BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — As Bed-Stuy’s Bedford Avenue turns into "condo canyon," DeKalb Avenue is also becoming a hotbed for development.
At least 10 new residential buildings are set to rise along a four-block strip of DeKalb Avenue, meeting the demand for more modern units in the neighborhood’s northern section, according to area brokers.
A large stretch of the avenue in Bed-Stuy is in proximity to the G and J trains and is zoned to allow buildings up to seven stories high. Such features make the thoroughfare an attractive option to developers, said real estate firm TerraCRG’s Matt Cosentino.
“Most importantly, it’s really just opportunity,” said Cosentino, vice president of investment sales for the company. “There were a lot of empty lots and one-story warehouse buildings.
“The whole neighborhood is filling in. …Basically developers are going where they can get big development sites where maybe two to three years ago they wouldn’t have gone to. And it doesn’t seem like renters or buyers have much of an issue following them.”
A seven-story building with 37 apartments and indoor parking is slated for the former empty space at 740 DeKalb Ave., and another 28-unit building is taking over an old warehouse next to Marcy Library.
An analysis from The Real Deal listed Bedford-Stuyvesant as the city’s most active neighborhood for new residential building applications in 2015’s first quarter, with developers filing for at least 33 projects.
This includes the northern area, which is becoming a desirable location for young professionals, according to Ban Leow of Halstead Property.
The market is shifting, he added, as those hoping to buy brownstones have been priced out and are looking for alternative options.
“I just don’t want it to turn into another Williamsburg,” Leow said. “Plus, local people are resisting any type of crazy design and it's all under scrutiny."
“My thing is, you want to make sure it blends in with the existing neighborhood — or at least tries to — instead of the fishbowl living of condos that are out of place.”
A six-story, 70-unit building taking shape between Throop and Tompkins avenues already drew ire from neighbors after its original design garnered comparisons to a spaceship.
Still, many new apartments’ contemporary designs appeal to both buyers and renters, according to brokers.
The average price of smaller condos starts at $900 per square foot, Cosentino said, while rentals are around $40 to $45 per square foot, depending on location.
Check out DNAinfo’s map of the 10 new construction projects on DeKalb Avenue. Let us know on Neighborhood Square if we missed any sites.
627 DeKalb Ave.
Situated near the corner of Nostrand Avenue, a seven-story apartment building is set to rise at 627 DeKalb. A total of 28 units are planned with 15 parking spaces. A rendering released by Issac & Stern Architects shows eight terraces and a first floor garage.
641 DeKalb Ave.
Developer Guy Iber will bring a five-story, eight-unit residence to the vacant lot, according to permits and reports. The first and fifth floors will have one apartment each and two units will be located on the second through fourth floors, as first reported by New York YIMBY.
740 DeKalb Ave.
A seven-story building is being constructed between Marcy and Tompkins avenues with 37 apartments and 19 enclosed parking spaces, according to permits filed. The units will take up 25,512 square feet and the building is designed by Brent M. Porter, Architect & Associates.
785 DeKalb Ave.
Original designs for the building near Tompkins Avenue drew complaints from locals who criticized its spaceship-like structure. Renderings have since been revised, according to reports. The property was picked up by SSJ Development for $2.7 million and will turn into a six-story residence with 70 apartments, as first reported by Brownstoner.
806 DeKalb Ave.
A six-story, 16-unit building is planned for the lot near Throop Avenue, replacing a single-story structure torn down in 2014. The city’s Department of Buildings approved an application for the new building on June 5.
820 DeKalb Ave.
A former three-story walkup is being replaced by a 10-unit apartment building at 820 DeKalb Ave., according to reports. Permits approved in early June call for a four-story structure with a penthouse and cellar.
821 DeKalb Ave.
Construction is nearly complete at the site near Throop Avenue. Permits detail a four-story building with three units. The property currently has multiple entrances and four terraces overlooking DeKalb Avenue. A sign outside the building advertises listings from real estate firm Highline Residential.
855 DeKalb Ave.
The property between Marcus Garvey Boulevard and Throop Avenue will soon be home to a five-story residence. Permits were filed for the conversion of a three-story commercial space to a building with 15 apartments spread throughout 15,000 square feet.
875 DeKalb Ave.
Architect Charles Mallea is designing a six-story, 35-unit building to fill the vacant lot. A recent rendering posted at the site shows terraces and green space on the top floor. South Williamsburg developer Simon Kaufman picked up the property for $3 million last June, as first reported by New York YIMBY.
880 DeKalb Ave.
Just across the street from 875 DeKalb, a seven-story residence is proposed for the former one-story commercial building at 880 DeKalb Avenue. The property will have 46 units, according to permits. The application for the new structure was approved on March 6, 2014.
A stop work order was issued on June 29 following a complaint of vibrations from excavation work. The order was rescinded on the same date, according to DOB online records.
