80 Flatbush, mixed-use proposal in downtown Brooklyn

Description of project by 80 Flatbush

Context for Density.-

As early as the 1920s, the area around Atlantic Terminal was identified as an important commercial hub and dubbed Brooklyn’s “midtown district.”  Since then, Flatbush Avenue has emerged as Brooklyn’s skyscraper corridor with the borough’s tallest buildings stretching from the former Williamsburgh Savings Bank (built in 1929) to the 1,066 foot-tall 9 Dekalb, which is currently under construction.  A wide avenue richly served by transportation, Flatbush Ave represents one of the best places for growth in the borough. We must take advantage of opportunities to provide economic development, new housing stock, and public infrastructure where we can. 

Transportation.-

Originally a Native American trail crossing Brooklyn from the East River to Far Rockaway, Flatbush Avenue has grown into one of Brooklyn’s most important arteries. The project is prominently located on Flatbush Avenue across from Atlantic Terminal, the city’s second largest transit hub and home to 28 train and bus lines. This location ensures rich transit access from the project’s new homes, schools, work spaces, shops and culture, making 80 Flatbush a model for transit-orientated development in the city. 

Urban Design.-

Alloy serves as the project’s lead design architect, Architecture Research Office is designing the public schools and Neslon Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects is designing the open space. Through the contextual location of different uses, the incorporation of stakeholder feedback, and attention to the design of the lowest 50 feet, the project’s master plan preserves existing buildings, celebrates the civic nature of public schools and separates density into slender, architecturally distinct towers on the site. 

Sustainable Development.-

By delivering extensive public resources without relying on public capital funding, 80 Flatbush stands as a model of economic sustainability for our city. The project promotes environmental leadership through aggressive energy efficiency strategies and best-in-class green building techniques. Through its development, 80 Flatbush strives to proactively provide economic opportunities to those with limited access and rethink how resources get deployed. See more information about those efforts here. 

Schools.-

80 Flatbush will bring two new public schools with a total of 700 seats to Downtown Brooklyn. One of the schools will serve as a replacement facility for the Khalil Gibran International Academy, the city’s first public school to focus on Arabic language and culture. Khalil Gibran currently suffers from severe facility limitations. The creation of a new state-of-the-art facility will foster student achievement and provide an opportunity to grow enrollment. The second school will be a new elementary school that will serve the local community and address Downtown Brooklyn’s severe school seat need. Additionally, the schools will provide valuable auditorium space and gymnasium space to a neighborhood in need of more recreation space.

Housing.-

Our city and borough are in the midst of a housing crisis, with an annual demand for housing that outpaces supply of new units.  The best way to address this crisis is to increase that supply, both market-rate and affordable, in areas that supported by essential infrastructure. The proposed development includes the creation of approximately 200 new permanently affordable units and 700 market-rate units. 

Culture.-

The Brooklyn Cultural District has become a popular destination that draws visitors from across the borough and city. 80 Flatbush includes the development of a new 15,000 square foot cultural facility that will add to the district’s energy and enhance its streetscape experience. Alloy intends to preserve and adaptively reuse the existing building at the corner of 3rd and Schermerhorn Street as this repurposed cultural facility.

Office & Retail.-

Downtown Brooklyn has seen strong job growth in recent years and is now the third-largest office core in the city. But with office vacancy rates at all-time lows, the neighborhood risks stifling future economic growth. The proposed development will add 200,000 square feet of Class A commercial office space to allow local companies to grow. In addition, the project will bring 40,000 square feet of much-needed retail space to an under-served neighborhood.