Full Breakdown
Gowanus Development: Approval for 1,000-Unit Mixed-Use Complex at 175 Third Street
4/14/2026, 2:29:04 AM
Project Overview and Design Features
The New York City Planning Commission has approved plans for a significant mixed-use development at 175 Third Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn. Developed by Charney Companies and Tavros, with design by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in collaboration with dencityworks, the project will consist of a 27-story building encompassing over 1 million square feet. It is expected to yield approximately 1,071 residential units, with around 250 designated as affordable housing under the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program. The project is part of the broader redevelopment initiative following the 2021 rezoning of the area.
The design features a series of cascading volumes arranged in a horseshoe configuration, maximizing light and outdoor access while framing a central waterfront park. The façade will consist of a grid of floor-to-ceiling windows framed by cast concrete. The development will also include ground-floor retail, artist spaces, landscaped courtyards, and rooftop terraces, alongside a 28,000-square-foot publicly accessible waterfront esplanade designed to absorb stormwater and mitigate flooding.
Background and Context
The site at 175 Third Street has remained largely inactive for over a decade, previously serving as a Verizon parking lot and housing single-story industrial structures. The property was acquired for $160 million in April 2025, following environmental remediation work completed by the previous owner, RFR. The new design represents a significant increase in scale and density compared to earlier proposals, which envisioned a smaller 374-unit structure.
Timeline and Construction Plans
Permits for excavation and foundation work were issued in mid-2025, with construction expected to commence soon. The project is anticipated to be completed by the late 2020s, with leasing to follow. The exact timeline remains contingent on market conditions and the finalization of remaining permits.
Criticism and Community Concerns
The development has raised concerns among local community groups and environmental advocates, particularly regarding its proximity to the Gowanus Canal, a designated EPA Superfund site. Critics are likely to scrutinize the project's potential shadow impacts and flood-resilience measures as construction progresses.
Official Statements and Responses
Charney Companies principal Sam Charney emphasized the importance of selecting BIG for their understanding of Gowanus's industrial history. The project is positioned as a key component of the Gowanus Wharf cluster, which aims to reshape the canalfront in line with the recent rezoning.
What's Next
As the project moves forward, it will require non-discretionary certifications from the City Planning Commission chair before vertical construction can begin. The ongoing developments in Gowanus will continue to attract attention as they unfold, marking a transformative period for the neighborhood.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Developers say the project will stitch new housing, ground-floor retail and artist space into a canalfront esplanade, with about a quarter of the apartments locked in as permanently affordable.” — New York City Planning Commission
- “The revised plan almost triples the number of apartments while increasing the building’s height and density.” — Sam Charney, Principal, Charney Companies
- “Commercial Observer offers broader context on how 175 Third Street fits into Gowanus's latest wave of development, with this project positioned as a major test of what the rezoned canalfront will actually look and feel like on the ground.” — Commercial Observer
