Brooklyn Heights is charming, architecturally diverse, and is once again a go-to neighborhood for affluent families - a stark contrast to its crime-ridden years in the 1970s and 80s. Now, with the Jehovah's Witnesses unloading their real estate holdings, including the sale of their headquarters to Kushner Companies, the area is seeing its largest flood of new inventory in decades.
The latest condo development to come forth from the Witness' selloff is the impending conversion of 124 Columbia Heights, a stately red-brick building that has been progressively added on to since the early 1900s. Alteration plans detailing the conversion were filed in July by Vincent Viola, founder, and CEO of Virtu Financial, and President Trump’s first nominee for Army Secretary.
Viola purchased the property at 124 Columbia Heights for $105M early last year and is planning to convert the dormitory into 101 apartments. Since the 10-story building falls within the Brooklyn Heights Historic District (designated the city's first in 1965), a dramatic transformation isn't in the cards. Instead, the architects of HS2 Architecture are going before the Landmarks Preservation Commission today to propose their facade updates.
The latest condo development to come forth from the Witness' selloff is the impending conversion of 124 Columbia Heights, a stately red-brick building that has been progressively added on to since the early 1900s. Alteration plans detailing the conversion were filed in July by Vincent Viola, founder, and CEO of Virtu Financial, and President Trump’s first nominee for Army Secretary.
Viola purchased the property at 124 Columbia Heights for $105M early last year and is planning to convert the dormitory into 101 apartments. Since the 10-story building falls within the Brooklyn Heights Historic District (designated the city's first in 1965), a dramatic transformation isn't in the cards. Instead, the architects of HS2 Architecture are going before the Landmarks Preservation Commission today to propose their facade updates.
Aerial of 124 Columbia Heights, which will be transformed into 101 apartments; CityRealty
Existing Facade; HS2 Architecture for LPC
Proposed Facade; HS2 Architecture for LPC
The proposal includes replacing all windows with new aluminum ones, constructing a new opening with a garage door to accommodate tenant parking, replacing doors and the existing marquee, and creating a new elevator and stair bulkhead. So all in all, nothing groundbreaking.
However, its interior conversion into apartments will bring new life and lots of modern amenities to the historic building. A two-level parking garage, pool, locker rooms, dog grooming room, fitness center, laundry, lounge, spa, bike storage, residential storage, and two rooftop terraces, on the eighth and ninth floors, are all called for. Those two terraces will definitely be necessary as those water-front and city views are sure to wow future residents.
The building's residential space spans 151,824 square feet, meaning each apartment will average 1,500 square feet, indicative of condos.
However, its interior conversion into apartments will bring new life and lots of modern amenities to the historic building. A two-level parking garage, pool, locker rooms, dog grooming room, fitness center, laundry, lounge, spa, bike storage, residential storage, and two rooftop terraces, on the eighth and ninth floors, are all called for. Those two terraces will definitely be necessary as those water-front and city views are sure to wow future residents.
The building's residential space spans 151,824 square feet, meaning each apartment will average 1,500 square feet, indicative of condos.
Proposed Changes by HS2 Architecture
124 Columbia Heights stands close to a number of new developments in Brooklyn Heights, including Pierhouse At Brooklyn Bridge Park, the massive 449-unit One Brooklyn Bridge Park, and The Standish, a former hotel turned condo that recently broke the record for most expensive condo sale in the neighborhood at $11.65M. The median price of condos in Brooklyn Heights is $2.985M, according to CityRealty data.
124 Columbia Heights, located near Pierhouse At Brooklyn Bridge Park; CityRealty
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