Development

Workers Prep for Massive Condo-Rental Complex at Former Jehovah's Witnesses Parking Lot in Dumbo

Activity is picking up at 85 Jay Street in Dumbo, where a giant complex with a mix of condos and rentals will soon sprout.

85 jay street dumbo brooklyn development

Photo by Susan De Vries

by Cate Corcoran

06/07/2018 3 minute 0

Activity is picking up at 85 Jay Street in Dumbo, where a giant complex with a mix of condos and rentals will soon sprout. Workers have not yet broken out the hammers but were busy prepping the ground for construction at 85 Jay in Dumbo when Brownstoner stopped by Wednesday.

Excavators, a pile driver, mixer and other heavy construction equipment were busy at the site, which has recently acquired a green construction fence.

It’s a mega-project on a prominent spot in Dumbo, a massive former parking lot previously owned by the Jehovah’s Witnesses that occupies a whole block between the York Street subway station and the water.

The city in April issued a building permit for the project, a 21-story, 732-unit building that, unusually, will be part rental, part condo — and have two swimming pools, one set aside for owners and one for renters, filings show. The Morris Adjmi-designed building will cover 59 percent of the huge lot and have parking for 712 cars on a subterranean level, a community facility and retail space.

Partners CIM Group, LIVWRK and Kushner Companies snagged the site from the Witnesses in 2016 for $345 million. Wednesday, CIM Group confirmed Kushner had sold its 2.5 stake in the project.

The project is expected to bring thousands of new residents to Dumbo, one of Brooklyn’s most expensive neighborhoods.