People are coming back to the office—begrudgingly, maybe—but they are returning and Two Trees wants to make it as easy as possible for companies to move in.
The Brooklyn-based real estate firm’s new project, The Refinery at Domino in Williamsburg, offers a plug-in-play solution without the hassle of long construction timelines. The Refinery’s suite of pre-built offices spans multiple floors with the largest, a whopping 31,000 square feet, occupying the 12th floor.
A pre-built office is precisely what it sounds like: a fully furnished space with a functional layout and amenities suitable for a variety of different types of businesses. The concept isn’t new, but it may help meet expected demand as many companies begin marshalling workers back to the workplace.
“Most of these companies that we’re seeing here care about the vibe, they care about the design, they care about the community, but most of them are really busy,” says Alyssa Zahler, Two Trees’ director of leasing. “They want something they can just come in, move their furniture in, plug in their computers, and be ready to go.”
A Building Within a Building
Originally built in the 1800s as a sugar refinery, the building once processed nearly 80% of the country’s sugar supply. However, its original design prioritized machinery over people, leading to an unusual window alignment and structural challenges.
To modernize the space while maintaining its landmark status, Two Trees and architect Vishaan Chakrabarti’s firm, Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, developed a building-within-a-building concept. “Instead of simply inserting glass into the existing structure, we designed an entirely new glass and steel building inside the original brick shell,” Zahler says.
Between the brick and glass structures, a 10-foot interstitial space filled with greenery serves as a natural buffer, maintained by Domino Park’s horticultural team. “The Refinery gives tenants access to light-filled, column-free spaces with floor-to-ceiling views of the city and waterfront,” Zahler says.
Credit: Dan Levin
The Pre-Built Model
For interiors, Two Trees turned to Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture which defined The Refinery’s pre-built approach with high design, flexibility, and speed-to-market.
“Instead of a blank slate, tenants walk into a fully built-out space that includes conference rooms, private offices, lounge areas, and high-end finishes—all ready for immediate occupancy,” says Dominic Kozerski, a co-founder and principal of Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture.
The model proved successful. On the 6th floor, eight of nine pre-built offices leased within months. Based on this demand, Two Trees doubled down on pre-built space, rolling out the largest pre-built office yet on the 12th floor.
“We had tremendous success at 10 Grand Street, our other office project in Williamsburg,” Zahler says. “We learned that 80% of our tenants live within walking or biking distance, and many were startups or creative firms looking for an upgrade from coworking spaces.”
Credit: Dan Levin
“The goal was to create an office environment where employees want to be, rather than feel forced to be,” Kozerski says.
To achieve this, Bonetti/Kozerski designed a layout that includes multiple work zones, including private offices, open desks, and large L-shaped couches with built-in power sources; a central raised conference room that serves as a presentation space, complete with stadium-style seating; strategically placed lounge areas, including one near the kitchen and another in a corner with sweeping skyline views; and operable windows and natural light, a rarity in many pre-built office spaces.
“There’s a balance between work and social spaces,” Kozerski says. “We’ve moved away from the open-plan, hot-desking model that dominated the 2000s and instead created spaces that respect individual work styles.”
Beyond its office amenities, The Refinery offers something unique in the New York market: access to nature and outdoor workspaces. The building is surrounded by Domino Park, and tenants can utilize the rooftop terrace and shared amenity spaces for everything from team meetings to private events.
“We kind of saved the best part of the space for our tenants,” Zahler says. “The glass dome at the top of the building features 30-foot ceilings, panoramic views, and a stunning lounge area. It’s an open, flowing space designed to encourage interaction and community.”
Other perks include an Equinox gym on-site, bike storage and a coffee bar that transitions into a wine bar at night.
The Future of Pre-Built Offices
The Refinery project started construction during the pandemic when the future of office leasing was anything but certain. “But the response has proven that companies still value well-designed office spaces that foster collaboration and productivity,” Zahler says.
Two Trees is continuing to expand its pre-built program, with an additional 60,000 square feet currently under development.
