Two developers in Brooklyn have undertaken a costly and complex project to preserve a century-old silver maple tree while constructing a set of high-end townhouses. The project, completed last month at 33-39 Dikeman Street in Red Hook, involved innovative design and engineering solutions to protect the tree, which had become a central feature of the property.
Ben Krone, an architect and co-founder of the development firm Hier, and his business partner, Phillip Sulke, spent approximately $400,000 adapting their construction plans to save the tree. Standing six stories tall with a trunk five feet in diameter, the silver maple’s root system extended nearly 20 feet across the front yard, directly in the footprint of one of the planned homes. Rather than removing the tree, the pair redesigned the townhouses to cantilever over its roots, while rerouting sewer and water lines deep underground to avoid disturbing the root system.
The decision to preserve the tree was driven chiefly by Sulke, an Austrian artist turned developer known for his sensitivity toward historic and natural elements. Though initially hesitant because of the added complexity and expense, Krone, who has lived in Red Hook for 15 years and teaches architectural design at the University of Pennsylvania, ultimately shared his partner’s commitment to responsible development and neighborhood character.
An arborist estimated the age of the silver maple at around 100 years, though such trees rarely live beyond 120 years. Silver maples are native to the New York region but have become less common in urban plantings, often replaced by species like honey locusts, oaks, and ginkgos. While silver maples grow quickly and tolerate city conditions well, they are more fragile compared to many other trees and susceptible to storm damage.
Alongside the engineering challenges, the developers took additional measures to protect local wildlife during construction. For example, when a nest of mourning doves was discovered inside one of the houses, workers built a plywood enclosure to shield the birds from welding sparks, prompting a temporary slowdown in building activities.
The finished townhouses each span approximately 2,800 square feet and feature heavy timber beams, harbor views, and landscaped terraces. Hier plans to market the homes at around $4 million apiece. Despite the substantial investment required to preserve the tree and work around it, Krone emphasized the intangible value of maintaining such a prominent natural element. “The tree becomes like a piece of sculpture on its own,” he said, underscoring the importance of balancing development with environmental stewardship in urban neighborhoods.
Neighbors have also appreciated the tree’s presence, citing its role as habitat and perching grounds for local bird species, including cardinals and red-tailed hawks. The project illustrates a rare example of integrating a significant natural landmark within the constraints of urban real estate development in Brooklyn.