How many reclaimed bricks were used on the Aldi in Central Islip?

The Aldi supermarket in Central Islip is clad in 55,440 reclaimed New York bricks across its exterior. This large quantity allows the facade to read as a continuous, authentic brick envelope rather than a small accent area.

Where did the reclaimed bricks come from?

The bricks were salvaged from deconstructed buildings across the Hudson Valley, a region with a long history of brick production. Chief Bricks reclaimed, cleaned, and prepared them so they could be reused as cladding on the new Aldi store.

Why did the project team choose reclaimed bricks instead of new ones?

Reclaimed bricks reduce waste, lower the need for manufacturing new units, and preserve historic materials that still have decades of life left. They also provide a richer mix of colors and textures, giving the building more character and a stronger connection to local history.

Who were the key collaborators on the Aldi Central Islip project?

The project was a collaboration between APD Engineering & Architecture, Aldi, Barrasso & Sons, Pinnacle Contracting, Chief Bricks, and local public agencies. Each partner contributed to delivering a modern, efficient supermarket that also champions reclaimed materials and community‑oriented design.

How do reclaimed Hudson Valley bricks change the look of a supermarket?

The reclaimed bricks introduce subtle variations in red, dark, and orange tones, along with worn surfaces that soften the building’s appearance. This creates a warm, grounded facade that feels more like a long‑standing neighborhood building than a typical new big‑box structure.

Chief Bricks Shapes the Aldi in Central Islip with Reclaimed Bricks

Aldi Central Islip: reclaimed brick supermarket with Hudson Valley history

At the corner of Carleton Avenue and S Research Place in Central Islip, Long Island, a new 20,000 square foot Aldi supermarket showcases how sustainable materials can define a modern retail building. The exterior is entirely clad in 55,440 reclaimed New York bricks, turning a neighborhood grocery store into a visible celebration of local brickmaking heritage and thoughtful design.

This project brings together national brands, local suppliers, and community focused developers to create a store that does more than provide groceries. It stands as a long term piece of architecture rooted in Hudson Valley materials and Central Islip’s ongoing transformation.

Chief Bricks: sourcing 55,440 reclaimed Hudson Valley bricks

Chief Bricks played a central role by sourcing and reclaiming all 55,440 bricks used to clad the new Aldi building. The team carefully salvaged historic bricks from deconstructed structures across the Hudson Valley, preserving their character, strength, and distinctive color range.

This reclamation process keeps durable material out of landfills while honoring centuries of regional brick production. Each brick carries subtle variations in red, dark, and orange tones, giving the facade a warm, rustic texture that feels authentic instead of generic.

Architecture and collaboration: APD, Barrasso & Sons, Pinnacle

APD Engineering & Architecture, Aldi’s national prototype architect, designed the Central Islip store to balance efficiency, brand standards, and local context. Choosing reclaimed brick cladding supports Aldi’s emphasis on modern, straightforward buildings while adding depth, durability, and a strong sustainability story.

Barrasso & Sons supplied the reclaimed bricks to the project team and helped coordinate material flow to the site. As Jennifer Earl from Barrasso & Sons notes, "the work is about more than selling bricks—it is about contributing to a long lasting structure where people will work and shop every day". Pinnacle Contracting and developer partners helped turn these materials and drawings into a completed building that now serves the Central Islip community.

The history and character of Hudson Valley bricks

Hudson Valley brickmaking dates back to the 17th century, with the region once supplying masonry for countless New York buildings. These bricks became known for their strength and rich, varied colors, and many of those original units are still structurally sound today.

By reclaiming and reusing this material on the Aldi facade, the project links a new commercial building to a long regional tradition of brick construction. The mix of red, dark, and orange tones softens the supermarket’s massing and gives it a welcoming, familiar presence for shoppers.

A supermarket that reflects and supports its community

The reclaimed Hudson Valley bricks help the Aldi building blend into its surroundings rather than reading as a generic big box. Their rustic appearance and historic feel create a sense of place, allowing the store to feel like part of Central Islip’s fabric from day one instead of an anonymous addition.

Community members arriving to shop can see and touch real, locally significant material that represents both heritage and forward looking sustainability. The project highlights how everyday commercial buildings can quietly showcase better material choices without compromising function or affordability.

Shared commitment to sustainability and reuse

The Central Islip Aldi is a clear example of how reclaimed materials can support modern construction, corporate prototypes, and municipal redevelopment goals at the same time. Reusing tens of thousands of bricks significantly reduces waste and lowers the embodied carbon associated with manufacturing new masonry units.

For Chief Bricks and its partners, this project demonstrates that sustainable material decisions can scale beyond custom homes into mainstream retail and community infrastructure. It also underscores a shared belief that buildings can tell stories—about local industry, careful stewardship of resources, and long term investment in place.

About the author

Alkis Valentin is the founder of Chief Bricks and a specialist in reclaimed brick, cobblestone, and natural stone for high-end residential and landscape projects nationwide.