One of Greenpoint’s flashiest old party spots is on its way out. The long dormant Polonaise Terrace building at 144 Greenpoint Avenue, which later hosted the Brooklyn Bazaar, is now slated to be replaced by a mid rise apartment building, bringing about 60 new units to a busy stretch between Manhattan and Franklin avenues.
Developer Upsizes the Housing Play
According to Business Journals, Double U Development has filed plans for a seven story building at 144 Greenpoint Avenue with roughly 60 apartments. The outlet reports the developer paid about $9,000,000 for the site and brought on Building Studio Architects to design the project.
Earlier Filings Sketched a Smaller Project
Back in 2025, plans on file with the Department of Buildings showed a more modest approach, calling for a six story conversion with around 35 apartments and approximately 6,200 square feet of ground floor retail, according to The Real Deal. Around the same time, the Commercial Observer noted that Building Studio Architects partner John Field was listed on permit documents for the job.
Landmarks Rules Meet Neighborhood Skepticism
The site sits inside the Greenpoint Historic District, which means any change to the façade must be cleared by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The LPC previously reviewed designs for the Polonaise in 2023, Brownstoner reported. That hearing surfaced local worries that new proposals were too generic, a reminder that projects in this district tend to face close scrutiny on design details.
From Ballroom Glory to Bazaar Nights
The building dates to 1898 and spent decades as the Polonaise Terrace before closing as an event hall in 2013. The Brooklyn Bazaar moved in three years later and operated there from 2016 until its lease ended in 2019, according to The Real Deal. Since then, the ornate exterior has served mostly as a nostalgic backdrop, a reminder for longtime neighbors of weddings, concerts and crowded weekend nights that are no longer on the calendar.
What the Zoning Will Let Them Build
The lot is zoned C4 3A with a floor area ratio of roughly 3, a setup that allows a moderate height increase rather than a waterfront style high rise, according to an analysis by Greenpointers. That zoning envelope, combined with the LPC’s say over the exterior, will dictate how many stories the project can realistically reach and how the building will meet the sidewalk.
Approvals, Hearings and a Long Road Ahead
Business Journals reports that the proposal still needs to clear multiple city reviews, including Landmarks approval and likely appearances before Community Board 1, so shovels are not expected to hit the ground for months. The outlet also notes that Double U Development did not immediately respond to requests for comment, leaving preservation groups and neighborhood advocates to watch the public process closely as the application moves forward.
