Downtown Brooklyn

After being in the works for nearly two decades, plans to build a public park in Downtown Brooklyn with a memorial to the neighborhood's abolitionist history are delayed once again. The Public Design Commission last week tabled a conceptual proposal from artist Kameelah Janan Rasheed after preservationists and community members during an intense public hearing criticized both the design for missing details and the city's lack of transparency.
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Events & Things To Do

86 middle-income apartments up for grabs at new Downtown Brooklyn rental, from $2,241/month

Photo by LWYang on Flickr

November 16, 2020

86 middle-income apartments up for grabs at new Downtown Brooklyn rental, from $2,241/month

A new housing lottery has launched for 86 middle-income apartments at a brand new residential building in Downtown Brooklyn. Designed by J Frankl Associates and Charles Mallea, 260 Gold Street rises 13 stories on a former parking at the corner of Tillary and Gold. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which include $2,241/month studios, $2,362/month one-bedrooms, $2,848/month two-bedrooms, and $3,282/month three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

October 16, 2020

See inside the carefully-curated residences at Brooklyn’s tallest tower

From its sky-high outdoor infinity pool to the chic interior finishes designed by Katherine Newman, no details were overlooked at Brooklyn Point, the 720-foot residential tower in Downtown Brooklyn. After topping out last spring, officially becoming the borough's tallest tower, and commencing closings and first move-ins this summer, new photos of the building's model unit were released in September, which show off the eclectic interiors by designer Charlie Ferrer.
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All renderings by Williams New York

July 28, 2020

Brooklyn’s tallest tower commences closings and move-ins

Not only is Brooklyn Point the tallest building in the borough, but it has the highest infinity pool in the western hemisphere. Superlatives aside, the 720-foot condo tower has also proved popular for its location across from Willoughby Square Park and its inclusion in the larger City Point development in Downtown Brooklyn. And in true Extell Development fashion, the amenity package is stacked, including a huge landscaped terrace complete with BBQs and a putting green, a triple-height lounge, and another indoor pool. Just in time for residents to enjoy all these perks, Brooklyn Point has announced that it's commenced closings and begun the first move-ins.
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Photo credit: Russ Ross, courtesy The Corcoran Group

June 18, 2020

In Brooklyn’s first skyscraper, this $1.4M condo has a magazine-ready kitchen and a private terrace

Downtown Brooklyn's Belltel Lofts are housed in a landmarked Art Deco tower at 365 Bridge Street that just happens to be the borough's very first skyscraper. Built in 1929 as the headquarters for the New York Telephone Company, the 27-story building was designed by "architect of the century" Ralph Walker. In 2008, it was converted to condos by Beyer Blinder Belle and now has 217 apartments. This sunny unit, listed for $1,395,000, has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a private terrace that overlooks Downtown Brooklyn and sits against the building's gorgeous brickwork.
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Distinctive Homes

20 mixed-income apartments available at new Downtown Brooklyn tower, from $690/month

Photo of 1 Flatbush Avenue courtesy of Alexander Severin

June 4, 2020

20 mixed-income apartments available at new Downtown Brooklyn tower, from $690/month

Applications are now being accepted for 20 mixed-income apartments at a new Brooklyn high rise. The 19-story tower located at 1 Flatbush Avenue sits between Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene, conveniently located near a dozen subway lines, major shopping thoroughfares, and entertainment venues like the Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. New Yorkers earning 40 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, ranging from a $690/month studio to a $3,063/month two-bedroom.
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Affordable Housing

Fascinating photos show the 20th-century construction of NYC’s subway system

Lexington Avenue, between 105th and 106th Streets, Manhattan, 1913. Photograph by Pierre P. Pullis, Lundin Collection, Courtesy of the New York Transit Museum

February 13, 2020

Fascinating photos show the 20th-century construction of NYC’s subway system

A new photo exhibit at the New York Transit Museum provides a unique look at the construction of the city's subway system, as well as its enduring impact. Opening Thursday, Streetscapes & Subways: Photographs by Pierre P. and Granville W. Pullis shows what it was like before and after the subway system was constructed, as well as the architectural and cultural changes occurring simultaneously above ground.
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December 19, 2019

See BIG and WXY’s vision for a pedestrian-friendly Downtown Brooklyn

A plan to improve the streets and public space of Downtown Brooklyn was unveiled on Thursday, as officials look to accommodate the area's booming population. Created in collaboration with the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Bjarke Ingels Group, and WXY architecture + urban design, the "Public Realm Action Plan" calls for fewer cars, more bike lanes, a bus-only lane, and more parks and plazas. As first reported by CityLab, the proposal takes ideas from already-implemented street redesigns, like the new 14th Street busway.
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Transit

New renderings show 72,600-square-foot public park coming to Brooklyn’s Pacific Park development

Renderings of park courtesy of MNLA

November 19, 2019

New renderings show 72,600-square-foot public park coming to Brooklyn’s Pacific Park development

Developer TF Cornerstone this week released new renderings for two sites within Brooklyn's long-delayed Pacific Park development that have yet to break ground: 615 and 595 Dean Street. Their plans will bring 72,600 square feet of public open space with community amenities, 800 units of mixed-income housing, and retail to Pacific Park. In addition, Chelsea Piers is set to open a Field House that will offer a wide range of family and youth-focused programming when the site opens in 2023.
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New Developments

New renderings revealed for FXCollaborative-designed Brooklyn Music School expansion

Renderings courtesy of FXCollaborative

October 22, 2019

New renderings revealed for FXCollaborative-designed Brooklyn Music School expansion

The Brooklyn Music School has just announced plans for a new 20,000 square-foot facility as part of a 167,000 square-foot mixed-use development in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District. In addition to expanding the school’s existing facilities to meet growing demand, the FXCollaborative-designed project will also create 120 new residential units with 36 of those reserved for moderate-income households earning 70 to 100 percent of the area median income.
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New Developments

Rendering by DBOX

October 8, 2019

Brooklyn’s tallest office tower tops out; see new interior renderings

Brooklyn just keeps getting bigger. In April, the borough's tallest tower, the condo tower Brooklyn Point, topped out at 720 feet. Now, Brooklyn's tallest office tower has also reached its full 495-foot height. One Willoughby Square (or 1WSQ as it's now being called) is expected to open at the end of 2020, at which time its architect, FXCollaborative, will also become the anchor tenant. The 34-story building will contain 500,000 square feet of office space; all of the floor plans are column-free and many floors have private outdoor terraces.
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CetraRuddy’s new tower will bring affordable rentals to Downtown Brooklyn

Rendering of 22 Chapel Street courtesy of CetraRuddy

October 3, 2019

CetraRuddy’s new tower will bring affordable rentals to Downtown Brooklyn

After breaking ground last month, the mixed-use development at 22 Chapel Street near the Manhattan Bridge now has more details to share. Designed by CetraRuddy, the 20-story tower will bring 180 rental units to Downtown Brooklyn, 45 of which will be affordable. Among other amenities, it will have a rooftop pool and terrace, along with ground-floor retail space and a new headquarters for the START organization. Completion is expected in 2021.
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Community board wants to rename Willoughby Square Park to honor area’s abolitionist ties

Renderings by Hargreaves Jones, courtesy of NYCEDC

September 27, 2019

Community board wants to rename Willoughby Square Park to honor area’s abolitionist ties

During a Brooklyn Community Board 2 meeting on Wednesday, the group's Youth, Education, and Cultural Affairs Committee voted to rename Downtown Brooklyn's proposed Willoughby Square Park, as Curbed NY first reported. Jacob Morris, a historian and the head of the Harlem Historical Society and the New York City Freedom Trail, initially brought forward a resolution to co-name the square Abolitionist Place Park. By the end of the meeting, the board decided to recommend a full renaming to the city's Economic Development Corporation. The resolution will be voted on by CB2's full board on Oct. 7.
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Uncategorized

The Nets reveal new Barclays Center court design, inspired by Brooklyn

Images by Mike Lawrence; courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets

September 26, 2019

The Nets reveal new Barclays Center court design, inspired by Brooklyn

Images by Mike Lawrence; courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets The Nets have revealed a new primary court design just in time for the 2019-20 season. It's the first full redesign of the court since the Nets moved to Barclays Center in 2012 and it's very much inspired by the team's roots. The new floors retained their trademark herringbone pattern but got updated with a fresh gray hue—an unusual, but symbolic, choice.
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Uncategorized

VIDEO: See two years of work on Brooklyn Point’s recently completed facade

Rendering courtesy of Extell

September 12, 2019

VIDEO: See two years of work on Brooklyn Point’s recently completed facade

Earlier this Spring construction of Brooklyn’s tallest residential tower, Brooklyn Point, topped out at 720 feet. Now, the 68-story skyscraper has reached another construction milestone and is fully enclosed. A new video released by Extell compresses two years of work on the facade into mere seconds, as the Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed building nears completion.
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Brooklyn’s highest penthouse sells to Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie

All renderings via Extell; Photo of Kevin Dinwiddie via Eric Drost on Wiki Commons

September 5, 2019

Brooklyn’s highest penthouse sells to Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie

Not only will Brooklyn Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie have some of the most insane views in New York City, but he'll be just a 15-minute walk from the team's court at the Barclay's Center. The New York Post reports that Dinwiddie is in contract to buy the penthouse unit at Brooklyn Point, the 720-foot-tall tower that is the borough's current tallest residential building and boasts the highest rooftop infinity pool in the western hemisphere. The 68th-floor apartment was last asking $3.9 million.
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Updated design revealed for long-awaited Willoughby Square Park in Downtown Brooklyn

Rendering by Hargreaves Jones, courtesy of NYCEDC

August 28, 2019

Updated design revealed for long-awaited Willoughby Square Park in Downtown Brooklyn

The city unveiled on Monday an updated design for its Willoughby Square Park project, which has been 15 years in the making. The city's Economic Development Corporation and Hargreaves Jones Landscape Architecture presented revised plans to Brooklyn's Community Board, which include lawn space, promenade, and seating near City Point's Dekalb Market, as Bklyner reported.
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Architecture And Design

Image via Google Maps

August 19, 2019

Developer who wants to raze abolitionist home in Brooklyn says he’ll build a museum in basement

Update 8/19/19: The owner of 227 Duffield Street told Gothamist on Friday that he will build an African American museum in the basement of the property which has ties to the abolitionist movement. Samiel Hanasab, who applied for a demolition permit earlier this summer, told the website: "I have a high respect for African Americans. This project will be in the basement." The developer did not provide any additional details for the museum. Despite a series of last-minute preservation attempts after demolition plans for 227 Duffield Street were filed with the city’s Department of Buildings in June, the 19th-century Downtown Brooklyn house with abolitionist ties remains endangered. Gothamist reported that the owner, Samiel Hansab, has filed an application with the Department of Buildings to erect a 13-story mixed-use building in its place. The application is still under review and no permits have been issued, but as Gothamist noted, the best chance of saving the building would be an intervention by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
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Boerum Hill residents sue to undo 80 Flatbush rezoning as tower plans advance

Rendering via Alloy Development and Luxigon.

July 12, 2019

Boerum Hill residents sue to undo 80 Flatbush rezoning as tower plans advance

By Michelle Cohen

Nearly a year after the New York City Council voted to approve 80 Flatbush, a five-building mixed-use development in Downtown Brooklyn, a group of Boerum Hill residents has mounted a court battle to halt the rise of tall buildings on the site and roll back the rezoning that allows them. As the Brooklyn Eagle reports, the 400 & 500 State Street Block Association, comprised mainly of residents who live in the neighborhood's sprinkling of low-rise brownstones, have filed a lawsuit seeking the annulment of the 2018 zoning changes that gave the green light to an 840-foot skyscraper, a 510-foot tower, 670 market-rate apartments and 200 affordable units, two public schools and office and retail space on the property, which is bounded by State Street, Third Avenue, Schermerhorn Street and Flatbush Avenue.
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Real Estate Trends

Image via Google Maps

July 11, 2019

Historic Downtown Brooklyn townhouse with strong abolitionist ties in danger of demolition

Just across the street from Willoughby Park, where the city is planning a memorial to commemorate the abolitionist history of Downtown Brooklyn, the townhouse at 227 Duffield Place—once the home of prominent abolitionists Thomas and Harriet Truesdell and believed to be a stop on the Underground Railroad—is facing an uncertain future. As Brownstoner reported, demolition plans were filed with the city’s Department of Buildings on June 5 and an eviction notice has been posted at the site.
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History

Temporary “pop-up park” opens at future site of Willoughby Square Park

Images courtesy of EDC

July 10, 2019

Temporary “pop-up park” opens at future site of Willoughby Square Park

As plans for a permanent park at Willoughby Square go forward, a temporary green space at the same site has opened to the public. The 15,000-square-foot "pop-up park" will provide a green escape for the local community until the end of the summer in 2020, at which point construction will commence on the permanent, 1.15-acre park scheduled for completion by 2022.
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Architecture And Design

Waitlist opens for ‘affordable’ units at Pacific Park’s modular tower, from $2,025/month

Via Flickr

June 20, 2019

Waitlist opens for ‘affordable’ units at Pacific Park’s modular tower, from $2,025/month

A rental tower in Brooklyn's long-plagued Pacific Park development is currently accepting applications for its affordable housing waitlist. The 363-unit building at 461 Dean Street opened in 2016, with its affordable housing lottery launching that same year. Three years later, the building's lottery waitlist has opened, inviting New Yorkers earning 160 percent of the area median income to apply for the not-so-affordable $2,025/month studios and $2,541/month one-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

VIDEO: See the city’s highest rooftop pool get lifted 680 feet atop supertall Brooklyn Point

Rendering courtesy of Williams New York/Extell

June 14, 2019

VIDEO: See the city’s highest rooftop pool get lifted 680 feet atop supertall Brooklyn Point

The tallest residential building in Brooklyn was crowned this week with the highest infinity pool in the Western Hemisphere. A video released by Extell shows a 27-foot-long pool being hoisted 680 feet in the air, taking its place atop Brooklyn Point. The 68-story tower, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, topped out in April and sits as part of the Downtown Brooklyn development City Point.
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Jeanne Gang’s first residential tower in NYC tops out in Downtown Brooklyn

Images courtesy of Studio Gang

June 4, 2019

Jeanne Gang’s first residential tower in NYC tops out in Downtown Brooklyn

The first residential tower in New York City designed by Jeanne Gang's Studio Gang topped out this week in Downtown Brooklyn. Reaching 620 feet tall, 11 Hoyt Street will offer 481 condos, an elevated park, and 55,000 square feet of amenities. Sales launched at the Tishman Speyer-developed building last September, with prices ranging from $690,000 for studios to about $3.5 million for a four-bedroom. Hill West Architects served as the architect of record for the project.
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A previous rendering; via EDC

May 24, 2019

City revives Downtown Brooklyn’s Willoughby Square Park project

Downtown Brooklyn is finally getting a park that was promised to the neighborhood more than 15 years ago. The city's Economic Development Corporation announced on Friday it will take over construction of the green space at Willoughby Square. In January, the city abandoned the plan to add a new park on top of a high-tech parking facility because of the developer's inability to secure financing. But, as first reported by Crain's, the EDC said the agency's capital division will take on the work itself, without a private developer or the underground automated parking lot originally proposed. The city estimates the park will open sometime in 2022.
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Architecture And Design

With loan secured, Brooklyn’s tallest skyscraper is finally ready to rise

Rendering courtesy of SHoP Architects/JDS Development

April 24, 2019

With loan secured, Brooklyn’s tallest skyscraper is finally ready to rise