New York's first all-electric skyscraper, 505 State Street

505 State Street is New York’s first all-electric skyscraper. Located in Downtown Brooklyn, the 44-story residential tower was completed earlier this month. The structure stands at 482-feet and is fully electric-powered. It features 441 rental units with 45 set aside to affordable housing as agreed with the Fifth Avenue Committee. The tower is located on what has been named Alloy Block, a master pant that will also offer 50,000 square feet of retail space and space for a local cultural institution. Furthermore, parking space for 500 bicycles and two schools; the Khalil Gibran International Academy High School (KGIA), and an elementary school.

Amenities at 505 State Street

Residents at 505 State Street will enjoy several energy-efficient appliances. These include induction cooktops, in-home washer/dryers and air conditioning. Moreover, smart controls for heating/cooling, and dishwashers. Residential amenities will include an attended lobby with 24/7 concierge, a package room, a product library, a gym with a yoga studio, a grow room. Additionally, a workspace with a kitchen, multiple conference rooms, a children’s playroom, a lounge with a kitchen and outdoor terrace. If that is not enough, residents will also have a screening room, an outdoor rooftop pool and terrace with 360-degree views, rooftop cabanas with seating and grills, and a rooftop living room with full kitchen.

The structure was designed and developed by Alloy Development. Urban Atelier Group is the general contractor for the property. A 20-foot ceiling has been planned for the retail space at Alloy Block that spans the face Flatbush Avenue Extension. The residential floors will begin from the third floor through 41 with most of the amenities housed within the multi-story podium.

The Alloy Block Schools

The elementary school is located at 489 State Street while the Khalil Gibran International Academy High School (KGIA) at 380 Schermerhorn Street. The latter was designed by Architecture Research Office. Work on its exterior is nearly completed and the entire façade and fenestration is finished except for the ground floor. The exterior is composed of dark grey brick and a staggered grid of rectangular windows. Scaffolding seen on the eastern side has been fully dismantled and the flat roof parapet has also been fully enclosed. The school will feature a cafeteria, a gymnasium, and a library. The elementary school at 489 State Street will feature a separate gymnasium and an auditorium accessible to the community. Both public schools are the city’s first designed to meet Passive House standards.

New York’s Plans for electric buildings

New York City plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% over the levels from 2019 by 2050. In order to achieve that, buildings such as these will be required. Whereas in other states the biggest single source of emissions is transportation, in New York, most people use mass transit thus buildings here are the biggest source. Christopher Halfnight, senior director of research and policy at the Urban Green Council, pointed out that gas- and oil-burning furnaces and water heaters are together responsible for 40% of NYC emissions. Urban Green Council is a nonprofit focused on energy efficiency in buildings.