Brooklyn Developers Save Giant Maple, Spend Fortune

In Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood, developers Ben Krone and Phillip Sulke encountered an aged silver maple, approximately 100 years old, on a plot destined for four high-end townhouses. The imposing tree, with a trunk five feet in diameter, presented a significant obstacle to their construction plans. Instead of removing it, the partners, driven by a commitment to responsible development and a sentimentality for old things, opted to save the tree.

This decision led to substantial additional costs and complex construction methods. The team tunneled utility lines far underground and employed cantilevered structural designs to avoid the tree's expansive root system. This approach cost an estimated $400,000. During construction, they also paused work to protect a nest of mourning doves found on-site.

The four townhouses, each 2,800 square feet, are now complete at 33-39 Dikeman Street. They feature exposed timber beams and harbor views, with plans to sell for approximately $4 million each. This project, completed as of August 2026, highlights a unique development philosophy where the preservation of a natural element like the historic silver maple was prioritized, adding significant value and character.