Bedford Courts

Underutilized armory turned community anchor.

The Bedford Union Armory project, renamed the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, was revitalized through a community-engaged design process to become a multi-use facility in Brooklyn's Crown Heights. The project preserved 84% of the original structure, transforming it into a community recreational facility with amenities like basketball courts and a swimming pool, as well as offering commercial and community office spaces.

Underutilized armory in turned community anchor.

The Bedford Union Armory project, renamed the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, was revitalized through a community-engaged design process to become a multi-use facility in Brooklyn's Crown Heights.

The project preserved 84% of the original structure, transforming it into a community recreational facility with amenities like basketball courts and a swimming pool, as well as offering commercial and community office spaces.

© Joshua Simpson
Through the preservation and restoration of the existing building, the Bedford Union Armory project is woven into the surrounding neighborhood fabric by providing new office, educational and recreational space for local businesses and organizations.
© New York Historical Society

Built in 1903 by Pilcher, Thomas and Tachau, the existing Armory, known as the Troop C Armory, has been thoughtfully transformed into a community recreational facility.

© Marvel
© Joshua Simpson
© Joshua Simpson
A pool built inside the existing drill shed provides a much needed community amenity. Windows from the pool look out onto the playing field and other community spaces.
Athletic facilities also include a new fitness area, equipped with cardio, weight machines, and more for the community to utilize.
© Joshua Simpson
A flexible community facility, with the ability to host a range of activities for the neighborhood, such as farmers markets, movies and community meetings.

In the design process, community engagement and public approval led to significant, mostly programmatic, changes to our design, broadening the Public Design Commission's review scope. This interaction shaped the project, improving it with each iteration.

© Marvel
© Joshua Simpson
The Head House, where we preserved as much of the original details as possible, offers commercial and community office space, plus a versatile 4,500 square foot room.
© Marvel
© Joshua Simpson
Office spaces are available for non-profit organizations, focusing on tutoring, counseling, educational services, cultural programming, and LGBT support services.
Sustainable design features, such as an on-site cogeneration plant, were introduced to reduce the building's energy consumption, making the project an example of how to honor historical architecture while meeting modern community needs.
© Joshua Simpson
The vacated Bedford Union Armory has been transformed into a vibrant community hub, creating a neighborhood amenity.

Neglected block in Brooklyn turned community anchor.

The Bedford Union Armory project, renamed the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, was revitalized through a community-engaged design process to become a multi-use facility in Brooklyn's Crown Heights. The project preserved 84% of the original structure, transforming it into a community recreational facility with amenities like basketball courts and a swimming pool, as well as offering commercial and community office spaces.

1316 Bedford Courts Tim Gersten Marvel N5 medium
Through the preservation and restoration of the existing building, the Bedford Union Armory project is woven into the surrounding neighborhood fabric by providing new office, educational and recreational space for local businesses and organizations.
1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N39 medium
1316 Bedford Courts Marvel N47 medium

Throughout the design process, community engagement and public approval led to significant, mostly programmatic, changes to our design, broadening the Public Design Commission's review scope. This interaction shaped the project, improving it with each iteration.

1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N35 medium
A flexible community facility, with the ability to host a range of activities for the neighborhood, such as farmers markets, movies and community meetings.
1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N37 medium
A pool built inside the existing drill shed provides a much needed community amenity. Windows from the pool look out onto the playing field and other community spaces.
1316 Bedford Courts Tim Gersten Marvel N4 medium
Athletic facilities also include a new fitness area, equipped with cardio, weight machines, and more for the community to utilize.
1316 Bedford Courts New York Historical Society N48 medium

Throughout the design process, community engagement and public approval led to significant, mostly programmatic, changes to our design, broadening the Public Design Commission's review scope. This interaction shaped the project, improving it with each iteration.

1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N40 medium
The Head House, where we preserved as much of the original details as possible, offers commercial and community office space, plus a versatile 4,500 square foot room.
1316 Bedford Courts Marvel N6 medium
Office spaces are available for non-profit organizations, focusing on tutoring, counseling, educational services, cultural programming, and LGBT support services.
1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N34 medium
The vacated Bedford Union Armory has been transformed into a vibrant community hub, creating a neighborhood amenity.

Bedford Courts

Underutilized armory turned community anchor.

The Bedford Union Armory project, renamed the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, was revitalized through a community-engaged design process to become a multi-use facility in Brooklyn's Crown Heights. The project preserved 84% of the original structure, transforming it into a community recreational facility with amenities like basketball courts and a swimming pool, as well as offering commercial and community office spaces.

Underutilized armory in turned community anchor.

The Bedford Union Armory project, renamed the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, was revitalized through a community-engaged design process to become a multi-use facility in Brooklyn's Crown Heights.

The project preserved 84% of the original structure, transforming it into a community recreational facility with amenities like basketball courts and a swimming pool, as well as offering commercial and community office spaces.

© Joshua Simpson
Through the preservation and restoration of the existing building, the Bedford Union Armory project is woven into the surrounding neighborhood fabric by providing new office, educational and recreational space for local businesses and organizations.
© New York Historical Society

Built in 1903 by Pilcher, Thomas and Tachau, the existing Armory, known as the Troop C Armory, has been thoughtfully transformed into a community recreational facility.

© Marvel
© Joshua Simpson
© Joshua Simpson
A pool built inside the existing drill shed provides a much needed community amenity. Windows from the pool look out onto the playing field and other community spaces.
Athletic facilities also include a new fitness area, equipped with cardio, weight machines, and more for the community to utilize.
© Joshua Simpson
A flexible community facility, with the ability to host a range of activities for the neighborhood, such as farmers markets, movies and community meetings.

In the design process, community engagement and public approval led to significant, mostly programmatic, changes to our design, broadening the Public Design Commission's review scope. This interaction shaped the project, improving it with each iteration.

© Marvel
© Joshua Simpson
The Head House, where we preserved as much of the original details as possible, offers commercial and community office space, plus a versatile 4,500 square foot room.
© Marvel
© Joshua Simpson
Office spaces are available for non-profit organizations, focusing on tutoring, counseling, educational services, cultural programming, and LGBT support services.
Sustainable design features, such as an on-site cogeneration plant, were introduced to reduce the building's energy consumption, making the project an example of how to honor historical architecture while meeting modern community needs.
© Joshua Simpson
The vacated Bedford Union Armory has been transformed into a vibrant community hub, creating a neighborhood amenity.

Neglected block in Brooklyn turned community anchor.

The Bedford Union Armory project, renamed the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, was revitalized through a community-engaged design process to become a multi-use facility in Brooklyn's Crown Heights. The project preserved 84% of the original structure, transforming it into a community recreational facility with amenities like basketball courts and a swimming pool, as well as offering commercial and community office spaces.

1316 Bedford Courts Tim Gersten Marvel N5 medium
Through the preservation and restoration of the existing building, the Bedford Union Armory project is woven into the surrounding neighborhood fabric by providing new office, educational and recreational space for local businesses and organizations.
1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N39 medium
1316 Bedford Courts Marvel N47 medium

Throughout the design process, community engagement and public approval led to significant, mostly programmatic, changes to our design, broadening the Public Design Commission's review scope. This interaction shaped the project, improving it with each iteration.

1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N35 medium
A flexible community facility, with the ability to host a range of activities for the neighborhood, such as farmers markets, movies and community meetings.
1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N37 medium
A pool built inside the existing drill shed provides a much needed community amenity. Windows from the pool look out onto the playing field and other community spaces.
1316 Bedford Courts Tim Gersten Marvel N4 medium
Athletic facilities also include a new fitness area, equipped with cardio, weight machines, and more for the community to utilize.
1316 Bedford Courts New York Historical Society N48 medium

Throughout the design process, community engagement and public approval led to significant, mostly programmatic, changes to our design, broadening the Public Design Commission's review scope. This interaction shaped the project, improving it with each iteration.

1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N40 medium
The Head House, where we preserved as much of the original details as possible, offers commercial and community office space, plus a versatile 4,500 square foot room.
1316 Bedford Courts Marvel N6 medium
Office spaces are available for non-profit organizations, focusing on tutoring, counseling, educational services, cultural programming, and LGBT support services.
1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N34 medium
The vacated Bedford Union Armory has been transformed into a vibrant community hub, creating a neighborhood amenity.

Bedford Courts

Underutilized armory turned community anchor.

The Bedford Union Armory project, renamed the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, was revitalized through a community-engaged design process to become a multi-use facility in Brooklyn's Crown Heights. The project preserved 84% of the original structure, transforming it into a community recreational facility with amenities like basketball courts and a swimming pool, as well as offering commercial and community office spaces.

Underutilized armory in turned community anchor.

The Bedford Union Armory project, renamed the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, was revitalized through a community-engaged design process to become a multi-use facility in Brooklyn's Crown Heights.

The project preserved 84% of the original structure, transforming it into a community recreational facility with amenities like basketball courts and a swimming pool, as well as offering commercial and community office spaces.

© Joshua Simpson
Through the preservation and restoration of the existing building, the Bedford Union Armory project is woven into the surrounding neighborhood fabric by providing new office, educational and recreational space for local businesses and organizations.
© New York Historical Society

Built in 1903 by Pilcher, Thomas and Tachau, the existing Armory, known as the Troop C Armory, has been thoughtfully transformed into a community recreational facility.

© Marvel
© Joshua Simpson
© Joshua Simpson
A pool built inside the existing drill shed provides a much needed community amenity. Windows from the pool look out onto the playing field and other community spaces.
Athletic facilities also include a new fitness area, equipped with cardio, weight machines, and more for the community to utilize.
© Joshua Simpson
A flexible community facility, with the ability to host a range of activities for the neighborhood, such as farmers markets, movies and community meetings.

In the design process, community engagement and public approval led to significant, mostly programmatic, changes to our design, broadening the Public Design Commission's review scope. This interaction shaped the project, improving it with each iteration.

© Marvel
© Joshua Simpson
The Head House, where we preserved as much of the original details as possible, offers commercial and community office space, plus a versatile 4,500 square foot room.
© Marvel
© Joshua Simpson
Office spaces are available for non-profit organizations, focusing on tutoring, counseling, educational services, cultural programming, and LGBT support services.
Sustainable design features, such as an on-site cogeneration plant, were introduced to reduce the building's energy consumption, making the project an example of how to honor historical architecture while meeting modern community needs.
© Joshua Simpson
The vacated Bedford Union Armory has been transformed into a vibrant community hub, creating a neighborhood amenity.

Neglected block in Brooklyn turned community anchor.

The Bedford Union Armory project, renamed the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, was revitalized through a community-engaged design process to become a multi-use facility in Brooklyn's Crown Heights. The project preserved 84% of the original structure, transforming it into a community recreational facility with amenities like basketball courts and a swimming pool, as well as offering commercial and community office spaces.

1316 Bedford Courts Tim Gersten Marvel N5 medium
Through the preservation and restoration of the existing building, the Bedford Union Armory project is woven into the surrounding neighborhood fabric by providing new office, educational and recreational space for local businesses and organizations.
1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N39 medium
1316 Bedford Courts Marvel N47 medium

Throughout the design process, community engagement and public approval led to significant, mostly programmatic, changes to our design, broadening the Public Design Commission's review scope. This interaction shaped the project, improving it with each iteration.

1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N35 medium
A flexible community facility, with the ability to host a range of activities for the neighborhood, such as farmers markets, movies and community meetings.
1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N37 medium
A pool built inside the existing drill shed provides a much needed community amenity. Windows from the pool look out onto the playing field and other community spaces.
1316 Bedford Courts Tim Gersten Marvel N4 medium
Athletic facilities also include a new fitness area, equipped with cardio, weight machines, and more for the community to utilize.
1316 Bedford Courts New York Historical Society N48 medium

Throughout the design process, community engagement and public approval led to significant, mostly programmatic, changes to our design, broadening the Public Design Commission's review scope. This interaction shaped the project, improving it with each iteration.

1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N40 medium
The Head House, where we preserved as much of the original details as possible, offers commercial and community office space, plus a versatile 4,500 square foot room.
1316 Bedford Courts Marvel N6 medium
Office spaces are available for non-profit organizations, focusing on tutoring, counseling, educational services, cultural programming, and LGBT support services.
1316 Bedford Courts Joshua Simpson N34 medium
The vacated Bedford Union Armory has been transformed into a vibrant community hub, creating a neighborhood amenity.

Location

Brooklyn, NY

Client

Bedford Courts LLC, BFC Partners

Typology

Size

625,000 SF

Design Team

Jonathan Marvel, Guido Hartray, Annya Ramirez, Edna Echandi, David Jackowski, Erik Chu, Erica Barrows, Ruth Benjamin, Hiroya Humeda, Rafael Ferrer, Ernesto Vazquez

Consultants

Marvel (Architect), Rodkin Cardinale (MEP), Severud (Structural), Trace PD (Pool), Brooker Engineering (Civil), SWA (Accessibility), Buro Happold (Envelope), JMZ (Expeditor)