‘Drinking Birds’ Artist Lists Gowanus Loft Building Filled With Hand-Crafted Interiors for $3.5M

Sometimes what you see is more than first meets the eye. That was definitely the case in the early ’90s when internationally exhibited artist Daniel Reynolds, known for his utterly mesmerizing life-sized “Drinking Birds” installation, purchased this 30-foot-by-90-foot mixed-use building on the south side of Union Street in Gowanus.

This listing, priced at $3.5 million, is unique in that its beautiful live and work spaces were designed with an artist’s vision, as well as in its creative pedigree and many possibilities for use. Included are three market-rate lofts, a roof deck and an artist’s workspace–an excellent investment on a prime Brooklyn block. Each loft offers unique hand-crafted marble baths, restored working fireplaces with stone mantles, stainless steel kitchens, and restored 19th-century tin detailing put to use in an unconventional yet breathtaking way.

With the help of his artisan colleagues, Reynolds designed and rebuilt the entire space. Custom creative additions include 1930s pharmaceutical cabinetry salvaged from the Bowery and tin walls that were restored by stripping a century’s worth of paint. All of the marble found in the apartment was hand-cut from 1950s diner countertops and fashioned into wider tiles for the kitchen floor and smaller ones for tiles in the bathroom.

Building mechanics are in great shape as well. The building is just two blocks from the R train in a coveted location at the crossroads of Gowanus, Park Slope and Carrol Gardens.

Reynolds has presented exhibitions consisting of six-and-a-half-foot-tall drinking birds–just like the popular perpetual motion novelty item. The big birds work by the same evaporative heat-transfer method, but their size leaves quite an impact.

[Listing: 575 Union Street by Les Meyers and Alexandra Meyers for Compass]

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Images courtesy of Compass