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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.


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.

A flexible community facility, with the ability to host a range of activities for the neighborhood, such as farmers markets, movies and community meetings.

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.

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.

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.

Office spaces are available for non-profit organizations, focusing on tutoring, counseling, educational services, cultural programming, and LGBT support services.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.


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.

A flexible community facility, with the ability to host a range of activities for the neighborhood, such as farmers markets, movies and community meetings.

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.

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.

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.

Office spaces are available for non-profit organizations, focusing on tutoring, counseling, educational services, cultural programming, and LGBT support services.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.


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.

A flexible community facility, with the ability to host a range of activities for the neighborhood, such as farmers markets, movies and community meetings.

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.

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.

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.

Office spaces are available for non-profit organizations, focusing on tutoring, counseling, educational services, cultural programming, and LGBT support services.
