An interior renovation in DUMBO Historic District, 205 Water Street incorporates an interplay of industrial materials and Danish craftsmanship into a Brooklyn penthouse loft. Spanning three floors, the penthouse features 2,300 sq ft of outdoor space with sweeping views of Manhattan and the East River.

The home pays homage to the industrial metalwork that defines DUMBO through a cantilevered Corten steel exterior, contrasting against the grey cast-in-place concrete of the surrounding architecture. Overlooking the Manhattan Bridge, the home integrates elements of the neighborhood’s manufacturing past – steel, concrete, and wood – layered with natural materials and colorful accents that blend the raw with the refined.

Upon entering directly from the elevator, a custom steel bookshelf reaches the 20-ft ceiling, stretching 25 ft wide. The living room celebrates the lofty ceiling heights with a commissioned life-size giraffe photograph by Andrew Zuckerman on the wall. The bespoke sofa is a collaboration between Dinesen and Kvadrat with accent cushion from Ashanti Design, which are handwoven by South African artists out of scraps of T-shirt fabric. Interspersed throughout the living room are artworks such as Jeppe Hein’s Mirror Balloon – which reappears in the home office – and Window Garden by Rosenthal.

The dining area features a custom fiberglass table designed in collaboration with Fiberline Composites A/S, illuminated by Stellar Nebula lamps designed by BIG with Artemide. A metal staircase connects the dining area to a hidden mezzanine, which floats above the table and adds a cozy nook to the space.

The steel kitchen is entirely custom designed by Karsten Vang, featuring waxed raw steel countertops, bespoke sinks and handles, and a custom gas stove imported from Denmark. Suspended above the island, a BIG-designed steel tube integrates LED lighting while doubling as practical storage for pots and pans. Adding character to the space, a Humans since 1982 clock adorns the concrete wall, while Jenny Holzer’s Inflammatory Essays introduces a pop of color.

One of the home’s original staircases was removed to create a single and more seamless connection from floor to floor. Stainless steel cables act as the guardrails on the new egress-turned-circulation staircase.

The light-filled primary bedroom continues the home’s tribute to Danish craftsmanship with Fritz Hansen furniture and Møbelsnedkeri cabinetry, blending comfort, functionality, and elegance. The custom Dinesen bed’s headboard also functions as a desk.

With the circulation staircase to the mezzanine removed, the newly available space on the upper level was transformed into a primary bathroom, featuring a glass wall that overlooks the lower floor. Rather than a traditional door, a chain curtain serves as a playful divider between the bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom is finished with Made a Mano glazed lava stone, VOLA fixtures, and custom chromatized vanities.

A light-filled office bookended by spacious terraces to the east and west crowns the space. The office walls reveal exposed concrete, while the ceiling is enveloped with Virginia Creeper vines that extend inside from the terraces.

Outside, the plantings spill over the edges of the terraces, creating a vibrant contrast against the steel and concrete framework. The west terrace is outfitted with an outdoor kitchen, a custom dining table by New York Stone, and planter boxes clad in Corten steel, complementing the penthouse’s exterior design. The commissioned Astronaut Cosmonaut by Belgian artist Victor Ash is suspended in space on the east terrace sliding glass doors.