Quay Tower: Behind Brooklyn’s First Smart Condo Building

Quay Tower is Brooklyn’s first residential building to strategically partner with Amazon to offer total smart home automation for its residents. The new condo tower at Pier 6 emerges within the 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park, overlooking the Hudson and East rivers. With this project, developers RAL Cos. and Oliver’s Realty Group aim to set a new standard for Brooklyn living. They have partnered with Douglas Elliman, which is handling sales and marketing operations for the property. 

Upon its completion next summer, the 28-story Quay Tower will bring 126 two- to five-bedroom units designed by ODA Architecture and Marmol Radziner—with whom RAL previously partnered with. All homes will feature white oak kitchen cabinets, quartzite countertops, marble-clad bathrooms, while lifestyle amenities will include pet wash, private and bicycle storage, a California-style rooftop terrace, music room and a state-of-the-art gym. What’s more, the collaboration with Amazon will lead to the integration of Alexa and Echo into all condos, along with compatible smart home tech.

Quay Tower interior

RAL CEO Robert Levine and Douglas Elliman Executive Manager of Sales Molly Townsend revealed to Multi-Housing News details about the company’s smart living philosophy and the way it is incorporated into this residential project.

What is the vision behind Quay Tower and what separates it from other projects in the area?

(Left to right) Robert Levine, Molly Townsend (Images courtesy of RAL Cos.)

Levine: As part of the last developable residential parcel of land at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Quay Tower presented an opportunity for us to create a truly exceptional condominium in Brooklyn Heights that is inspired by the lifestyle at the park and 360-degree views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines, East River bridges and New York Harbor that only this location affords. Quay Tower is the first for-sale building in Brooklyn to strategically partner with Amazon for the ultimate smart-home experience.

The units will also deliver rare urban luxuries like proper mudrooms, spacious foyers and private elevator access. Our striking facade by ODA Architecture’s Eran Chen is nearing completion and the contemporary structure subtly reflects the neighborhood’s industrial history. For the interiors, we brought on AD100 firm Marmol Radziner to create serene and luxurious homes that offer a soothing escape from the city while capturing the vibrancy of the park. Quay Tower is Marmol Radziner’s first residential development project on the East Coast.

Quay Tower (Image courtesy of Gotham Photo Co.)

What are some of the functions, amenities and apps that make the project smart?

Levine: Through our strategic partnership with Amazon, each of the 126 residences at Quay Tower is being delivered with an Amazon Echo and an Echo Dot that are seamlessly integrated to control compatible smart home technology, including Lutron Caseta light switches and Nest thermostats. Residents can easily switch on a lamp, dim the lights, adjust room temperature and more, all with their voice.

Our Amazon partnership will allow buyers to expand on all of these features and fully tailor their smart home experience to their unit—for example, homeowners can connect to pre-wiring for automated shade control in every room. We’ve also worked on offering a special concierge to help set everything up before buyers even step foot in their new home.

How does Amazon’s Alexa tailor the needs of a modern Brooklyn resident?

Levine: Smart home automation makes life easier and that is exactly why we’ve collaborated with Amazon. For us, the decision to integrate comprehensive smart home automation was all about creating a lifestyle of effortless luxury where our residents can escape from the hustle and bustle of city life to relax and enjoy the views.

How has the Brooklyn real estate market evolved in the last years and how do you see it span over the following years?

Townsend: Brooklyn is no longer a secondary option for New York City buyers—it’s now a lifestyle destination. In the past few years, we’ve seen a lot of exciting new co-ops and rental inventory around here, but the market is still lacking much sought-after luxury condominiums.

We’ve watched the success of One Brooklyn Bridge and Pierhouse, as well as the overall popularity of Brooklyn Bridge Park and the ferry and it’s clear that New Yorkers and Brooklynites are seeking a waterfront lifestyle.

Quay Tower (Image courtesy of Gotham Photo Co.)