August 13, 2005, Brooklyn Papers — A developer that paid $12 million for four lots next to the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Harvey Theater in Fort Greene plans to build a large-scale luxury condominium complex, a spokeswoman for the developer said. The representative of Manhattan-based The Clarett Group contacted The Brooklyn Papers after the newspaper reported last week that the company had quietly bought up and cleared of tenants the properties next to the performance space on Fulton Street at Ashland Place.

Despite rumors that Clarett would seek to build a hotel on the site, a use allowed under the current commercial zoning, the source said the developer would instead build condominiums there, which they can do as-of-right by including ground-floor commercial space. The site could support a 30-story residential tower. Fort Greene Councilwoman Letitia James, who dealt with Clarett on behalf of some of the evicted tenants who lived and worked in the low-rise buildings at 655 through 671 Fulton St., called the company’s plans underhanded.

Harvey’s Neighbors: Condos [Brooklyn Papers]