Welcome to Timber House, Brooklyn’s Wood‑Worthy Wonder!
Picture this: you’re strolling down 670 Union Street, surrounded by the classic brick façade of Brooklyn’s tree‑lined block. But once you step inside, you’ll discover that this 14‑apartment condo is not just another brick and concrete joint—it’s a forest in a building!
What Makes It So “Timber”‑y?
In a city where glass towers and steel skeletons rule the skyline, Timber House becomes the first mass‑timber condo in the city—maybe even the state! “It’s only six stories, yet it’s built from glued‑laminated Douglas fir, a kind of structurally engineered wood that’s both strong and eco‑friendly,” says Eric Liftin, principal of Mesh Architectures.
Why Wood Instead of Concrete?
- Look‑good factor: Natural grain and warm tones turn every corridor into an art gallery.
- Carbon footprint: Wood is a renewable resource—every tree locks in CO₂, turning the building into a negative carbon machine (yes, it’s as cool as it sounds).
- Fire safety: Mass timber forms a char layer that actually insulates the structure, keeping it sturdy even when things burn.
Energy‑Efficiencies That’ll Keep Your Wallet (and the Planet) Happy
- Highly insulated walls + solar panels on the roof keep heat in and energy high.
- Electric heat pumps for both heating and cooling—because who wants a fossil‑fuel furnace?
- Each parking spot in the underground garage has an EV charging station—think of it as a 21st‑century plug‑and‑play check‑in spot.
Prices & Availability
Rent‑to‑own: Studio starts at $600,000 (S$829,240); three‑bedroom loft tops out at $3 million. With twelve of the fourteen condos already sold, it’s officially the next big thing in Brooklyn apartment living.
Callbacks from the Green‑Genius Crew
Suzan Wines, owner of I-Beam Design and adjunct professor at City College of New York, sums it up: “Steel and concrete unleash massive CO₂—about 10% each globally. Wood, on the other hand, essentially pulls carbon out of the air, giving trees a negative impact.”
Future‑Proof? Absolutely!
With the International Building Code now allowing timber construction up to 18 stories, the U.S. is hand‑shaking a greener future. Liftin hopes Timber House will be the blueprint for next‑gen sustainable urban homes—and perhaps a gentle reminder that the next glass tower might just be next to a backyard in a tree‑house.
Ready to Move In?
Moving plans kick off this fall. Get your green thumbs ready—only if you have kittens or dogs can you make the best use of this timber‑tastic tease of natural living.
