A vast chasm of under-utilized land lies along Atlantic Avenue, east of the recently renamed Pacific Park, and is zoned for low-rent industrial and commercial uses. But just to the east of the no man’s land, between Fulton and Atlantic, a few parcels are still generously zoned for residential development. And Boaz Gilad (whose firms include Brookland Capital and Elevation Holdings) found one, at 531 Vanderbilt Avenue, where he’s in the process of erecting a seven-story residential building.
Unlike the chintzy rentals that went up in this area during the last boom, including one right next door, 531 Vanderbilt will be a slightly more attractive condo building.
531 Vanderbilt Avenue, rendering via Isaac & Stern
The 18-unit building was to be composed of two distinct sections – a low building with a face made of thin dark bricks, out of which would rise a more modern structure with loft-style windows and metal spandrels. The rendering bears a strong resemblance to 954 Bergen Street, in nearby Crown Heights, which is another collaboration by Boaz Gilad and Isaac & Stern Architects.
531 Vanderbilt Avenue
But there are renderings, and then there’s reality. A peek behind the construction net shows that the developer swapped out the architect’s thin gray bricks for cheaper, thicker beige ones. The spandrel on the other section of the building has not yet been placed, so we’ll have to wait to see how faithful that part is to the depicted design.
531 Vanderbilt Avenue
According to permits filed last year, the structure will have just over 13,000 square feet of total floor area, and a bit under 12,000 square feet will be devoted to apartments. With just around 660 square feet per unit on average, the condos will be relatively small – probably studios and one-bedrooms – offering ownership at a much lower price point than the townhouses and larger for-sale apartments in the area.
Gilad told YIMBY that work should wrap up in late fall.
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