Morris Adjmi Architects

To design a large-scale building that both stands out and fits in, Mason Gray is composed of a variety of volumes and roof forms, each coming together to pay homage to unique aspects of the neighborhood’s historic fabric. In particular, Mason Gray’s massing was informed by the pitched rooflines of the adjacent Hebron Seventh Day Adventist Church and School. Known as the “crown jewel” of Crown Heights, the building was completed in 1889 and designated a New York City Landmark in 2011. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) also influenced the building’s size and shape by requiring the visibility of surrounding historical facades to be maintained throughout the site. 

Two 7-story volumes that contain the 158 residential apartments are connected by a low-scale volume that serves as the new building’s lobby while providing a relief that frames the church’s tallest peak. Mason Gray’s facade also takes on varying forms depending on which side of the building is viewed. The street-facing facade has a more rectangular shape to mirror the adjacent row homes across Sterling Place, while the rear facade mirrors the triangular forms of the church and school.

Detailed brickwork contributes to the building’s character. Both residential volumes are clad in different but complementary brickwork, featuring intricate patterns that blend historical and contemporary influences to create depth and dimension