Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
LPC Approves DUMBO Historic District
By
Jill Priluck
Published Dec 18, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jill Priluck
Published Dec 18, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
It's official. Today the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate DUMBO a historic district, pending City Council approval.
The area, composed of 91 industrial buildings dated mostly from 1880 to 1920, is bound by John Street to the north, York Street to the south, Main Street to the west and Bridge Street to the east. It is the city's 90th historic district. The district contains the Manhattan Bridge, and its support piers and anchorage also are protected. So are the granite Belgian block sidewalks and train tracks.
Here is LPC Chairman Robert B. Tierney's statement:
“DUMBO was essential to Brooklyn’s rise as a major manufacturing center, and was home to some of America’s most important industrial firms that produced everything from ale and paper boxes to soap and steel wool,” said Commission Chairman Robert B. Tierney, “DUMBO’s distinctively designed buildings and sublime vistas survive to this day, and still define its character, even as it has evolved into a largely residential neighborhood. This designation will ensure that this still-evolving neighborhood retains its unique historic character.”
According to the LPC press release, in 1900, at the height of the area's use as a manufacturing center, there were 10,713 factories there, employing 100,881 people. In 1913, three of the ten industrial firms with more than 1,000 employees were located in DUMBO. Goods produced then include coffee, tea, sugar, machinery, paint, varnish, shoes, handkerchiefs, meters and kitchenware. There's more history here.
The earlier buildings feature brick facades and extra-large wooden columns and beams, while the later ones were built with reinforced concrete. Some noteworthy buildings include:
- 20 Jay St, built in 1909 for the Arbuckle Brothers who ran the nation's largest coffee roaster and packaging company
- 135 Plymouth St., built in 1901 for EW Bliss, a machinery manufacturer
- 26-38 Washington St., built in 1887 for Robert Gair Co., which made boxes, printed labels, stationery and other paper products.
Maybe we're reading into things, but the release never actually uses the words "DUMBO Historic District," so we wonder, following the chatter, if that's what it is being called.
Photo of (left to right) 135 Plymouth Street, 20 Jay Street, and 26-38 Washington Street from the LPC's report.
Update: It's settled. The name is DUMBO Historic District, according to LPC spokesperson Elisabeth de Bourbon.
Tagged
america
Bridge Street
brooklyn
city
City Council
coffee
District
history
Jay St.
jay street
john street
landmarks
landmarks preservation commission
main street
manhattan
manhattan bridge
news
people
preservation
the city
train
washington
Washington St
Washington Street
york street
Jill Priluck
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ corruption office that went up against George Norcross and lost will be dismantled
The attorney general's office says it's reorganizing its criminal prosecution program.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Sep 3, 2026 at 7:02 p.m. ET
MTA electrical substations lack proper maintenance, watchdog says
The inspector general report came in response to a major electrical failure in 2024.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
MTA electrical substations lack proper maintenance, watchdog says
The inspector general report came in response to a major electrical failure in 2024.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
$6 billion power line from Canada to NYC flowing below capacity, experts say
By
Rosemary Misdary
NYPD data shows decline in summer crime, as perceptions of safety shift
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Trump again blocks $252M of blizzard relief funds for NY, NJ
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .