AvalonBay Communities filed plans last week for a 58-story rental apartment tower on Willoughby Street between Bridge and Duffield streets in Brooklyn.

According to an article by Linda Collins today at brookyneagle.net, the 860-unit project will be known as Avalon Willoughby West and would become the tallest building in Brooklyn.

In June, The Clarrett Group topped out its 51-story rental tower at 111 Lawrence Street, known as "The Brooklyner," which was two feet taller than the borough's previous tallest building, the 512-foot-high Williamsburgh Savings Bank Building that has been converted to residential use and is now known as One Hanson Place.

AvalonBay Communities is already building a major complex nearby at Myrtle Avenue, Gold Street and Flatbush Avenue Extension called Avalon Fort Greene.

The article quoted Stephanie Cuba, project manager for AvalonBay as stating that her company sees "a big demand for apartments" and are "big believers in Downtown Brooklyn," adding that the company thinks "it's a great community."

Noting that the area has been an untapped market Cuba said she is well aware of the four hotels in various stages of development around the corner on Duffield Street, the article continued.

Ms. Cuba told the Brooklyn Eagle that she is not sure of a starting date but that demolition of existing buildings and construction on the new building should start within a year, and completion is estimated to take two years. She said that a final design of the project by SLCE Architects has not been completed.

The building will be about 596 feet tall and have parking for about 345 cars and street-level retail.