Open House New York is this coming weekend. Here are a few of the more interesting places and spaces in Brooklyn:
All weekend:
The Castle Braid
114 Troutman St/ Evergreen Ave, Bushwick
A former factory space has been converted to 146 apartments with a playful and industrial designed lobby and courtyard creating a modern yet warm atmosphere.
The City Reliquary
370 Metropolitan Ave/ Havemeyer St, Williamsburg
The museum celebrates NYC’s rich history and Williamsburg’s local character through its unique collections, relics and ephemera. Enjoy backyard and sidewalk camaraderie while experiencing obsessive collecting at its best.
Greenpoint View
82 Oak St/ Franklin St, Greenpoint
Located in a former feather factory on Greenpoint’s historic waterfront, this combined gallery and studio space houses workshops and a showroom.
The Green-Wood Cemetery
500 25th St/ 5th Ave, Sunset Park
The final resting place of some of NYC’s most memorable people covers 478 picturesque acres of rolling hills, ponds, trees, lawn and sculpture. On Sat, the cemetery landscape comes alive with Angels and Accordions, a site-specific tour and dance/ live music performance.
Hendrick I. Lott House
1940 E 36th St/ Filmore Ave, Marine Park
Get a behind-the-scenes-preview of this partially restored Dutch Colonial farmhouse, not yet open to the public. A panel exhibition, unique Lott Family objects, and archaeological discoveries from the site will be on display. [Way off the beaten path for North Brooklyn, but included here because once upon a time I worked on the first phase of the restoration of this 18th-century farmhouse.]
McCarren Park Pool
800 Lorimer St/ Bayard St, Greenpoint
One of 10 public pools built by the WPA, this pool could hold 6,800 swimmers at once. After years of use as performance space, it is now being redeveloped as a pool, ice skating rink and event space.
MINE metal/art
177 Grand St/ Bedford Ave, Williamsburg
This retail store and design showroom features the work of local metalworkers and artists. Pick up a walking map to view Kristina Kozak’s outdoor commissioned pieces throughout the neighborhood. [And to see where Kozak makes the magic happen, see Barzel Iron Works, below.]
Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
329 Greenpoint Ave/ Humboldt St, Greenpoint
Dominating the local skyline with its stainless steel digester “eggs,” this wastewater treatment plant is the largest of the 14 NYC Department of Environmental Protection plants. The new facility is also home to a Nature Walk and Visitors Center.
Pier Glass Art Studio
499 Van Brunt St, #2A, Red Hook
This Civil War-era warehouse sits on the upper Bay of NY Harbor facing the Statue of Liberty and is constructed of cut granite rock, virgin timber from the Hudson Valley, and Brooklyn bricks. It now houses a glassblowing studio and exhibition space.
UrbanGlass
57 Rockwell Pl/ 647 Fulton St, Fort Greene
Explore the 17,000 sqare-foot glass-working studios including a Hot Shop, Flat Shop, Mold Shop, Flame-working, and Neon studio. Robert Lehman Gallery at UrbanGlass exhibits work by emerging artists working in glass.
The Waterfront Museum and Showboat Barge
290 Conover St/ Pier 44, Red Hook
Lehigh Valley RR Barge #79 is the only floating, wooden, covered barge of its kind in America, and features exhibits about its restoration and transition into a waterborne museum.
Sunday only:
Barzel Iron Works
61 Jefferson St/ Bushwick Ave., Bushwick
Metal artist Kristina Kozak’s 15,000 sq ft studio is located in a working blacksmithing shop owned by Nat Barzily, and features heavy equipment and several hot forges
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Pier 1/ Furman & Old Fulton Sts, Fulton Ferry (DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights)
This 85-acre park, now under construction, will provide access to Brooklyn’s waterfront and spectacular views of the harbor and skyline. [Reservations required]