By Linda Collins
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Newmark Knight Frank Residential Construction Services reports it has signed off on the $175-million conversion of the Watchtower’s former shipping complex at 360 Furman St. in Brooklyn Heights.

Now known as One Brooklyn Bridge Park, the building, it took two and a half years to convert, according to Michael Siciliani, president of Newmark.

“I’m told that this is the largest conversion from commercial to residential ever in Brooklyn,� Siciliani said, noting that the 1.1 million-square-foot building now contains 438 apartments plus 70,000 square feet of onsite retail space, 7,000 square feet of landscaped gardens and a 500-car parking facility.

“The project involved an extensive structural reconfiguration of the property and created very unique high-end luxury apartments with spectacular skyline views. Many units have terraces, cabanas and fireplaces.�

Part of that structural reconfiguration involved adding two floors to the 12-story building.

“Also, the original staircase locations were at the corners of the H-shaped building. We removed the reinforced concrete stairs, relocated them to the interior and recaptured all the corner floor area with floor-to-ceiling glass walls,� he said.

Siciliani, who said his firm has collaborated with developer RAL Companies and Affiliates on three Manhattan projects (270 Broadway, 420 W. 25th St. and 1474 Third Ave.), describes this one as “a wonderful project.�

“Its scale and location make a very significant statement in the overall redevelopment of Brooklyn, the waterfront and the new [Brooklyn Bridge] park.�

He also noted that its location between the waterfront and the BQE created some logistical challenges.

“The rain and wind experienced from being right on the waterfront kept the Weather Channel on our radar screens 24 hours a day,� he said.

Siciliani credited the work of two longtime Newmark Knight Frank employees — Richard Ramos, who served as project executive for the conversion; and Carlos Huezo, who served as project manager. The architect for the development was Vincent Cangelosi of Creative Design Associates.

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