Established in 2000, cityFoundry quickly became a pillar of Brooklyn design and a recognized source for architects, stylists and designers looking for an impeccably curated selection of 20th century furniture, lighting, art and artifacts presented in an unconventional manner. Owner Sohrab Bakhshi was a student of esthetic from an early age in his native Iran, followed by his immersion to Bauhaus i
nfluence in Israel. Upon moving to the States in 1980, he firmly honed his keen eye picking in New York City. After amassing his own collection, he felt the creative pull to exhibit in his own space. Atlantic Avenue, long known as “antique row” seemed the perfect fit for his unconventional collection, penchant for experimental display and provocative windows. cityFoundry’s entree in the center of the block was a leading catalyst in the resurgence of Atlantic Avenue as a design and shopping mecca. Sohrab’s knack for starting trends by highlighting certain pieces, designers and even the artful mixture of mid century modern blended with repurposed, industrial-age finds and artifacts of a scientific nature garnered the store a devoted following. “When I first opened on the block, people said it wouldn’t last” recalls Sohrab. Rather than floundering, cityFoundry doubled in size within it’s first two years and then added a third gallery next door soon after that, which would become the nucleus of the Downtown Brooklyn Design Community. His partner, Claudia Cuseta, who studied fashion at Art & Design in New York City and went on to start seminal house music label Maxi Records, came on board in 2006 ushering cityFoundry into the digital age. “Designing cityFoundry’s initial electronic image, I felt it was important to present our pieces in the natural environment of the store; a setting that people are consistently amazed by. Bringing the cityFoundry experience online was essential then and it continues to evolve as we do. Now in it’s 20th year, cityFoundry has brought it’s one-of-a kind, vintage, design experience to Brooklyn’s newest shopping destination, Industry City. The new 4,000 square ft, cityFoundry gallery at 33 35th St, Brooklyn, NY opened it's doors in November 2019. Already a design destination housing Restoration Hardware, Design Within Reach, ABC Carpet and Porcelanosa plus various furniture and lighting houses, cityFoundry is the only custom, antique, vintage, purveyors to set up shop in the heart of the retail center in Industry City. The cityFoundry gallery at 369 Atlantic Ave will remain open as well continuing it’s legacy in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. CF Signature is cityFoundry's custom design collection of industrial and mid century modern influenced tables, lighting, seating and mirrors.
