a rear building on 2 Grand Street and multiple contiguous buildings at 314 Kent Avenue.

The Department of Buildings signed off on the 2 Grand Street demolition July 29 And The 314 Kent Avenue section Aug. 20. The approvals mark the first of several that must happen before Two Trees can actually begin tearing anything down, Dave Lombino, director of special projects, told Bedford + Bowery. He expects the projects to take place sometime next month.

Once Two Trees secures all necessary permits, the plan is to tear down the northern section of the factory on Kent and Grand, and a southern section along the Williamsburg Bridge. Two Trees plans to restore the landmarked refinery building, to be converted into office space.

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“We’re confident it will move forward,” Lombino told Bedford + Bowery of the plan. “But we have always said that in the event our new plan does not gain approval, we will develop under the existing zoning. The abatement, demo and waterfront work is a prerequisite to developing either plan.”

Two Trees purchased the Domino Sugar site from CPC Resources, whose plans to develop the site drew a backlash from the community. Even so, the rezoning was approved and Two Trees released their design plans in March 2013. [Bedford + Bowery]Julie Strickland