DeSimone Consulting Engineering has been officially recognized for its innovative structural and facade engineering on the new Olympia DUMBO residential tower in Brooklyn, New York. This sail-shaped, luxury tower offers 175,000 square feet of upscale residences, a 70,000-square-foot amenities podium, and features like New York City’s highest private outdoor tennis court and a shipwreck-themed playground.
Completed in spring 2024, the 26-story tower, designed by Hill West Architects with interiors by Workstead, stands 450 feet high near the Brooklyn Bridge. The structure’s sail-like form required advanced engineering solutions. To manage the complex load distribution, DeSimone introduced sloping columns alongside traditional vertical ones, balancing structural forces and ensuring stability. These columns generated horizontal forces, impacting structural slabs; DeSimone calculated slab thickness and sheer wall positions to create effective load paths. The team utilized high-strength, pre-cast concrete and sustainable, voided slabs for open spaces.
For the facade, DeSimone engineered two distinct zones: a textured podium with deep window reveals and an upper tower zone that twists as it rises. Prefabricated, ship-lapped precast panels and unitized window walls enhance both aesthetics and energy efficiency. The facade system, shop-fabricated for efficiency, includes thermal insulation and weather barriers, reducing labor costs and the project’s carbon footprint.
The design has garnered early accolades: the Concrete Industry Board of New York’s 2024 Roger H. Corbetta Mid-Rise Award of Merit with Special Recognition and a shortlist for the UK’s Society of Facade Engineering New Build International award. Developed by Fortis Property Group, Olympia DUMBO sets a new standard in sustainable, elegant urban living.