Red Hook Art Warehouse Fire Causes Far More Damage Than Expected

By Y.M. Lowy

Months after a fire tore through a historic Red Hook art warehouse, the damage has proven far worse than initially thought, turning what tenants expected to be a temporary displacement into a long-term setback. The Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC), one of the building’s oldest tenants, now faces the reality that the warehouse may remain uninhabitable for years.

BWAC and dozens of other artists and small businesses had hoped to return once repairs were completed. In November, the received the grim news: the fire damage was far more extensive than anticipated, leading to the termination of many leases.

The building’s owner, The O’Connell Organization, had offered below-market rents to keep artists in Red Hook. But those low rents came at a cost: the warehouse lacked adequate fire insurance, leaving rebuilding entirely on the owner. When the property is ready again, rents are expected to rise significantly.

The fire caused far more damage than expected, and it’s unclear when—or if—the building will be repaired for tenants.