A number of new developments are underway in both Brooklyn and Queens. Here is a look at just a few.
Massive Downtown Brooklyn Development Moves Forward
Located at 80 Flatbush Avenue, a massive Downtown Brooklyn development will bring 900 apartments, two school, office space and retail space to the area. Amidst some community concerns, however, the development was scaled down from its original plan. Developed by Alloy Development and unveiled last spring, the height and glassy design of the towers were both problematic with some residents. With one tower rising 74 stories and another 38 stories, residents were concerned that the size would not respect the scale and design of the brownstone neighborhood. In response to these concerns, the developer has scaled back its proposed mixed-use complex, which will be situated at the nexus of Downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene and Boerum Hill.
Clinton Hill Church Conversion Gains Approval
The conversion of a former Clinton Hill church adjoining Parish Hall has been approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission after the initial proposal was denied in December of last year. According to the revised proposal, eight new townhouses will be built within the existing church and adjoining school building.
The original plans drew concerns because of a rooftop addition on the school building and plans to remove stained glass windows in the church that were designed by Tiffany and Thomas Lamb. Architecture firm Roart made modifications to the plans that include significantly reducing the rooftop addition and making it less visible from street level. Meanwhile, residents of the development will have the option to have the stained glass windows re-installed when the redevelopment is complete. If not, the windows will be donated to either a museum or a cultural organization.
The unit count has also been reduced, with the original plans calling for 14 apartments and five townhouses between the two structures. Current plans call for just eight townhouses with four in each building.
New 24-Story Rental Coming to Jamaica
A new 24-story tower will soon replace a warehouse on 94th Avenue in Queens. Once complete, the project will bring 522 apartments near to the Jamaica LIRR station. Being developed by Phoenix Realty Group along with Artimus Construction, the project will bring just over 16,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor along with parking for over 200 cars. Amenities include multiple outdoor terraces, a screening room, two fitness centers, a library and two children’s playrooms.
Willets Point Project Focuses on Affordable Housing
Redevelopment plans for the Willets Point project near Citi Field hit a standstill, but the project now appears to be moving forward once more. According to new plans for the Queens project, the development will bring 1,100 affordable apartments to the city. The section along Willets Point Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue will also see the development of a school, retail space and publicly-accessible open space. While original plans called for the development of a shopping mall, that part of the plans has been removed due to a judge ruling last summer that the space could not be used for a mall because it has been previously designated as park space. Nothing new has yet been planned for that space.