COBBLE HILL — A two-story retail center slated for a vacant lot on Court Street could begin rising next year, according to the project's architect and developer.
Developer Lonicera Partners, a real estate investment firm that owns the site, is planning to build a roughly 8,200-square-foot building with two floors of commercial space and a cellar for storage and more retail at 178 Court St., at the corner of Congress Street.
The property, which was formerly a parking lot, was purchased in August for about $1.7 million, city records show.
The project's team, which includes PKSB Architects, filed for permits with the Department of Buildings in September and is awaiting approval from the city agency, according to city records and Jamie Anthony, a principal at Lonicera Partners.
Since Cobble Hill is a historic district, developers must also seek approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission, with whom they are scheduled to meet in December, Anthony said.
The project will also be presented to Community Board 6's landmarks committee on Dec. 4.
While the building's design has yet to be finalized, architects are planning for street-level storefront windows, though it's currently unclear how much glass will occupy the facade, said Robert Biano, of PKSB Architects.
Last month, CB6's landmarks committee blasted a proposed retail center on Atlantic Avenue in Cobble Hill for being "too glassy."
Developers are also looking to keep the space flexible so it could hold a single shop or multiple stores.
"It will be a modern yet contextual buildng," said Anthony, adding that the two upper floors will contain about 5,700 square-feet.
Provided the team receives swift approval from the city, it plans to break ground within the first quarter of 2015 and complete it within nine months, Anthony said.
Lonicera Partners is currently developing two other projects nearby, in Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill, according to the firm's website.
The first is a 13,000 square-foot residential building at 173 Amity St. near Clinton Street, and the second is a residential building with ground-floor retail at 267 Pacific St. near Smith Street.
