The New York City Council has approved the 395 Flatbush Avenue Extension redevelopment project, advancing plans to transform an outdated commercial building on city-owned property in Downtown Brooklyn into a 72-story, mixed-use tower. Located in one of Brooklyn’s fastest-growing neighborhoods, the project will introduce 1,263 homes, 25 percent of which will be permanently affordable to low-income families. VHB played a key role in guiding the project through the complex land use and environmental review processes.
In addition to housing, the project will support neighborhood vitality and economic activity through ground-floor retail and 89,000 square feet of office space. Public realm improvements—including expanded sidewalks, a new open space, and improved subway station access—will enhance the streetscape and strengthen the area as a vibrant community hub.
The development leverages the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity framework, a landmark initiative designed to expand housing across New York City by modernizing zoning, eliminating exclusionary practices, and supporting mixed-use, transit-oriented neighborhoods. VHB lead the environmental review for City of Yes, enabling 395 Flatbush to become the first project in Brooklyn to take advantage of the new high-density zoning districts.
Working closely with the developer Rabina and its development partner Park Tower Group, as well as the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and City Hall, VHB guided the project through the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) process. The team prepared a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate potential environmental effects and supported the land use actions required to advance redevelopment of the site.
Through close coordination among the project team and city agencies, the EIS was published within eight months, and the full environmental review and public approval process was completed in under 15 months—demonstrating how strategic collaboration between public and private partners can efficiently advance complex urban development.
“This public-private partnership reflects how New York is rethinking the way it uses land to address the housing shortage,” said David Quart, Northeast Markets Lead, VHB. “By aligning policy, planning, and environmental review, the city is creating pathways for projects like 395 Flatbush to deliver meaningful housing supply and strengthen neighborhoods.”
With City Council approval secured, 395 Flatbush now enters its next phase, laying the groundwork for new homes, economic activity, and a more connected and resilient Downtown Brooklyn.
To learn more about VHB's affordable housing and mixed-use solutions across New York, contact David Quart today.
