Brooklyn Project Will Use Corbelled Brick to Save Costs

Developers of a 21-unit residential building will use traditional masonry techniques to bypass steel lintel requirements.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Construction

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of stacked clay-colored brick layers forming a stepped corbelled ledge, demonstrating structural masonry technique. — Developers at 110 Boerum Place in Brooklyn are using traditional masonry corbelling to reduce structural costs and eliminate the need for secondary steel lintels. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should new residential buildings in your area prioritize historical aesthetic details over modern cost-saving designs?

The residential development at 110 Boerum Place in Boerum Hill will feature a six-story and four-story design upon its projected completion in spring 2027. By utilizing specific brickwork configurations, the project aims to minimize construction expenditures.

Why it matters

Using a basic kit of parts and labor-intensive masonry techniques can lower total building costs by removing the need for costly secondary materials like steel lintels. For developers, this design strategy provides a way to differentiate architecture while controlling the overall budget.

The project will deliver 21 residential units within a structure spanning up to 6 stories. The design incorporates brick corbelling above window heads to eliminate the need for steel lintels.

The players

Brent Buck Architects

An architectural firm specializing in residential building design and material-focused construction strategies.

Avdoo and Partners Development

A residential property developer focused on urban projects in the New York City market.

The details

Brent Buck Architects designed the structure to span the full block between Dean Street and Pacific Street. By implementing brick corbelling above windows and placing bands of bricks on their side to create four-inch horizontal shadow lines, the design provides structural support and visual texture without additional steel components. These rounded corners and masonry details are intended to soften the building's aesthetic profile compared to standard rectangular developments.

The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2027.

Market Landscape

The reliance on traditional load-bearing masonry techniques mirrors a broader industry trend toward finding cost-effective architectural alternatives to structural steel. This approach follows the historical precedent of utilizing fundamental masonry mechanics to manage material budgets in mid-rise residential builds.

Developers should consider whether simple structural adjustments, such as brick corbelling, can replace secondary steel components to improve margins. Managers should track the long-term maintenance costs of these custom facade details against the initial savings from reduced steel procurement.

The takeaway

Operational efficiency in high-density markets is increasingly tied to the creative use of fundamental building materials. Developers should analyze their structural blueprints for opportunities to substitute decorative material work for expensive metal supports.