William Ulmer Brewery, Historic brewery complex in Bushwick, Brooklyn, US
The William Ulmer Brewery is a four-building complex in Bushwick, Brooklyn, constructed between 1872 and 1890 with red brick facades and German round-arch architectural details. The layout combines an office building, brew house, engine-machine house, and stable-storage building into one connected industrial site.
William Ulmer, a German immigrant, founded the brewery in 1871 and operated it successfully until Prohibition in 1920 forced its closure. The four buildings, erected during Brooklyn's brewing expansion, represent how industrial production facilities grew during this period.
The complex represents the strong influence of German immigrants in Brooklyn's industrial development, particularly in the brewing industry of the late 19th century.
The complex sits along Belvidere Street in Bushwick as one connected industrial site that is easy to walk through. The brick architecture and layout of the linked buildings are visible from street level, giving a clear view of the entire facility.
This facility became the first brewery in New York City to gain landmark status when officially designated in 2010, setting an important precedent for protecting the city's industrial heritage. The recognition highlights how Brooklyn's brewing traditions have come to be valued again.
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