Brownsville’s First Creative Coworking Space Opens Its Doors This Weekend
The Corner by YDC Open House Set for Saturday, July 26 from 2–5 PM at 112 New Lots Avenue
YDC Staff and interns
In a neighborhood too often overlooked when it comes to creative infrastructure, Youth Design Center (YDC) is planting new roots with the official launch of The Corner by YDC, Brownsville’s first creative coworking production and maker space. The public is invited to experience the transformation firsthand at an interactive Open House this Saturday, July 26, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at 112 New Lots Avenue during Oldtimers Day Weekend.
The Corner offers affordable memberships that provide access to a Media Lab, Fabrication Lab, meeting pods, and tools for content creation, product development, and entrepreneurship. The space is designed for creatives, technologists, freelancers, and makers who are ready to build—and stay—right in their community.
“This is the space I wish existed when I was growing up in Brownsville,” said Quardean Lewis-Allen, a Brownsville native and Founder and Executive Director of Youth Design Center. “We’ve transformed this empty storefront into a place where creativity, collaboration, and economic opportunity can thrive—without needing to leave the neighborhood. The Corner is proof that young people and working creatives deserve world-class spaces, too.”
Parsons Instructor, Six Lauture, leads product design and marketing interns towards building personal/business brands
Lewis-Allen, a Harvard educated architect by training, launched Youth Design Center in 2013 to create career pathways in design and technology for young people in underinvested communities. With The Corner, YDC is expanding its reach to serve over 300+ youth annually as well as adult creatives, entrepreneurs, and freelancers seeking access to high-quality tools and shared space.
“This project wouldn’t have been possible without the belief and investment of partners like Brooklyn Org, Comic Relief US, and Comcast NBCUniversal whose support helped us reimagine this space and programs, and Councilman Chris Banks, who provided the equipment funding that brought our vision to life,” said Lewis-Allen. “We’re grateful to all the supporters who saw the potential in this work. Together, we’re building more than just a space—we’re building a powerful vision for an equitable future.”
Learn more about The Corner by YDC here.
Operations Coordinator, Stephon Cronneitt, and SYEP interns configure settings on laser cutter and engraver machines at The Corner by YDC
Open House Highlights:
Youth-led tours of the new co-working and creative facilities
Interactive demos of media and fabrication equipment
Meet-and-greet with the YDC team and interns
Music, refreshments, and networking with fellow creatives
WHEN: Saturday, July 26 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
WHERE: 112 New Lots Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212
ADMISSION: Free and open to the public. Walk-ins welcome. RSVP here.
For press inquiries or to schedule interviews, contact Quardean Lewis-Allen at info@youthdesigncenter.org.
