IMC Architecture has completed a complex rezoning process for a 48,300-square foot development site at 1720 Atlantic Avenue, for owner Bawabeh Realty Holdings. The new zoning allows for development of a 360,000sf mixed-use residential/retail tower. Rendering by IMC Architecture

360,000-square foot mixed-use residential/retail tower planned for the 48,300-square foot site.

Brooklyn, NY–IMC Architecture has completed a complex rezoning process for a 48,300-square foot development site at 1720 Atlantic Avenue, for owner Bawabeh Realty Holdings. 

“The 1720 Atlantic Avenue site, which we originally acquired more than 25 years ago, is located at the cross section of popular and rapidly developing Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights neighborhoods. The former zoning didn’t allow us to achieve the property’s full potential, severely limiting the allowed building size to the current one-story retail strip mall,” said Bawabeh Realty Holdings Partner Soly D. Bawabeh. “The existing structure will be replaced with a 360,000-square foot mixed-use multifamily rental/retail building, designed by IMC Architecture. The retail tenants will potentially include a supermarket that would serve the local community.”

According to IMC Architecture Principal Jonathan Imani, AIA, “The five-year rezoning application utilized New York City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure – or ULURP – a mandatory, multi-step process for approving changes to land use, involving reviews and approvals by a local community board, borough president, the City Planning Commission and the City Council. We have successfully changed the zoning classification from M1-1, which allowed for FAR (floor area ratio, which defines a maximum allowed building size) of only 1, to a mixed zoning of C4-4D and R7A, with a partial C2-4 overlay, allowing for FAR of between 5.01 to 7.2.”

The former M1-1 zoning category allowed for light industrial, low-density use throughout the entire lot. The previous FAR of 1 permitted the maximum size of a building on the site to reach only the size of the site, in practical terms limiting it to a one-story structure, which currently occupies the property. 

The revised zoning varies throughout the site. The new C4-4D zoning category of mixed-use, including residential, high-density use offers FAR of 7.2 on the 27,000-square foot northern section of the site, delineated by 270 feet fronting Atlantic Avenue and 100 feet of frontage on Schenectady Avenue. The R7A zoning in the eastern section, defined by Schenectady Avenue and Pacific Street (also known as Micheal Griffith Street), allows for medium-density residential use with FAR of 5.01, with a partial, 10,000-square foot C2-4 mixed-use zoning category overlay in the southeast corner that also allows for FR of 5.01. The reminder of the site features the R7A residential zoning and FAR of 5.01. 

“Once the design process proceeds beyond the current conceptual stage, the architectural team will visually break up the massing of the structure by creating a variety of scales and façade treatments,” shared IMC Project Manager Charlie Wu. “The current preliminary design of the new building calls for approximately 300 rental residential units, including an affordable component. The building’s height will vary from 11 to 13 stories to comply with zoning-dictated FAR limits throughout the site. At this time, the property is expected to house retail and community facilities on the street level and multiple tenant amenities and shared spaces, such as outdoor terraces, a gym, storage and lounge.”

The project team also included government affairs consultant Brian Cook from Brown & Weinraub and attorney Jay Goldstein, Esq. of The Law Office of Jay Goldstein.

IMC Architecture

Three principals established IMC in 2015, following accomplished careers at leading regional and national firms: Eugene Mekhtiyev, AIA, LEED GA; Jonathan Imani, AIA, NCARB; and Dominick Casale, AIA, NCARB. Working mainly in the highly regulated urban environments of New York City and the greater New York area, the founders believe compliance and creativity aren’t mutually exclusive. In addition to architectural work, the firm offers interior design services. www.imcarchitecture.com.

Known for quality design, contemporary aesthetic, technical acumen and zoning expertise, the firm works predominantly in the multi-family, education, commercial, workplace, healthcare, worship, retail and hospitality markets. IMC has designed some of the most prominent recent projects in New York City and the greater New York area and is one of the pioneers of the modular design and construction technology in New York City and the surrounding region. In addition to design services, the firm also operates an affiliated zoning, expediting and permitting consultancy CORE Consultants.

The studio’s portfolio features nearly ten million square feet of architectural design and consulting projects, totaling in excess of $2 billion in construction value.

The firm’s multi-family design portfolio includes the 505-unit Tilyou Towers, 41-unit 550 Prospect Place, 82-unit The Carroll and 16-unit 701-703 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn; 155-unit 289-299 East 161^st Street, 21-unit 35 Kingston Avenue and 34,000-square foot Croton Residence in the Bronx, NY; 70-unit The Grand and 73-unit NewRo rental properties in New Rochelle, NY; and multiple upgrades to the 37-story, 807-unit 63-67 Wall Street rental property in Manhattan.

IMC’s educational, commercial and institutional work includes the $35 million, 69,000-square-foot Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School in the Bronx, NY; the Elm Charter School at 79-20 Queens Boulevard in Queens, NY; as well as 61,000-square-foot 556 Lots Avenue charter school, two Ascend Public Charter Schools at 1833 Nostrand Avenue and 2840 Atlantic Avenue, 90,000-square foot 15 Parkville Avenue medical office building, Olgam Life Plasma Donation Center at 78-15 Linden Boulevard, 36,500-square foot Center 15 medical services building, 20,000-square foot Spring Creek Towers property management office and 28,000-square foot Persian Congregation of Flatbush, all in Brooklyn, NY.