camp david: the creative destination making co-working cool in brooklyn

in one of the last remaining, relatively unchartered areas of brooklyn, a 16-building strong restored industrial complex known as industry city is making major waves on the east river waterfront. tucked in the southwest corner of the borough and boasting unparalleled views of the lower manhattan skyline, the 6 million square foot network of manufacturing facilities and warehouses is a new fountainhead for design-oriented businesses, cultural organizations, and a community of creative forces.

offices at camp david are flooded with light throughout the day
all images by thomas slack unless otherwise noted

in its prior life, industry city was the thriving bush terminal — an intermodal manufacturing, warehousing and distribution center that boomed throughout the late 1800s. by the 1960s, with urban manufacturing beginning its long decline, industry city suffered a 40-year-long period of decay. in 2013, a monumental redevelopment effort would change the face of the area forever, creating over 2,000 jobs in the research, engineering, design, manufacturing, and production sectors.

camp david is home to the office of designboom new york
image © designboom

today, industry city is a thriving ecosystem of culture and creative opportunity. established brands and emerging entrepreneurs alike are embraced by an ever-expanding campus and community. an innovation lab, courtyard concert series, rooftop cinema space, gourmet food court (and ever-instagrammable avocado-only bar), all contribute to a vibrant and varied environment for artists, architects, film production professionals, fashion designers and many more.

the site is already home to a wealth of entrepreneurs, freelancers, architects, and creative companies
image © designboom

recognizing the promise of industry city as a major creative hub, entrepreneurs mazdack rassi and erez shternlicht looked at the site with keen interest. with the idea to introduce collaborative workspaces to the area, and create a destination that challenged the norm, the two co-founded camp david — a mindfully-designed, light-filled co-working community spread across 60,000 square feet and three floors.

camp david is already home to a wealth of entrepreneurs, freelancers, architects, and creative companies — notably the US office of designboom new york.

the space has been mindfully-designed across 40,000 square feet and three floors

a tour through camp david’s three story setting instantly exhibits its elevation above the standard co-working scene. a milieu of both rich and rough materials — raw concrete, blackened steel, and calacatta marble — populate the space, jean prouvé’s ‘fauteuil de salon’ lounge chairs for vitra dot the pristine first floor, and prestigious architecture volumes line custom walnut shelves.

a milieu of both rich and rough materials are featured throughout

original timber flooring derived from the building’s former functions grounds the environment in its industrial past. light floods through existing warehouse windows, and glass doors open out to a courtyard with views of the new york harbor and statue of liberty.

prestigious architecture and design volumes line custom walnut shelves

collaborating closely with co-founders rassi and shternlicht, the interior environment has been carefully considered and crafted by new york-based designer david m. sullivan. together, the team looked towards the building’s industrial architecture and historic functions as a starting point for the project, forming an ambiance that marries modernism with a manufacturing heritage.

‘our goal with camp david is to provide an inspiring, sophisticated workspace so that small businesses, freelancers, and creative entrepreneurs can participate in and contribute to the economy growing around us,’ co-founder erez shternlicht describes.

the building’s industrial architecture and historic functions became a starting point for the project

sullivan also produced numerous bespoke design elements and prototype furniture and lighting for camp david. featured across the various levels are walnut and steel tables inspired by the designs of jean prouvé and charlotte perriand; low tables that utilize sandblasted brazilian granite; café and concierge areas; custom walnut paneling, and a series of welded steel and bronze light fixtures.

original timber flooring is derived from the building’s former functions

members and guests entering camp david’s first floor are greeted by a beautiful and bright reception team seated behind a marble concierge desk. also on lobby level are two boardrooms, custom-designed seating and work tables, and a coffee bar, with a curated list of wines and spirits available in the evening.

five lounges are laden with custom furniture and objets d’art

on the fifth floor are acoustically-sound private offices that accommodate between one and six people, as well as conference rooms, open-plan desks, and lounges laden with custom furniture and objets d’art. a fully-equipped prep kitchen is replete with marble countertops, polished concrete floors, bertoia side chairs, and oval eero saarinen-designed dining tables — not your typical trite office objects.

collaboration spaces are outfitted with high-end furnishings

on the lower level, a maker space has been designed for process, prototyping, creating, editing, and documenting. a professional content creation lab, video editing suite, tool wall, several industrial sewing machines, and hand-made work tables all make for a functional and fully equipped creative quarters.

jean prouvé ‘fauteuil de salon’ lounge chairs for vitra dot the pristine first floor

‘the creative fervor and sense of possibility in this neighborhood is palpable,’ camp david co-founder mazdack rassi explains. ‘there is just so much space — space to think, space to spread out, space to create and collaborate, space to evolve and grow.’

with its placement in burgeoning brooklyn, its careful focus on high-design, and abundance of on-site amenities, its clear that being part of camp david means more than having a place at a worktable.

on lobby level are two boardrooms, custom-designed seating and work tables, and a marble coffee bar