71 Montrose Ave

HISTORY

BAD BOY HISTORY

Nestled in Williamsburg, 71 Montrose Ave isn’t just another industrial building—it carries a rich and infamous past, deeply intertwined with Brooklyn’s Jewish history and the “bad boy” legacy of Montrose Smoked Fish. This building has seen it all—lawsuits, price-fixing scandals, front-page fires, and even a rat army that made headlines.

A Legacy of Controversy & Headlines

1935 – The Department of Agriculture filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming that the olive oil being sold was actually mostly cottonseed oil—an early brush with food fraud.

1944 – Montrose Smoked Fish, along with several other firms, was indicted for price-fixing, manipulating the smoked fish market during wartime.

1950 – A massive fire engulfed the building, landing on the front page of newspapers. The cause? Authorities blamed it on burglars, adding to the mystery and chaos surrounding the location.

1981 – The Daily News ran the now-infamous article, "Rat Army Has Them on the Run," chronicling an urban battle against an overwhelming infestation—another wild chapter in the building’s checkered past.

From the 1930s through the 1980s, 71 Montrose Ave was at the center of drama, scandal, and resilience, earning a place in Brooklyn’s industrial folklore. Today, this historic space has transformed into a versatile film location, but its walls still hold the echoes of its tumultuous past—a perfect backdrop for projects seeking an authentic, gritty, and storied atmosphere.

Want to shoot in a space with real history? This is the real deal.

  • Unable to remember even his own handwriting...(while under oath in court)... and pay the fine of $100..." Fledgling Korchin and later Montrose Smoked Fish had to defend against bogus Trade Organization racketeering.

  • In 1935 the department of agriculture made claim and initiated a lawsuit that the so-called olive oil was in fact cottonseed oil.

  • There has been on and off claims of smoked fish being dyed because in the process of smoking fish you lose 15% of the weight. This speaks towards our time- food shrinkage.

  • Circa 1930's

  • Montrose Smoked Fish current

  • In 1944, they were indicted with many other smoked fish firms for price-fixing.

  • 1945 Montrose Smoked Fish officers, convicted a second time going to Jail

  • In September 1950, a major fire occurred, again making the front page of the newspapers. The article is alleging that it was somehow started by "Burglars". Not that it happened in this instance, but it was an old school Brooklyn practice whereby you gave the Fire Chief and various City inspectors giant platters of smoke fish towards building a convenient ongoing relationship. Of course they would sign off that the fire was started by "Burglars". Everybody is happy and the insurance papers filed are pretty straightforward. The suggestion is not to attend criminality or create a fishy story but more to give the flavor how matters were done in Brooklyn.

  • 1955 Southern District of NY legal Doc. "Final Judgement" This is separate from the prior charges & Newspaper articles

  • Daily News 1981, at the time the predominant neighborhood was Hispanic and many of them were complaining of being overrun by rats coming from the Montrose Smoked Fish...

  • Montrose Smoked Fish Current with permanent plantings on the facade

  • 1962 Help Wanted Section red circled Montrose ad for a bookkeeper. See following enlargement see story

  • What is hard to depict is how the women's job section is 1/4 of the available men's jobs. Note the IBM ad "For qualified men..."

  • Found hiding in the former factory is a Stainless Steel mesh Glove

Montrose Fish Factory

circa 1980

Today, 71 Montrose Ave has transformed into a dynamic production studio, honoring the building’s rich and rebellious legacy.

Once home to Montrose Smoked Fish and a hub of controversy, it now serves as a creative space where history meets storytelling. With its authentic industrial aesthetic, vintage props, and curated film sets, we embrace the spirit of its past while providing a one-of-a-kind backdrop for filmmakers, photographers, and visionaries.

This isn’t just a studio—it’s a piece of Brooklyn history, ready for its next chapter.

  • Loading Dock

    Double-truck entrance with a loading dock garage and stainless steel freight elevator with LED lighting on a retractable pulley system for customizable setups, and a curb cut opening directly onto a city park view.

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  • Vintage Library

    The 300 sq. ft. soundproof room, suitable for interviews and audio recordings, has 10 ft. tin ceilings, south-facing windows with natural light and park views, and second-layer windows for improved acoustics.

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  • Rooftop Gardens

    Over 2,500 sq. ft., including a main garden of and upper levels, we have stunning vistas overlooking the city, all are accessible via freight elevator.

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  • Stairwell & Elevator

    The distressed stairwell, 1940s stainless steel freight elevator, and industrial fire escape provide three unique filming locations within the space.

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