Inside the Crumbling Empire Stores Warehouse in DUMBO

Structural damage at the Empire Stores Warehouse has closed one exit to Empire State Park in DUMBO. The building -- which used to store coffee in the 1800s -- has been disintegrating for years. (Various developers had various plans for the building, but they all fell through.)

The Bushwick Courier reported in April that, according to the BBP General Project Plan, "ultimately a request for proposals (RFP) to privately develop the Empire Stores will go out, with money raised to go toward making Brooklyn Bridge Park self-sustaining."

Brownstoner mentioned in July that AMNY listed the Empire Stores as one of "10 historic buildings in the five boroughs that seem to be dying of neglect."

We had a chance to take a peek of the interior the other day. It's rather eerie, and confirms the state's report that there are "structural deficiencies and deteriorating conditions" there. Don't know what that hook-like structure that descends through the ceiling was used for.

Empire Stores at night.

Photos by MK Metz

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