UOVO, a collector-founded art storage company, is seeking approval to build a second large-scale facility in Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood. The proposed seven-story, 240,000-square-foot building at 74 Bogart Street would expand the company's footprint near its existing 150,000-square-foot Bushwick facility opened in 2020. Founded in 2013 by real estate developer Steven Guttman, UOVO operates 30 locations across the U.S. and stores collections for museums, galleries, and high-net-worth individuals, including artworks, wine collections, and fashion archives. Architecture firm S9 will oversee the design if the plan is approved by the city.
The expansion matters because it highlights tensions between commercial development and community needs in a rapidly gentrifying area. The lot sits in District 34, which has experienced extensive residential displacement, and a circulating open letter to a Brooklyn zoning board raises concerns about using the space for commercial rather than residential purposes. UOVO has also faced scrutiny over its labor record, including allegations of retaliating against employees attempting to unionize during the pandemic, which the company has denied. The company points to its public benefits, such as a $25,000 annual artist prize with the Brooklyn Museum and plans to help renovate Maria Hernandez Park.