An early Brooklyn loft conversion makes for spacious, light-filled units
A prime location and oversized loft apartments are the hallmarks of this former Brooklyn factory, according to Farbod Yarahmadi, an agent with the Bogard New York Team at SERHANT. “Location-wise, it’s in one of the best areas in Boerum Hill. You’re a couple of blocks from Downtown Brooklyn and the Barclays Center and all the subway lines,” he says. Shopping and restaurants are a few blocks in the opposite direction, giving residents a choice between cobblestone Brooklyn and the indoor arena and mall. Inside, residents benefit from the light that only a loft can provide. “All the apartments in the building have 12-foot-high ceilings. They are oversized,” Yarahmadi explains. Many owners bring their creativity with them when they invest here, using well-placed furniture, interesting color combinations and ceiling treatments to make things cozier. Some add internal walls to create an intimate vibe, while others have opened everything up to get as much light and air as possible. Originally built as a beer bottling plant and later converted to the headquarters of Ex-Lax; the name can still be found above its arched entrance and blue doors. Until the building went condo in 1981, one of the first loft conversions in Brooklyn, the Ex-Lax name and its claim to fame as “the chocolate laxative” was even emblazoned on the building. The company did not shy away from animal testing and, before going residential, there was even a monkey house on the roof. “My fondest recollections are that they had on the roof these monkeys, which were the vilest-tempered monkeys you’ve ever seen. Personally, I don’t blame them,” a retired employee said, according to a 1997 article in The New York Times. The monkeys’ glass-block home is now a studio attached to one of the apartments and surrounded by a large terrace.
Open layouts, 12-foot ceilings and industrial-chic vibes
The building has 69 units, with the majority of residences having one or two bedrooms, plus a handful of apartments with three or four bedrooms. The square footage of homes here is generally larger than other properties in the area, partly because of its lofted ceilings. “The amount of space people get for their money in a new development compared to units in this building is very small,” says Yarahmadi. Most one-bedrooms in newer buildings are about 650 square feet, he notes, but they are more like 1,000 square feet at the former Ex-Lax building. Case in point: Yarahmadi was representing a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit on the market for $1.15 million in the first quarter of 2025; it features clerestory windows that help bring in light, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and space for a foyer, office and combined living and dining space with a partially open kitchen. The fourth-floor space also has views of the Verrazzano Bridge and the surrounding neighborhood. Also in winter 2025, a two-bedroom with an industrial vibe — think ceiling beams, exposed brick walls and weathered wood floors — and a vast great room that could be converted into a living area plus a third bedroom asked $2.75 million. Some owners have added an open, upper-level gallery space to units, but those that have not traded recently may need upgrades. “But because the units are so big, buyers can use their imaginations and design the space the way they want.” Some residences also have outdoor space, and they are allowed to have washers and dryers, as well as in-wall or central air-conditioning.
A rooftop lounge with views of the neighborhood
The co-op has a landscaped roof terrace with wood benches, tables and chairs. It offers far-reaching views over the neighborhood and beyond. A video intercom system that syncs with residents’ smartphones allows them to buzz in guests or delivery people from wherever they are. There’s also a central laundry room, although many units have individual washers and dryers, and an on-site super.
Blocks from Barclays and historic Brooklyn
The Barclays Center, home of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and WNBA’s New York Liberty, is an anchor of the neighborhood about three blocks away. In addition to sports, it hosts numerous concerts and events throughout the year. Atlantic Terminal also has a shopping center, with stores like Apple, Target, Old Navy and Stop & Shop. There’s a carpet warehouse on the ground floor of the building, and smaller stores and businesses are also nearby in Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill. The Brooklyn Academy of Music, better known as BAM, is about a 10-minute walk from the building, while the EastVille Comedy Club is on the next block. Restaurants that share the block with the co-op include Middle Eastern eatery Bedouin Tent, French restaurant Bacchus and Betty Bakery.
Walkable to a transportation hub
Barclays Center is a nexus for several trains, including the B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4 and 5 lines. It also houses the Long Island Rail Road’s Atlantic Terminal, offering service east to parts of Queens, Long Island and the Hamptons. The building is also about five blocks south of the Nevins Street station, where the 2, 3, 4 and 5 trains stop. The B63 offers service along Atlantic Avenue, while drivers can access Interstate 278 at the western end of the avenue, less than 10 blocks away.
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Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
4/ 10
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
94/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
99/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
North Pacific Playground
3 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Thomas Greene Playground
9 min walk
Basketball
Pool
Skateboard
Boerum Playground
10 min walk
Basketball
Trails
Playground
South Oxford Park
13 min walk
Tennis
Playground
Columbus Park
14 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
Dean Playground
14 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Edmonds Playground
15 min walk
Basketball
Playground
McLaughlin Park
3 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Playground
Korean War Veterans Plaza
3 min drive
Picnic Area
Trails
Schools
Source:
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