The History of DUMBO: From Industrial Waterfront to Creative Powerhouse

DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is now one of NYC’s premier destinations for creative office space, design firms, and innovative companies, but its identity is rooted in a compelling story of transformation.

From Manufacturing Hub to Creative Landscape

In the 1800s and early 1900s, DUMBO thrived as an industrial center with factories, warehouses, and businesses fueled by its waterfront access. The area’s brick buildings, heavy timber beams, and large windows were built for production and storage, but unintentionally created the blueprint for what would become ideal studio and loft-style creative offices. Walking DUMBO’s Belgian-block streets today, you’re seeing the preserved architecture that once powered industry, and now powers creativity.

The Creative Rebirth

When manufacturing left New York in the mid-20th century, DUMBO quieted down. But the empty warehouses didn’t stay empty for long. In the 1970s and 1980s, artists, designers, photographers, and musicians moved in, drawn by large affordable spaces and natural light. Former machine floors became studios; old storage facilities became art galleries. The neighborhood shifted from industrial output to creative expression—and the foundation of today’s design-driven economy was established.

Two Trees and the Reinvention of DUMBO

DUMBO’s modern chapter began in the 1990s when Two Trees Management acquired key buildings and restored them with a focus on architectural character and adaptive reuse. Properties such as 45 Main Street, 55 Washington, and 20 Jay Street were converted into design-forward commercial spaces that retained historic features while enabling modern productivity.

Today, these buildings are home to architecture studios, digital agencies, tech startups, design firms, and creative headquarters that chose DUMBO for its atmosphere and ecosystem.

DUMBO Today: A Global Design District

Now officially recognized as a Design District, DUMBO attracts companies seeking workspace that inspires design thinking and creative output. Two Trees offers a range of environments tailored for different working styles and business needs, including:

1) Private Offices for focused, high-productivity teams

2) Custom Built Offices designed to reflect a brand’s unique identity and work.

3) Creative Studios ideal for designers, artists, and production environments.

4) Showrooms for product display, material libraries, and experiential brand. presentations.

5) Retail Spaces surrounded by high-foot-traffic streets and a design-aware audience.

Each space benefits from DUMBO’s unique blend of historic architecture and modern amenities, placing businesses within a collaborative, highly visible creative ecosystem. It’s a neighborhood built for design-forward thinking—and for companies that want to be part of a world-recognized creative community.

The Future of Work in DUMBO

As DUMBO evolves, its core values remain: authenticity, creativity, and community. Rather than erasing its industrial past, the neighborhood builds on it—creating a rare mix of heritage and innovation that continues to draw design-conscious thinkers and modern companies.