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Uovo, an art logistics and storage company, is preparing to construct a new facility in Bushwick, Brooklyn. This 240,000 sq. ft building aims to augment the 150,000 sq. ft space they inaugurated nearby in 2020. Uovo, well-known for serving prominent museums, collectors, and galleries, is currently seeking permission from city officials to rezone a parking area at 74 Bogart Street for the project. The development plans include state-of-the-art, climate-controlled storage spaces for art, wine, and fashion, along with private viewing galleries and multi-functional project spaces. In terms of size, the proposed building would be roughly 9% larger than the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has 220,000 sq. ft of floor space.
A Uovo representative announced receiving substantial backing from the local community board for this venture and is optimistic about progressing through the subsequent phases of the land use review process. The company envisions turning the existing parking lot into a cutting-edge facility that will employ Brooklyn residents while supporting city-wide cultural institutions. Despite a historical dominance of warehouses in the area, some community members resist the project. Concerns include worsening the neighborhood's current housing deficit and increasing rental costs. Nevertheless, proponents highlight that the site is zoned for commercial use, not housing, and could generate employment opportunities for locals.
Recently, an online open letter from a community member urged others to oppose the project. The letter criticizes the development as non-beneficial for the neighborhood, portraying it as a secured storage vault for affluent individuals' valuable art collections, inaccessible to the local residents. In contrast, Uovo assures the alignment of the project with the community board's vision of benefiting the area. It pledges direct support for art education at a local school and ongoing assistance for local artists.
Uovo has a partnership with the Brooklyn Museum, having launched the annual Uovo Prize in 2019. This initiative grants a $25,000 unrestricted award, an exhibit at the museum, and a mural at Uovo's Bushwick site to a New York-based artist. Melissa Joseph was the latest recipient of this prize, announced earlier this month. Moreover, Uovo plans to contribute financially to improvements in Maria Hernandez Park, located nearby, which recently initiated a $6.7 million renovation.
The new facility is set to feature seven floors, situated next to an existing CubeSmart storage center developed by the same team now engaged in Uovo's project. This team reportedly purchased the land for $45.5 million in 2019. The design firm S9 Architecture has been tasked with designing the new facility. Founded by Steven Guttman in 2013, Uovo already manages 30 facilities across 24 U.S. locations, including their Long Island City, Queens headquarters spanning 280,000 sq. ft.
Uovo's proposed expansion reflects the company's commitment to expanding its influence in New York's art storage and logistics sector. While the venture receives mixed reactions from locals, the company maintains that the facility will provide multiple benefits, including community support and job creation.
