The Dime | Fogarty Finger | World Design Awards 2021

Fogarty Finger: Runner-Up of World Design Awards 2021. Located in South Williamsburg, just off of the Williamsburg Bridge when crossing from Manhattan, The Dime is a new, 23-story terracotta and glass building architecturally linked to the landmarked 1908 Dime Savings Bank. With its cohesive design language across architecture and interiors of its multi-use areas—offices, retail and rental apartments—the building is an exciting debut, elevating the standards for buildings of similar use in the city. The 345,000 SF mixed-use building encompasses 177 residential units, 105,000 SF of office space, and 50,000 SF of retail space.

The façade is composed of terracotta panels referencing the historic bank structure’s regal columns alongside glass with black mullions. The building’s rounded corners, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and striking height distinguish it from the surrounding neighborhood, presenting unobstructed views of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The structure’s curved corners provide a visual link connecting the different façades of the building, and aesthetic interest. Lower floors pinwheel off the central tower, each connecting to the four streets of the block.

Bordering South 5th Street, the residential and commercial lobbies sit next to each other. The residential entrance is surrounded by terracotta panels with bronze highlights jutting out to the street-line. The pulled-back commercial entrance features black steel and metal with a revolving door. Overhead, an elongated canopy connects the two entrances.

Inside the commercial lobby, a concrete wall is outfitted with a stained-glass and metal work by the artist Tom Fruin that has its starting point in found detritus of New York City. Opposite this wall is a dark scalloped wood wall leading to the elevator lobby; that wood is repeated at the reception desk. Similar to the new building’s façade, the scalloping references the columns of the historic bank in form and texture. Air-conditioning units and sprinklers are hidden in grills along the side wall, allowing the ceiling to have a clean, uncomplicated look. Under-foot is a polished concrete floor. Offices on floors two through five each feature massive outdoor terraces.

The residential lobby honors the exterior through its extension of the terracotta curvature seen in its scalloped walls which feature carved-out bookshelves. Minimalist, elegant furnishings, soft lighting, and a work by the artist Swoon—who also completed a mural on the building’s façade—combine to create a welcoming, fresh, and warm environment. The first floor mailroom features a playful nod to the original bank with its coin crest pattern wall covering.

Amenities include an expansive terrace, community garden, yoga studio, fitness center, two lounge areas; one a co-working space with the other employing a bar concept, and a half basketball court. At the penthouse level, a vintage-style speakeasy lounge looks out over the city. Custom millwork lines the walls while warm library lighting and artworks accentuate the space, directly connecting to an outdoor terrace.

Apartments are comprised of studio through three-bedroom units, crowned by two striking penthouses. Penthouses and select residences feature expansive private terraces. Curved, picture-height windows afford incredible views of the surrounding city and fill the apartments with light.     

Project Details
Fogarty Finger

Project Name
The Dime

Chris Fogarty, AIA

World Design Awards Category
Mixed-Use Built

Project Location
New York

Chris Fogarty, AIA, Harshad Pillai, Jacob Sandmann, RA, Bhumika Desai, Candace Rimes, Julie Molloy, Alejandra Rojas, Ayaka Hales, Iman Johnson

United States

Photography ©Credit
©Alexander Severin

Fogarty Finger is committed to redefining the urban built environment through evocative and pragmatic projects. The firm’s award-winning work captures the spirit of its surroundings while creating a layered sense of materiality and refinement. Results encapsulate smart design solutions that are responsive to the moment yet timeless in appeal.

The firm’s prominent commercial and residential projects showcase strength in architecture and interior design. The architecture practice authors notable large-scale ground-up projects in NYC and nationally. The interior design practice establishes a distinct voice by bringing color, warmth and culture in creating consistently beautiful commercial and multi-family residential settings.

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