Constructed by the military in 1918, the Brooklyn Army Terminal just missed being an active part of World War I. However, they were built with an eye toward the scale that would be necessary for the United States to prosecute a war overseas. In fact, Warehouse B (one of the two eight-story warehouses) was the largest building in the world at the time by floor area alone.

Not only was the Brooklyn Army Terminal large, but it was also built incredibly quickly. The government began work on the Brooklyn Army Terminal in May 1918. The massive four-million-square-foot complex was completed in September 1919, just 16 months later

Cass Gilbert, known for his Beaux-Arts and Gothic style designs like the Woolworth Building, was Brooklyn Army Terminal’s principal architect, designing what was, at the time, the largest concrete structure in the world. The modern and utilitarian design of the Army Terminal was explicitly different from many of Cass Gilbert's designs, however, it has since been cherished by Modern architects for its aesthetic and functional structure.

The skylight lit atrium of Warehouse B contained two train tracks to allow supplies to be rapidly transported in and out of the warehouse, connecting to a wider series of train tracks outside the terminal and a Bay Ridge railyard. Not only was the Brooklyn Army Terminal connected to the rail system, but it was built for massive amounts of shipping. The train storage yards allowed the Brooklyn Army Terminal to hold up to 2,200 cars.

The staggered balconies of the Brooklyn Army Terminal weren't just stylistic choices. They allowed cargo to be quickly loaded and unloaded by moveable cranes.

During World War 2, the Brooklyn Army Terminal proved its capacity to ship. The BAT was the headquarters for the New York Port Of Embarkation and over 20,000 people were employed there during the course of the war. This effort moved 3.2 million men and over 37 million tons of material overseas.

The military continued to occupy parts of the Brooklyn Army Terminal until the early 1970s, but it was until 1981 that New York City bought it from the government for industrial use. A phased renovation plan began in 1984 and it has been owned and managed by the New York City Economic Development Corporation ever since.

The Brooklyn Army Terminal remains in use today with three million square feet renovated for a diverse mix of companies.