The Bowen Pairs Attainability with Exceptional Design in Downtown Brooklyn
by ELLIMAN INSIDER TEAM
July 2026
A new condominium development in Downtown Brooklyn is offering a rare combination of pre-war architecture, contemporary design and hotel-inspired amenities to buyers — including first-timers — looking to own a beautiful home in a vital and hyper-connected neighborhood.
Developed by Urban Development Partners in partnership with GF55 Architects and interior design firm CL-OTH, The Bowen comprises 71 distinctive residences within a historic building on 289 Schermerhorn Street, at the nexus of Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Fort Greene neighborhoods. Featuring innovative, contemporary interiors — many with flexible spaces intended for creative pursuits — The Bowen has been intentionally designed for a dynamic and comfortable life in perfect harmony with its environment.
Sales for the residences launched earlier this year through Douglas Elliman Development Marketing (DEDM), with prices ranging from $800,000 for studio layouts up to over $3 million for three-bedrooms.
“Downtown Brooklyn has always been the borough’s civic and cultural heart, but in the last decade it has matured into a vibrant, full‐time residential community,” said Ken Browne, Partner at Urban Development Partners. “The Bowen symbolizes and embodies that new era.”
“The Bowen is sensibly scaled like a residential club rather than an anonymous mega‐tower and that is precisely what’s been missing in Downtown Brooklyn,” said Greg Williamson, representative of the sales team with Douglas Elliman. “Finally, there is an attainably priced, intelligently designed luxury option for first-time buyers and the design-minded who want to own their future in Brooklyn.”
Heritage With an Edge
Born from a stately brick building from 1925, The Bowen has a unique architectural story. GF55 Architects has masterfully transformed the structure, doubling its height and creating the canvas for CL-OTH’s vision of an intimate residential enclave where residents are connected through shared appreciation for design, innovation and the city.
The Bowen’s residences evoke Brooklyn character with a modern attitude. Ranging from studio to three-bedrooms, the layouts are sensible and intuitive for today’s buyer, with generous space, abundant closets and an ideal balance of privacy and openness. Many homes in the collection have a dedicated space for creative pursuits that are intentionally left open to interpretation. These “flex rooms” can be a personal podcast studio, a writing room, a meditation space, an office, a crafting zone, an oversized pantry, a collector’s showcase – whatever inspires and moves you. Select homes also offer expansive private terraces, further extending living space outdoors.
With CL-OTH’s unique emphasis on materiality, the interiors feel warm and substantial, with custom cabinetry that has the sensibility of handmade furniture. Highlights include kitchens with walnut millwork cabinetry, Taj Mahal natural stone countertops, integrated JennAir appliance suites with induction cooktops and concealed hoods and curved islands or peninsulas that are a true centerpiece. Primary bathrooms, many with proper bathtubs, have double vanities finished in walnut with natural marble tops, walls clad in hand‐made Japanese Umi Kyokai tile and Brizo fixtures in satin pewter. Secondary baths feature fluted walnut vanities, hand‐laid ceramic tile and natural marble countertops.
“The design of The Bowen is uniquely personal to us because we envisioned our friends and creative colleagues living in the building,” said Szandra Toth, founder and partner at CL‐OTH. “We pictured them waking up in the morning, cooking a beautiful dinner, hosting friends and doing whatever they are passionate about in a space that reflects who they really are.”
Boutique and Elevated
The Bowen’s more than 6,000 square feet of amenities are designed to elevate wellness, productivity, social connection, and daily life. The experience begins in an illuminated marquee entry and 24‐hour attended lobby, paneled in warm walnut with hand‐laid marble flooring and a custom stone reception desk that sets a refined, inviting tone.
A windowed fitness center with state‐of‐the‐art strength and cardio equipment and an adjoining yoga loft with mirrored walls and Pilates equipment create a dedicated environment for movement and self‐care. The Bowen Lounges function as flexible living rooms for the building, offering an exhibition kitchen, lounge seating, a library, workstations and private phone rooms that make working from home feel both comfortable and focused.
For younger residents, a custom forest‐themed Kid’s Playroom with reading niches, toy cubbies and an activity slide turns playtime into an imaginative escape. And, above it all, a landscaped roof deck is thoughtfully programmed with distinct areas for sunbathing, lounging and al fresco dining, complete with grilling stations and city views, while back‐of‐house conveniences such as a secured bike room, a dedicated package area and private storage available for purchase round out the amenity offering.
The Heart of a New Downtown Brooklyn
Set in Downtown Brooklyn, The Bowen is anchored in a neighborhood known for its vitality and unrivaled connectivity.
Downtown Brooklyn is the borough’s historic center for culture and commerce and has now evolved into a multi-faceted 24/7 community to live, work and thrive. The neighborhood has a diverse mix of employers in tech, finance and government and is simultaneously New York City’s hub for the creative pursuits – home to Urban Glass, Center for Fiction, Flowcabulary, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), BRIC and more. Alongside retail staples like Trader Joe’s, Alamo Drafthouse and Dekalb Market at City Point are storied businesses like Junior’s, Gage & Tollner, Greenlight Bookstore and Finer Sounds.
The Bowen is moments from Atlantic Terminal–Barclays Center and 13 subway lines, making the entire city easily accessible. With the recently announced Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Action Plan, the area is becoming even more connected, as new green corridors and protected bike lanes enhance the pedestrian experience.
“Downtown Brooklyn is the borough’s nucleus of culture, commerce, innovation and connectivity,” Williamson added. “Imagine living there in a building you are proud to call home. That’s The Bowen.
Sales and marketing for The Bowen are handled exclusively by The Williamson Group and The Anderson-Ehrmann-Morales Team at Douglas Elliman and Douglas Elliman Development Marketing. For more information, visit THEBOWENBROOKLYN.COM, email info@thebowenbrooklyn.com or call (917) 922-0364.
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