Collaboration with J.L. Ramirez Architect and FAB314AW
Completed, 2025.

Opal Residences is a six-story, ground-up residential development in the Gravesend neighborhood of South Brooklyn, designed to support a multigenerational community along the Avenue U corridor. The project creates housing that allows long-time residents to remain nearby their families and established social networks, reinforcing the neighborhood’s strong cultural continuity.

Balancing this community-driven mission with architectural clarity and development efficiency, Opal Residences delivers a collection of well-planned residences within a rational, highly efficient framework. The building responds to the scale and rhythm of its surroundings while introducing a refined, contemporary identity, positioning it as both a residential asset and a meaningful addition to the evolving fabric of South Brooklyn.

Opal Residences is defined by a disciplined architectural system that aligns design expression with construction efficiency. A consistent grid is expressed on the façade through vertical limestone fins and deeply recessed openings, creating a strong visual rhythm while simplifying the building envelope to a limited set of recurring parts.

The double-height lobby creates a grand entrance and features a lush interior, complete with travertine slabs on the floor and walls, with wood-veneer wall accents throughout. A glass-enclosed penthouse introduces a lighter architectural expression, distinguishing the building at the skyline while accommodating premium interior spaces.

Throughout, the Opal’s residential layouts are carefully planned to maximize efficiency, natural light, and livability, supporting long-term occupancy and aging-in-place. The result is a cohesive design that integrates architectural clarity with practical development priorities, delivering a high-performing, unapologetic, community-oriented oasis.

Photos: Some Kind of Creative

PROJECT TEAM

Developer – Redhoek + Partners
Design Lead/Interior Design – J.L. Ramirez Architect / Jose Ramirez, Jonathan Bryer, Justin Paraiso, Candy Salinas
Architecture – Pliskin Architecture / Emily Nguyen, Josh Jow, Hyuein Song, Tigran Kostandyan, Barak Pliskin
Associate Designer –FAB314AW / Nimrod Meir Levi
General Contractor – Redhoek Construction
Structural Engineering – SET / Structural Engineering Technologies
MEP Engineering – A&D Engineering, PLLC
Expediter – PDG Building Consultants
Facade – Gammastone, Reynaers