Major Redevelopment Near Brooklyn Navy Yard Enters City Land Use Review Process

By Williamsburg 365 Staff

A major redevelopment project set to transform a 10-building commercial site near the Brooklyn Navy Yard has officially entered the city's land use review process.

The development, led by New York-based developer RXR, seeks to revitalize a 2.6-acre block in Clinton Hill, currently home to a migrant shelter, into a dynamic mixed-use community offering residential, commercial, and retail spaces. The site, which is located across from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, is currently zoned for commercial and industrial use but could undergo a rezoning to accommodate the new development if approved.

The plan involves demolishing two of the ten existing buildings and replacing them with a 21-story tower containing 464 residential units, including 116 to 139 permanently affordable apartments. Another building, located at 14-42 Ryerson Street, would be converted into a nine-story residential building with 147 units, including 37 to 44 affordable units. A mix of small commercial, maker spaces, retail, and self-storage spaces would occupy the remaining seven buildings, which will be renovated.

If the proposed rezoning is approved, the site would be re-zoned from M1-2 to a combination of M1-5, M1-6A, and R8 zones, paving the way for this substantial development. The development team has yet to decide which of the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) options to pursue but has confirmed the residential units will be rentals, with a mix of studio and larger apartments.

RXR’s Senior Project Manager of Public-Private Development, Neelima Panoli, emphasized the potential of the project to transform the largely underutilized area into an active, vibrant mixed-use campus. She pointed out that the project could bring much-needed housing, including affordable units, while boosting foot traffic and supporting local businesses. The plan also envisions 90,000 square feet of commercial space designed for smaller, creative tenants, with street-level retail spaces for community-serving businesses. There will be landscaped open spaces, intended to create a 24-hour dynamic environment.

The new residential tower will be designed with retail spaces along Flushing Avenue and will feature a basement parking facility with space for 60 cars. City planning documents note that the development will not have significant adverse effects on the city’s water or sewer systems but will significantly contribute to addressing the city's ongoing housing crisis.

photo: RXR