Marvel transforms the historic Bedford Armory into a community hub

The Bedford Union Armory, originally built in 1903, has been repurposed and reimagined as a vital hub for the Crown Heights, Brooklyn community.

The mixed-use development combines vitally needed recreational and after-school programs, cultural activities, and support services in one facility. The project also includes 415 units of affordable and market rate housing in two additional buildings.

Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center courts

Now called the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, the project includes a swimming pool, dance studios, an indoor soccer field, and multiple basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts. The interior space can be adapted to host a range of activities from farmers’ markets to films and community meetings. The center also has space for non-profits to provide on-site tutoring, counseling, cultural programming, and LGBT support services.

Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center pool

Bedford Court, the project’s residential component, includes an 82,000-sf, eight story, 60-unit affordable residential building with a medical facility, and a 320,000-sf, 15-story rental residential building that offers 355 market rate and affordable units. The lower building sits along the southern edge of the Armory while the larger residential building occupies a through-lot condition, spanning from President to Union Street.

The project preserved nearly 84% of the original armory building. New York City architecture firm Marvel designed the project for developer BFC.

Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center interior

Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center offices

Major R. Owens Health and Wellness Community Center soccer field

New ideas in design and constructability are radically changing how metal systems are used as roofing for commercial and institutional buildings. Behind the investment in these new kinds of expressions and construction approaches is a growing interest in improved performance and reduced environmental impact. Metal roofing systems can cut cooling and heating loads significantly, according to the EPA.

Reconstruction & Renovation | Jan 26, 2022

Bruner/Cott Architects revives a historic horse and bicycle racing complex

The original complex was built in 1899.

Concrete buildings: Effective solutions for restorations and major repairs

Architectural concrete as we know it today was invented in the 19th century. It reached new heights in the U.S. after World War II when mid-century modernism was in vogue, following in the footsteps of a European aesthetic that expressed structure and permanent surfaces through this exposed material. Concrete was treated as a monolithic miracle, waterproof and structurally and visually versatile.

Reconstruction & Renovation | Jan 24, 2022

Marvel leads restoration and redesign of El Yunque Visitors’ Center

The project cost $18.1 million.

The Yotel micro hotel in San Francisco emerged from the conversion of a 115-year-old office building.

Adaptive Reuse | Dec 16, 2021

An adaptive reuse of a historic building in San Francisco was worth the wait

A five-year-long project included extensive restoration.

Giants 400 | Dec 5, 2021

2021 Reconstruction Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. building reconstruction and renovation sector

STO Building Group, Alfa Tech Consulting Engineers, Gensler, and Stantec top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest reconstruction sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2021 Giants 400 Report.