We’ve got an exciting addition to our Untapped Cities event series this fall! We’re partnering with Chashama to offer 4 lucky readers a chance to win a free tour of the historic Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park on Saturday, September 20th (details to enter below). The terminal is four million square feet of history, which dates back to the days of World War I. It is also one of the most stunning architectural places in the city, open to the public only in the last few years.
Built in only 17 months by architect Cass Gilbert, the Brooklyn Army Terminal has been used for various purposes since it first broke ground in 1818. During the Prohibition years, the Federal Government used the Terminal as a storage and disposal center for alcohol (to this day you can still hear the whooshing of good beer gone to waste). Not long after, the terminal began to fulfill its original purpose, as it was the largest supply base for the U.S military during World War II. It is the place where American Icon Elvis Presley shipped out to Germany.
Until 1981, the Terminal was closed off to the public, just used for storage purposes. That was the case until New York State bought the property from the federal government and spent the next six years remodeling it for private offices.
Chashama, which means “to have vision” in Farsi currently manages over 120 artists studios, along with galleries, art offices, performance venues, and affordable housing for artists. The Brooklyn Army Terminal studio is the largest in their subsidized studio program, nurturing painters, photographers, sculptors and experimental mixed media artists with affordable work and presentation spaces. For one weekend only this September, guests can visit over 85 studios, meet the artists, explore finished art and works-in-progress, and join a tour to experience the rich history of the Brooklyn Army Terminal buildings. The tour we’re offering of the studios, run by the Municipal Art Society and Chashama, will be at 2:30pm.
You’ll also get to see other parts of the terminal and its amazing “B” facility. An atrium, 950 feet long, which still features many of the original architectural features. You can also join our upcoming tour of the Brooklyn Army Terminal on October 26th, which features a specially-curated tour for Untapped Cities readers:
For a more detailed history of the Brooklyn Army Terminal, check out our feature on it. As well as our recap of our last tour through the Chashama art studios.
To contact the author of this post, find him on twitter @TatteredFedora
