new york city’s first all-electric skyscraper nears completion in brooklyn

all-electric housing rises in new york

Soaring forty-four stories above the rapidly growing neighborhood of Downtown Brooklyn, an all-electric skyscraper at 505 State Street symbolizes future-forward innovation in New York City. With today’s host of climate concerns informing both designs and regulations, the residential tower will operate without the use of fossil fuel on-site, embodying an optimistic step toward environmental sustainability and reduced carbon emissions. Of course, the concept of ‘all-electric’ housing isn’t entirely new. Single-family homes and smaller buildings have pioneered this approach, harnessing electricity for all their energy needs, from heating and cooling to cooking and hot water. What sets this project apart is its scale. Applying these technologies to the dizzying heights of a New York tower with 441 apartments presents a new set of challenges, which have been taken on by the project’s designers at Alloy, a real estate development firm comprised mainly of architects.

image, banner image © Selvon Nef

rethinking infrastructure

With the design of its all-electric skyscraper in Brooklyn, Alloy Development organizes a new infrastructural framework. Typically, skyscrapers rely on a complex web of gas pipes and boilers to meet their energy demands. For 505 State Street, this equation was flipped. The architects and engineers had to reimagine every aspect of the building’s infrastructure, from sourcing high-capacity electrical lines to designing hyper-efficient, entirely electric HVAC systems. A Request for Proposals was recently issued by the team to enroll the project in community solar projects that will secure a 100 percent local renewable energy supply for the building. 

image © Pavel Bendov

Alloy Development has announced the launch of leasing for the 441 apartments of 505 State Street, 45 of which will be income restricted. With nine- to twelve-foot ceilings, each apartment is curated with oak wood flooring and exposed concrete. Smart home technology is integrated so that residents will be able to optimize their energy consumption through their smartphone. The building also opens out to generous green spaces and recreational areas to further bring nature-minded living into the dense and growing neighborhood.

Once complete, 505 State Street is a watershed moment, not just for New York City and Brooklyn, but for the entire industry. It will become a precedent for electric-powered buildings, even at the scale of skyscrapers, especially if it achieves its goal of operating with 100 percent renewable energy.

visualization © Alloy Development

Residents will enjoy access to a full suite of premier amenities, such as a 24-hour attended lobby with a coffee shop, a community concierge, a mail and package room, a bike storage room, in-building laundry, a pet wash and a Bodega operated by TULU. The building also offers a 3,000-square-foot gym, a yoga studio, grow room, playspace for children, reservable lounge, screening room and a workspace. The 42nd floor of the building includes a rooftop pool, terrace space and reservable cabanas with grills. Residents will also be able to reserve the sky lounge, kitchen and terrace space for entertaining. 

image © Matthew Williams

‘As the first all-electric skyscraper in New York City, 505 State Street is a transformative development which represents the future of sustainable living,’ said Alloy CEO Jared Della Valle. ‘Residents will not only be able to enjoy beautifully designed apartments with sweeping views of the city skyline, but will also critically benefit from the health, environmental and cost benefits that come with reducing your carbon footprint. We look forward to welcoming residents as we usher in a new era for green development in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn.’

image © Matthew Williams

image © Matthew Williams

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visualization © Alloy Development

visualization © Alloy Development

visualization © Alloy Development

visualization © Alloy Development

visualization © Alloy Development

visualization © Alloy Development

visualization © Alloy Development

visualization © Alloy Development

project info:

project title: 505 State Street

architecture: Alloy Development | @alloy.bk

location: 505 State Street, Brooklyn, New York

completion: expected Spring 2024

visualizations: Alloy Development

photography: © Selvon Nef, Pavel Bendov, Matthew Williams