A Park Slope industrial conversion at 47 Lincoln Place has transformed a cramped pre-war kitchen into an expansive U-shaped culinary workspace, according to a 2025 renovation design led by Bakes & Kropp Senior Designer Ellen Schott. Built originally in 1910 and locally known as the “Sneaker Factory” from the 1970s and 1980s when it functioned as a discount footwear spot, the three-story building features large windows, multi-level layouts, outdoor terraces, and ceilings reaching up to 25 feet.
Reworking the 1910 Industrial Conversion Layout
The redesign turned the building’s units into a duplex apartment while solving a major functional problem. In the previous layout, cooking and socializing competed for the same square footage. According to Schott, the design team reconfigured the kitchen into a U-shaped layout to establish clear work zones.
The project brought together multiple design professionals. Santiago Tomas of Santiago Tomas Interiors collaborated on the effort, alongside kitchen designer Sabrina Antony of atelier bauherr and lighting designer Staci Ruiz. To ensure multiple users could move through the room smoothly, Schott noted that the design team positioned the refrigerator outside of the primary cooking zone.
Pro Tip: When designing a multi-user kitchen in a loft space, isolate the refrigeration and high-traffic storage zones away from the primary cooktop and prep areas to prevent congestion during social gatherings.
Custom Cabinetry and Warm Material Palettes
To match the building’s historical industrial character without making the interior feel cold, the kitchen utilizes a limited material palette. Custom cabinetry from Bakes & Kropp’s Madison and Emerson collections pairs light oak with a custom blue-green painted base, according to the design details. The Madison cabinets feature a slim mitered frame profile.
Appliances integrated into the design include brands such as Fisher & Paykel, Bosch, Sub-Zero, and Wolf.
Tailored Storage Solutions and Lighting Design
The serious cook who owns the home required specialized storage accommodations. Schott stated that the team developed highly tailored solutions, including custom tray dividers, corner pull-outs, and deep drawers equipped with concealed roll-out storage.
To display the owner’s Japanese pottery collection, the kitchen features fluted glass-front cabinets framed in black powder-coated metal. According to the design team, the black metal frames visually tie back to the steel range hood, reinforcing the loft’s factory origins. An unusual architectural puzzle—the angled space beneath a staircase—was solved with custom-built cabinetry designed to follow the stair’s slope. Schott described the triangle-shaped storage as furniture-like rather than utilitarian, creating a clear transition between the kitchen, dining, and living spaces.
A stone-clad peninsula houses the sink and acts as the central social hub of the kitchen. Overhead, layered lighting designed by Staci Ruiz washes over the stone and oak surfaces in tiers rather than relying on a single overhead source.
Did You Know? The building at 47 Lincoln Place earned the local moniker “Sneaker Factory” because it operated as a discount footwear destination selling factory seconds during the 1970s and 1980s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What building is this kitchen renovation located in?
The kitchen is located inside a 1910 pre-war industrial conversion situated at 47 Lincoln Place in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Who led the kitchen cabinetry design?
The cabinetry design was led by Ellen Schott, Senior Designer at Bakes & Kropp.
What appliance brands are used in the kitchen?
The kitchen incorporates appliances from brands including Fisher & Paykel, Bosch, Sub-Zero, and Wolf.
How was the space beneath the staircase handled?
Bakes & Kropp built custom furniture-like cabinetry tailored to follow the triangular slope of the staircase, solving a complex design puzzle.
What do you think of this industrial loft transformation? Share your thoughts or design questions in the comments below.
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