Mayor Eric Adams is looking to revamp Downtown Brooklyn's landscape by replacing what he calls one of the borough's "biggest eyesores," a city-owned office building at 395 Flatbush Ave., with a 72-story mixed-use tower. The project, as Mayor Adams highlighted during the Real Deal NYC Forum 2025, intends to create 1,200 units of new housing, aligning with his "City of Yes" initiative to stimulate housing growth across New York City. According to Gothamist, Adams described this move as part of the "future of housing in New York City."
The proposed tower is set to rise to a notable 840 feet, which would make it the second-tallest in the borough. The Adams administration promises that the development will include between 25% to 30% affordable housing units. With families earning between 60% and 80% of the area median income positioned to be eligible according to, the city's Housing and Preservation Development agency. Notably, the building would also cater to formerly homeless residents, as Gothamist reports an aide to Adams mentioning this particular provision.
Adams strongly stated that this would be the most housing-friendly administration in history, citing new city tax incentives and zoning changes under the City of Yes plan that should enable this project to move forward without the need for city funding to subsidize the affordable units. He highlighted the connection of this initiative to local infrastructure, envisioning a scenario where families could benefit from nearby amenities: "We're going to build 1,200 new units of high-density mixed-use housing," Adams said. "All on top of one of the biggest transit hubs in the city," as per statement obtained by BK Reader.
Josh Rabina, president and CEO of Rabina, noted the current building's lackluster condition and the potential for rejuvenation that the new development holds. "395 Flatbush will respond to the city’s urgent housing needs, while anticipating and supporting future growth by overhauling the public realm for the thousands of people that pass through every day," he told Gothamist. In addition, the project is expected to offer 66,000 square feet of retail space, another 75,000 square feet of commercial space, and 4,750 square feet of open space. Included in the overhaul, will be a transformation of the Dekalb Avenue subway entrance to better serve the community.
The next formal stage of the project is a public scoping hearing for the environmental review, scheduled for June 5. Community stakeholders and city planners are awaiting the results of this process as the plans for 395 Flatbush Ave. move forward.
