At 9,000 square feet, Berg’n is a beer hall truly worthy of the name. The enormous venue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, belongs to the same group as insanely popular ‘burg outings Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea – and is the result of some major work by Selldorf Architects who turned the former garage into the neighbourhood’s hottest new eating and drinking hotspot. Berg’n is part of a larger redevelopment which included the historic Studebaker service centre next door, now home to 1000 Dean creative office spaces.
Selldorf had a big job on with this project, beginning with rebuilding the damaged façade with wood-moulded brick. Aluminium and glass “operable storefronts” (doors and windows wot open) replaced the existing garage doors, while internally, a section of roof was removed to create an indoor courtyard. Stained reclaimed pine and copper light fittings give the interior a contemporary feel, consciously avoiding what co-owner Jonathan Butler described as a “Brooklyn 2010” look. Heaven forfend. Beer choices include Peekskill Simple Sour and Sixpoint Sweet Action, and the food comes from Asia Dog, Pizza Moto, Ramen Burger™ and Mighty Quinn’s BBQ.
Images 2, 4, 6, 7, and 9: Jonathan Chesley.
Courtesy of Selldorf Architects
All other photography courtesy, Berg’n
