As the planned Gowanus rezoning moves through the city , review proces, the neighborhood is nevertheless undergoing a renaissance once thought unlikely, if not outright impossible due to its fetid central waterway. Whole Foods chose Gowanus as the location for its first Brooklyn outpost in 2013 and a slew of new developments such as 363 and 365 Bond has since followed. Recently, new plans were unveiled for “Gowanus Tower,” a new seven-story building and unofficial landmark planned for 454 Carroll Street.
Property owner Michael Cohen is at the helm of the project, and news of his plans for the site came to light last fall. Since then, designer of record OPerA Studio has released new renderings that show how the project has evolved. The four-story concrete base will be formed from a rigid structural grid and have oversized windows. The three-story volume on top is lighter and more open, yet more seamlessly connected to the base than in previous renderings. It will receive a movable wood sun shade over floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking sweeping Brooklyn views.
In addition to a new look, the site may be in for a new use. The project was originally conceived as a manufacturer’s building with a penthouse on top (three guesses who’d be living there). Indeed, approved permits filed with the city list a “jewelry ceramics manufacture” on floors two through five. However, recently revealed floor plans show what looks like traditional offices on floors two through six, with the seventh floor being used as an accessory apartment and meeting room. The ground floor will host a lobby and 15 parking places.
According to CityRealty data, median rents range from $2,775/month for a studio to $4,500/month for a three-bedroom. There are just four condos available in the mostly industrial neighborhood. The units, all two and three bedrooms, blend to an average price per square foot of $1,211.
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Michelle Mazzarella
Michelle is a contributing writer and editor for real estate news in New York City