This project proposes a new mixed-use multifamily development at 231 3rd Avenue in Gowanus, Brooklyn, designed to respond to the neighborhood’s ongoing transition from industrial district to vibrant mixed-use community. The proposal combines residential, community-oriented retail, and resident amenities within a compact urban building that takes advantage of recent zoning changes, Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, and the site’s redevelopment potential.

The design introduces 86 residential units in a mix of studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms, with 25% of the units designated as affordable under MIH at 60% AMI. The unit mix is intended to serve a range of residents, from young professionals to families, while shared terraces, workspace, and fitness amenities help create a more connected and livable residential environment.

At the ground floor, the project emphasizes community activation and neighborhood-serving uses, including a café, restaurant, gallery, and daycare, alongside a residential lobby. These uses were selected to reflect Gowanus’s creative identity, support local families, and strengthen the pedestrian experience along 3rd Avenue and the surrounding streets. A basement level accommodates parking, mechanical space, and a resident gym, made feasible in part by the site’s brownfield designation and associated tax credit opportunities.

From a development standpoint, the proposal is grounded in site, market, and financial analysis, positioning market-rate residential as the site’s highest and best use while integrating affordability and complementary commercial uses. The final concept aims to balance design quality, neighborhood context, and financial feasibility, presenting a development strategy tailored to Gowanus’s evolving character.