You’ve seen the building. Honestly, if you’ve spent any time in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, it’s basically impossible to miss. That massive brick structure standing at 61 Greenpoint Avenue—the one with "Eberhard Faber" still etched into the facade—is more than just a cool backdrop for Instagram photos or a hub for creative offices. It’s a literal monument to a time when Brooklyn was the industrial heart of the world. The Pencil Factory New York isn't just a relic. It’s a story about how one family changed how we write, and how their architectural footprint defines the neighborhood today.
Most people walk past and think, "Oh, neat, a loft." But back in the day, this place smelled like cedar wood and graphite. It was loud. It was dusty.
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It was the birthplace of the pencil as we know it.
The Eberhard Faber Legacy in Brooklyn
Let’s get one thing straight: Eberhard Faber wasn't just some guy. He was a visionary who realized that the American market was starving for high-quality writing instruments. Before he set up shop in New York, pencils were mostly imported from Europe. Faber, coming from a German pencil dynasty, saw an opening. He moved his operations to Greenpoint in 1872 after a devastating fire destroyed his original Manhattan factory.
Greenpoint was the Wild West of industry back then. Shipbuilding, oil refining, and chemical plants lined the East River. Faber fit right in. He didn't just build a factory; he built a mini-empire. By the early 20th century, the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company occupied several blocks. The specific building we call the Pencil Factory New York today—the one on the corner of Greenpoint Avenue and Franklin Street—was actually a later addition, built around 1923-1924.
It was designed by Frederick H. Klie, an architect who clearly knew how to make industrial functionalism look good. He used "German Renaissance" influences, which you can still see in those iconic yellow and red brick patterns and the terracotta pencils embedded in the walls. Yeah, look closely at the cornices next time you're there. There are literally terracotta pencils poking out. It’s the ultimate "on-brand" move before branding was even a buzzword.
Why Greenpoint?
It wasn't for the vibe. Faber chose this spot because the East River provided easy transport for raw materials. Cedar logs from the South and graphite from across the globe would arrive by boat. The factory was a marvel of vertical integration. One floor would handle the wood slats, another would process the "lead" (which is actually graphite and clay, a common misconception people still have), and another would handle the finishing touches like painting and adding that little brass ferrule for the eraser.
Faber actually patented the first pencil with an attached eraser in 1858. Think about that. Every time you flip your pencil over to fix a mistake, you're using tech that was popularized right here in Brooklyn.
What Really Happened to the Factory?
By the mid-20th century, things started to shift. Industry was leaving New York City. Space was getting expensive, and modern manufacturing needed sprawling one-story plants, not six-story brick towers. In 1956, the Eberhard Faber company packed up and moved its operations to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
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For a long time, the building just... sat there. It went through the typical New York cycle of neglect, small-scale industrial use, and storage. But the bones were too good to ignore. The high ceilings, the massive windows designed to let in natural light for factory workers, and the thick floors were perfect for the creative class that started trickling into Greenpoint in the 90s and 2000s.
The transformation wasn't overnight. It took developers like Tony Wolf and his partners to realize that the "Pencil Factory" brand had more value than any new name they could come up with. They leaned into the history. They kept the name. Today, the Pencil Factory New York is a mix of commercial spaces, recording studios, and creative agencies.
Misconceptions About the Space
People often confuse the commercial "Pencil Factory" building with the "Pencil Factory" condos. They are actually separate but related. The main industrial building at 61 Greenpoint Ave is where the work happens. The residential stuff is nearby. If you're looking for the history, stick to the brick.
Some folks also think the company went bust. Not really. After several acquisitions, the Eberhard Faber brand was eventually absorbed by Newell Rubbermaid (which owns Sanford and Paper Mate). The pencils you buy today might not say "Brooklyn" on them, but the DNA of the Blackwing 602—arguably the most famous pencil in the world—traces its prestige back to the standards set in this factory.
The Architecture: More Than Just Brick
If you’re a fan of the "Round Arch" style or Rundbogenstil, this building is your Mecca. The way the windows are arched isn't just for looks; it provided structural integrity that allowed for larger glass panes. This was crucial before fluorescent lighting became standard.
The building features:
- Terracotta details: Look for the "E" and "F" monograms.
- Parapet walls: These helped prevent fire from jumping between buildings—a huge concern in the 19th century.
- Segmental arches: These allow for the massive weight of the machinery that used to vibrate these floors 24/7.
It’s a "Daylight Factory" model. The goal was to maximize every ounce of sun. When you stand inside one of the offices today, the light is still incredible. It’s easy to see why photographers and designers pay a premium to be here.
Why We Still Care About a Pencil Factory in 2026
You’d think in the age of iPads and AI, a pencil factory wouldn't matter. But the Pencil Factory New York represents a physical connection to the act of creation. In a world where everything is digital and ephemeral, there's something grounding about a building that was literally built to make the tools of thought.
There's also the preservation aspect. Greenpoint is changing fast. Luxury glass towers are popping up along the waterfront like weeds. The Pencil Factory acts as an anchor. It’s part of the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company Historic District, designated by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2007. This means developers can't just tear it down to build a 40-story condo. It preserves the "scale" of the neighborhood.
Honestly, the building is a survivor. It survived the decline of New York industry, the gentrification of the 2000s, and the shifting needs of the modern workforce.
Actionable Ways to Experience the History
If you want to actually "feel" the history of the Pencil Factory New York, don't just read about it.
- Do a Perimeter Walk: Start at the corner of Greenpoint Ave and West Street. Look up at the terracotta pencils. Walk down toward the water and see how the different buildings in the "Faber District" connect.
- Visit the Local Shops: Many businesses in the factory are open to the public or hold open studio nights. Places like Pencil Factory (the bar nearby) or local coffee shops often have archival photos of the workers.
- Check the Landmarks Map: Use the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission’s digital map to see exactly which buildings are protected. It’s a great way to spot the difference between original brick and modern "faux-dustrial" additions.
- Buy a Blackwing: While not made in Brooklyn anymore, buying a high-quality pencil and sketching the building while sitting in Transmitter Park is a meta-experience that’s worth the twenty minutes.
The Pencil Factory isn't just a building; it's the DNA of Greenpoint. It’s a reminder that before this was a place to get a $7 oat milk latte, it was a place where people worked with their hands to create something the whole world needed. That legacy of making things? It hasn't left. It’s just evolved.
The next time you’re walking toward the G train, take a second. Look at those bricks. Those walls have seen the transition from steam power to fiber optics. And they’re still standing.