Brooklyn Fire Proof represents a multi-site complex of six interconnected and thriving creative businesses in the industrial Bushwick/East Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York. This project commenced in 1999 and originated as studios and a DIY gallery space built into a vacant factory building in Williamsburg - the iconic Brooklyn Fireproof Sash & Door building.

Creative spaces that service a community of diverse makers, artists and creatives, both in Brooklyn and beyond.

When Brooklyn Fire Proof moved to its current location in East Williamsburg/Bushwick, the facility expanded to include more studios, sound stages for film and television productions. Brooklyn Fire Proof’s list of production titles that shot in their facilities includes “Top Chef,” “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Orange is the New Black,” “Forged in Fire,” “Lady Bird,” commercials for major brands such as The Gap and Sony as well as numerous music videos for pop stars including Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, and Kanye West. BFP’s philanthropic arm assisted art projects for Isabella Rossellini and Marcel Dzama and partnered with nonprofits such as Millennium Film Workshops, Nurture Art, Job Path, and The Doe Fund on a variety of projects.

In time, more spaces were added such as a gallery space called Temporary Storage available to tenants and independent curators, and Brooklyn Fire Proof East, a café and bar (now Dashi Brooklyn, a Japanese comfort food restaurant). Today, Brooklyn Fire Proof manages or owns over 200,000 square feet of creative spaces that services a community of diverse makers, artists and creatives, both in Brooklyn and now in the Hudson Valley.

The Founders

Thomas B. Dodd and Pearl Son-Dodd opened their first company, Brooklyn Fire Proof Inc., more than 20-years ago, with a vision to bring resources to creatives and entrepreneurs and to showcase under-served artists in a kind, open environment. Fast-forward to the present day when their original art gallery in Williamsburg now includes music studios, 100+ artists’ studios, two galleries, a cafe/bar, office space and a variety of creative work spaces in a sprawling complex in Bushwick as well as an expansion to the Hudson Valley. The Dodds were instrumental early investors in Williamsburg/Bushwick but price escalation and a lack of property ownership opportunity has led the couple to Newburgh, where they see a significant national arts community growing, just across the Hudson from Beacon, NY and 15 minutes from The Metro North Train to NYC. With its own International airport and one of the largest nationally recognized historic districts, the Dodd’s feel strongly that Newburgh’s beauty and potential is unmatched. Determined to help protect this beauty, Thomas has accepted the challenge of being the acting President of the Newburgh Preservation Association.

P.S.6 Center For Film & Television

Besides acting as property managers, owners, and investors, the Dodd’s are also helping to coalesce artistic interest in Newburgh through their development of a newly planned arts center, the P.S. 6 Center for Film and Television, which will be housed in a renovated historic school house building. The Center will provide needed production and sound stage facilities for the Hudson Valley while attracting more production work into the area. The Frank Estabrook designed building will host a monthly meeting called Navigating Newburgh, which was conceived to help people become homeowners, engage in entrepreneurial activities, and learn and find support for historical preservation. Significantly, the P.S. 6 Center will also offer job training workshops and in-house mentorship opportunities as well as community programming and fellowships in collaboration with local non-profits and BFP Creative Inc. Regular art openings and educational programming will be a priority for the facility upon opening.

Navigating Newburgh

In order to coalesce artistic interest in Newburgh, the Dodds have initiated a monthly meeting called Navigating Newburgh, which are a series of meetings open to the public about how people can become homeowners and engage in entrepreneurial activities. The Dodd’s share their real estate development expertise with interested individuals to help them navigate the often-complicated processes of property rehabilitation and historical preservation. The intent of this forum goes beyond just property ownership. Consistent topics include environmental stewardship, workforce development, navigating municipalities, and entrepreneurial strategies.

BFP Creative Inc.

To fully leverage local community artistic talent, the Dodd’s founded BFP Creative Inc. in 2019 as a 501(c)(3).  The mission of BFP Creative Inc. is to assist in the building and preservation of “creative spaces in urban environments that advance artistic entrepreneurship, artistic connection, artistic creation and empower individuals to self-start.”