It stinks to be known for an odor, but for over a century, Gowanus was defined by the polluted canal running through its core. That said, it’s now one of Brooklyn’s most closely watched real estate frontiers.
With the Superfund project 15 years in, working to clean the canal, and a sweeping rezoning effort has unlocked a wave of new development, bringing mixed-income residential towers, cultural spaces, and commercial hubs to an area once dominated by warehouses and factories.
With the Superfund project 15 years in, working to clean the canal, and a sweeping rezoning effort has unlocked a wave of new development, bringing mixed-income residential towers, cultural spaces, and commercial hubs to an area once dominated by warehouses and factories.
In 2013, Brooklyn’s first Whole Foods opened with a rooftop greenhouse and partnerships with local vendors. Powerhouse Arts, a purpose built facility, serves as a major creative center, offering artists top-tier fabrication facilities and exhibition space in a renovated industrial building. And the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club embraces the neighborhood vibe with shuffleboard courts, craft cocktails, and a rotating lineup of food trucks.
Gowanus Canal with Powerhouse Arts (right) and 420 Carroll in the distance (CityRealty | April 2025)
March 2025 wound down with Arts Gowanus' fourth annual Tower Show, an event where all participants purchase a template of the water tower that serves as Arts Gowanus' logo, and make it their own with their materials of choice. With nearly 170 pieces on display, this year's exhibit is the largest yet.
The Tower Show is an homage to Gowanus' history, but this year's event nods to the neighborhood's future as well: It takes place at new rental Union Channel, where the developer have agreed to let Arts Gowanus use the space until it gets leased by another tenant (h/t Brownstoner).
The Tower Show is an homage to Gowanus' history, but this year's event nods to the neighborhood's future as well: It takes place at new rental Union Channel, where the developer have agreed to let Arts Gowanus use the space until it gets leased by another tenant (h/t Brownstoner).
As developers bet big on Gowanus’ future, the neighborhood remains in flux—its transformation shaped by an ongoing $1.6 billion environmental cleanup, rising property values, and debates over affordability. At the heart of it all, Gowanus stands as a case study in New York City’s ever-shifting urban landscape, where industrial grit meets 21st-century reinvention.
The Canal
The Gowanus Canal, once a natural confluence that provided Brooklyn’s indigenous Canarsee tribe with fish and freshwater, was transformed by settlers into an industrial waterway by 1869. As New York City expanded, factories and refineries along its banks turned it into one of the most polluted bodies of water in the nation. Earlier this year, the New York Post reported that Gowanus “residents allege they’re suffering from putrid air and fear more toxins could be released into their tony neighborhood.”
The Gowanus Canal cleanup, a Superfund project started in 2010, is unfolding in multiple phases. Phase 1, involved dredging and capping, finished in mid-2024 after delays, while the $369 million Phase 2 began shortly after, and focused on the canal’s middle section. Concerns have arisen over foul odors, the potential release of carcinogens from dredging, and the transport of toxic sludge through Brooklyn and Staten Island. Residents worry about health risks, while critics call for more transparency from the EPA.
The Gowanus Lowlands by SCAPE is a community-based vision for a restored public realm and open space network centered around the Gowanus Canal and its watershed. https://www.scapestudio.com/projects/the-gowanus-lowlands/
Rendering of one of two Gowanus Canal Combined Sewer Overflow facilities (Selldorf Architects/Courtesy NYC Department of Environmental Protection)
NYC is investing $1.6 billion in infrastructure upgrades, including underground storage tanks to manage sewage and stormwater. While progress continues, community unease remains over the project’s environmental and health impacts.
Additionally, the Architect’s Newspaper reported in 2023 that a new Selldorf Architects-designed facility will support the Superfund site. The project will add another layer of defense against pollution including combined sewer overflow, which releases raw sewage and runoff during heavy rainfall, as well as coal tar and petroleum-related contamination. Selldorf’s new facility will help by providing extra storage to prevent overflow, reducing pollution and protecting the canal.
Architecture firm Fogarty Finger has recently designed three rental buildings in Gowanus. Harshad Pillai, Fogarty Finger Director, commented, “Our design process for the projects on Union, Douglass, and Nevins Streets was revelatory, as it allowed us to engage deeply with the urban design intent of the Gowanus rezoning. By embracing the inherent design challenges, we crafted a series of buildings that are both iconic and seamlessly woven into the evolving neighborhood fabric. Together, these four buildings will introduce approximately 1,200 rental units, each thoughtfully designed to have its own distinct identity, while contributing to a cohesive urban community. This collection of residences will not only provide much-needed housing, but also enrich the area with active streetscapes, improved connectivity, and a vibrant mix of uses that reflect the dynamic spirit of Gowanus.”
Alexander Brodsky, President of the development firm Brodsky, adds that its project at 499 President Street will be “a cultural anchor at the heart of Gowanus.” Going long on Gowanus, Brodsky explains, “We've built our portfolio by strategically investing in the city's best and most vibrant neighborhoods. Gowanus has all of the qualities we look for: great restaurants, locally operated retail, abundant green space, easy access to transportation, and a streetscape that fosters a sense of community.”
Newly launched rentals
350 units | 10 stories
Developed by Brodsky Organization | Design by SLCE Architects
Completed in 2025
2 availabilities from $3,126/month
1 month free rent on a 12-month lease
Developed by Brodsky Organization | Design by SLCE Architects
Completed in 2025
2 availabilities from $3,126/month
1 month free rent on a 12-month lease
499 President Street (Brodsky Organization) | https://499president.com/
Rooftop pool and sun deck
The intelligently planned residences range from studios to two-bedrooms, each crafted with an open-concept layout that provides a comfortable canvas for modern living. The interiors emphasize quality in a way that is classic to Brooklyn and yet moves the aesthetic forward, with details like five-inch wide plank floors and black-framed windows. Beautiful bright kitchens showcase white oak cabinetry with satin nickel hardware, Caesarstone countertops that mimic the materiality of concrete, and elegant tiled backsplashes in a distinct vertical pattern. Bathrooms feature floor-to-ceiling white tiled walls, gray tiled floors, elegant backlit vanities, recessed medicine cabinets and satin nickel fixtures.
Cool features of 499 President Street:
- A 9th-floor outdoor pool
- A rooftop dining lounge, a resident lounge, and a quiet lounge
- The award-winning Brodsky Neighbors program offers special promotions and exclusive offers from local businesses, arts organizations, and other partners around the neighborhood and on site
Cool features of 499 President Street:
- A 9th-floor outdoor pool
- A rooftop dining lounge, a resident lounge, and a quiet lounge
- The award-winning Brodsky Neighbors program offers special promotions and exclusive offers from local businesses, arts organizations, and other partners around the neighborhood and on site
499 President Street finishing construction as of spring 2025
240 3rd Avenue
224 units | 9 stories
Developed by Charney Companies and Tavros Capital | Design by Fogarty Finger Architecture
Completed in 2025
8 availabilities from $3,400/month
Up to 1.5 months free rent on a 16-month lease
224 units | 9 stories
Developed by Charney Companies and Tavros Capital | Design by Fogarty Finger Architecture
Completed in 2025
8 availabilities from $3,400/month
Up to 1.5 months free rent on a 16-month lease
Union Channel (Gowanus Wharf) | https://www.gowanuswharf.com/union-channel
Co-working lounge
The forthcoming Gowanus Wharf complex is an emerging mixed-use development comprising four residential buildings that blend arts and retail spaces. Union Channel is the first to be completed, and additional buildings like Douglas Port at 251 Douglass Street, Nevins Landing at 310 and 340 Nevins Street, and another development at 175 Third Street will collectively add over 1,700 residential units to the area.
Union Channel is a striking nine-story building featuring a dimpled aluminum metal panel and an undulating architectural concrete façade, with floor-to-ceiling windows that fill every unit with natural light. Twenty-five percent of units were designated as affordable housing, and market-rate leasing began in January 2025.
Cool features of Union Channel:
- Sky Lounge private dining and viewing terrace
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Coworking lounge and premier gym
Union Channel is a striking nine-story building featuring a dimpled aluminum metal panel and an undulating architectural concrete façade, with floor-to-ceiling windows that fill every unit with natural light. Twenty-five percent of units were designated as affordable housing, and market-rate leasing began in January 2025.
Cool features of Union Channel:
- Sky Lounge private dining and viewing terrace
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Coworking lounge and premier gym
193 units | 14 stories
Developed by Avery Hall and Gindi Capital | Design by LZA
Completed in 2024
6 availabilities from $4,175/month
1 month free rent on a 13-month lease
Developed by Avery Hall and Gindi Capital | Design by LZA
Completed in 2024
6 availabilities from $4,175/month
1 month free rent on a 13-month lease
655 Union Street (Avery Residential) | https://www.655union.com/
With interiors by CL-OTH, a New York-based boutique design firm, 655 Union Street emphasizes stylish minimalism and modern elegance. Airy and effortless, the sun-bathed apartments are crafted for modern living.
Offering one-, one-and-a-half-, and two-bedroom residences, 655 Union has thoughtful layouts and well-proportioned rooms. Each unit offers an abundance of light, modern finishes, warm tones, soaring ceilings up to 11.5 feet, in-unit laundry, custom light fixtures, and energy-efficient central heating and cooling. Additional features such as double-pane, bird-friendly windows and custom shades (blackout ones in the bedrooms),
Cool features of 655 Union Street:
- Spread across the building’s top floor, Club Union offers one of the most substantial amenity packages in New York City with over 9,000 square-feet of indoor-outdoor luxury
- The Study includes a Core modular couch, abundant desk space, and four private phone booths overlooking Brooklyn and offering natural front lighting for any on-camera calls. A connected outdoor patio offers additional seating and effortless indoor-outdoor living
- The communal media room includes high-design furnishings like a large Muuto couch and other comfortable seating for reading, gathering with friends and neighbors, or watching a movie on the 75-inch TV
- Tucked on the second floor, there is a secluded oasis “sunset garden”
Offering one-, one-and-a-half-, and two-bedroom residences, 655 Union has thoughtful layouts and well-proportioned rooms. Each unit offers an abundance of light, modern finishes, warm tones, soaring ceilings up to 11.5 feet, in-unit laundry, custom light fixtures, and energy-efficient central heating and cooling. Additional features such as double-pane, bird-friendly windows and custom shades (blackout ones in the bedrooms),
Cool features of 655 Union Street:
- Spread across the building’s top floor, Club Union offers one of the most substantial amenity packages in New York City with over 9,000 square-feet of indoor-outdoor luxury
- The Study includes a Core modular couch, abundant desk space, and four private phone booths overlooking Brooklyn and offering natural front lighting for any on-camera calls. A connected outdoor patio offers additional seating and effortless indoor-outdoor living
- The communal media room includes high-design furnishings like a large Muuto couch and other comfortable seating for reading, gathering with friends and neighbors, or watching a movie on the 75-inch TV
- Tucked on the second floor, there is a secluded oasis “sunset garden”
420 Carroll Street
360 units | 21 stories
Developed by Domain Companies and Vorea Group | Design by FXCollaborative
Completed in 2024
14 availabilities from $3,390/month
Up to 2 months free rent on a 14-month lease
360 units | 21 stories
Developed by Domain Companies and Vorea Group | Design by FXCollaborative
Completed in 2024
14 availabilities from $3,390/month
Up to 2 months free rent on a 14-month lease
420 Carroll (Domain Companies) | https://420bk.com/
High-floor living roomat 420 Carroll
420 Carroll was the first project to be developed under a 2021 rezoning that upzoned 82 blocks of the neighborhood to create 8,500 units of housing and new open space. The project comprises a 21-story tower and a 16-story tower connected by an underground tunnel, and included a new public promenade.
Cool features about 420 Carroll:
- The tunnel connecting the towers allows residents to access amenities in both buildings
- In addition to indoor amenities like a lobby lounge, library, fitness center, and children's playroom, there are multiple outdoor green spaces
Cool features about 420 Carroll:
- The tunnel connecting the towers allows residents to access amenities in both buildings
- In addition to indoor amenities like a lobby lounge, library, fitness center, and children's playroom, there are multiple outdoor green spaces
66 units | 14 stories
Developed by Joseph Vogel | Design by Fischer Makooi Architect
Completed in 2025
5 availabilities from $3,150/month
1 month free rent on a 13-month lease
Developed by Joseph Vogel | Design by Fischer Makooi Architect
Completed in 2025
5 availabilities from $3,150/month
1 month free rent on a 13-month lease
288 4th Avenue (Borough Developers)
288 4th Avenue is a mixed-use building located where Park Slope meets Gowanus. An affordable housing lottery took place at the beginning of 2025, and market-rate leasing recently launched.
Cool features of 288 4th Avenue:
- Residences come equipped with washers/dryers, and many have private terraces or balconies
- The building's fitness center opens to an outdoor terrace
- A rooftop terrace with grills is great for dining and relaxing
Cool features of 288 4th Avenue:
- Residences come equipped with washers/dryers, and many have private terraces or balconies
- The building's fitness center opens to an outdoor terrace
- A rooftop terrace with grills is great for dining and relaxing
Blech..
Under Construction
500 Degraw Street
344 units | 21 stories
Developed by PMG | Design by
SLCE and PMG
Completion 2025
Studio to 3-bed residences to begin leasing Spring 2025
344 units | 21 stories
Developed by PMG | Design by SLCE and PMG
Completion 2025
Studio to 3-bed residences to begin leasing Spring 2025
The 21-story Society Brooklyn at Degraw, located at 500 Degraw Street, is one of two buildings in the waterfront Society Brooklyn complex on the Gowanus waterfront. The building has 344 units with a glassy façade allowing for abundant natural light. All studio to two-bedroom units feature oversized windows, high-end finishes, energy-efficient appliances, smart thermostats, and in-unit washers and dryers. Amenities at Society Brooklyn include a state-of-the-art fitness center, a coworking lounge, a recreation room, and an outdoor pool. Additional conveniences include package lockers, bike storage, and on-site parking.
500 Degraw Street
173 units | 21 stories
Developed by PMG | Design by
SLCE and PMG
Completion 2025
Studio to 3-bed residences to begin leasing Spring 2025
173 units | 21 stories
Developed by PMG | Design by SLCE and PMG
Completion 2025
Studio to 3-bed residences to begin leasing Spring 2025
Society Brooklyn at Sackett is a 21-story, 173-unit rental building located at 498 Sackett Street, part of the waterfront Society Brooklyn complex in Gowanus. Its sleek glass façade brings in abundant natural light, illuminating thoughtfully designed studio to two-bedroom residences with oversized windows, high-end finishes, energy-efficient appliances, smart thermostats, and in-unit washer/dryers.
Leasing is set to begin this spring. Residents will enjoy a full suite of amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, coworking lounge, recreation room, and outdoor pool, as well as package lockers, bike storage, and on-site parking. The building is smoke-free and pet-friendly, welcoming up to two pets per unit. Ideally situated near the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club and Gowanus nightlife, Society Brooklyn also offers easy access to the Carroll Street F/G and Union Street R subway lines.
Leasing is set to begin this spring. Residents will enjoy a full suite of amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, coworking lounge, recreation room, and outdoor pool, as well as package lockers, bike storage, and on-site parking. The building is smoke-free and pet-friendly, welcoming up to two pets per unit. Ideally situated near the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club and Gowanus nightlife, Society Brooklyn also offers easy access to the Carroll Street F/G and Union Street R subway lines.
500 Degraw Street
604 units | 23 stories
Developed by Rabsky Group | Design by
FRW Architects and Input Creative Studio
Completion Late 2025
Studio to 3-bed residences to begin leasing Spring 2025
604 units | 23 stories
Developed by Rabsky Group | Design by FRW Architects and Input Creative Studio
Completion Late 2025
Studio to 3-bed residences to begin leasing Spring 2025
Brooklyn-based developer The Rabsky Group, led by Simon Dushinsky, is behind a large-scale residential project rising along the Gowanus Canal. Spanning a combined 567,000 square feet, the development includes two multi-family rental buildings totaling 604 units. The project is supported by a $286 million construction loan secured from G4 Capital.
The larger of the two towers, located at 395 Carroll Street, will rise 23 stories and feature 425 apartments, along with nearly 29,000 square feet of commercial space—likely for retail—and a 48-car enclosed parking garage. Just across the street, 325 Bond Street (also known as 313 Bond Street) will rise 9 stories and house 179 apartments, along with close to 23,000 square feet of commercial space and a 44-car garage. Together, the two towers are transforming the waterfront stretch of Carroll and Bond Streets, with completion expected by fall 2025.
The larger of the two towers, located at 395 Carroll Street, will rise 23 stories and feature 425 apartments, along with nearly 29,000 square feet of commercial space—likely for retail—and a 48-car enclosed parking garage. Just across the street, 325 Bond Street (also known as 313 Bond Street) will rise 9 stories and house 179 apartments, along with close to 23,000 square feet of commercial space and a 44-car garage. Together, the two towers are transforming the waterfront stretch of Carroll and Bond Streets, with completion expected by fall 2025.
73 units | 14 stories
Developed by E&M Realty | Design by STUDIO V Architecture
Completion estimated for Fall 2025
Developed by E&M Realty | Design by STUDIO V Architecture
Completion estimated for Fall 2025
Currently under construction at 335 Bond Street, at the corner of Carroll Street, is a 14-story mixed-use residential building developed by E&M Realty and designed by STUDIO V Architecture. Rising 155 feet, the building will deliver 73 residential units, with an average unit size of 932 square feet. The development will also include 4,644 square feet of manufacturing space, 4,633 square feet of commercial space, and a 30-foot rear yard, bringing a well-rounded mix of uses to the evolving waterfront neighborhood.
The residential component will feature affordable housing, though the number of designated affordable units has yet to be confirmed. The affordable lottery is liekly to launch in the coming weeks. Titanium Construction Services is serving as the general contractor. A recent site visit shows much of its eye-catching facade has been installed, but the grand arched entryway at the corner remains shrouded.
The residential component will feature affordable housing, though the number of designated affordable units has yet to be confirmed. The affordable lottery is liekly to launch in the coming weeks. Titanium Construction Services is serving as the general contractor. A recent site visit shows much of its eye-catching facade has been installed, but the grand arched entryway at the corner remains shrouded.
335 Bond Street in April 2025
260 units | 14 stories
Developed by Tavros Holdings and Charney Companies | Design by Fogarty Finger Architecture
Completion estimated for 2025
Developed by Tavros Holdings and Charney Companies | Design by Fogarty Finger Architecture
Completion estimated for 2025
251 Douglass Street (Tavros Holdings)
Being developed by Tavros Holdings in partnership with Charney Companies. 251 Douglass Street is a 230,000-square-foot development designed by Fogarty Finger Architects. The 14-story project features 260 residential rental apartments, with ground floor retail. The project’s residential units will feature unique views with ample light and air derived from the 225 feet of frontage along Thomas Greene Park to the south, and the 100 feet of frontage along the Anabelle Selldorf-designed canalfront park to the west.
Cool features of 251 Douglass:
- 6,000-square-foot landscaped roof, fitness center, and basketball court invite relaxation and recreation
- Engage with neighbors in the resident lounge or unwind in the thoughtfully designed seating areas
- Your bike finds a secure spot in dedicated storage
Cool features of 251 Douglass:
- 6,000-square-foot landscaped roof, fitness center, and basketball court invite relaxation and recreation
- Engage with neighbors in the resident lounge or unwind in the thoughtfully designed seating areas
- Your bike finds a secure spot in dedicated storage
164 4th Avenue - 366 Douglass Street
224 units | 9 stories
Developed by JLL Capital Markets | Design by SBLM Architecture
Completion estimated Spring 2025
224 units | 9 stories
Developed by JLL Capital Markets | Design by SBLM Architecture
Completion estimated Spring 2025
Douglass Street Apartments (Housing Connect)
Douglass Street Apartments is a 17-story rental building that rose on the former site of a gas station and spans almost the entire block of 4th Avenue between Douglass and Degraw Streets. All 188 studio to two-bedroom units will feature oversized windows, high-end appliances and finishes, kitchens with dishwashers and electric stoves, and central heating an air conditioning. Amenities include virtual doorman service, a music practice room, coworking space, a lounge, and a rooftop terrace. An affordable housing lottery took place at the beginning of 2025, and a market-rate leasing launch cannot be far behind.
Cool features of Douglass Street Apartments:
- The gym comes with a separate yoga/dance studio
- Conveniences like virtual doorman service, package lockers, bike storage, and private storage streamline residential life
- Pets are welcome, and a pet-washing station means four-legged residents are catered to as well
Cool features of Douglass Street Apartments:
- The gym comes with a separate yoga/dance studio
- Conveniences like virtual doorman service, package lockers, bike storage, and private storage streamline residential life
- Pets are welcome, and a pet-washing station means four-legged residents are catered to as well
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Contributing Writer
Michelle Sinclair Colman
Michelle writes children's books and also writes articles about architecture, design and real estate. Those two passions came together in Michelle's first children's book, "Urban Babies Wear Black." Michelle has a Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota and a Master's degree in the Cities Program from the London School of Economics.
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