The iconic Brooklyn Watchtower buildings could soon see new life after years of vacancy.
The Watchtower buildings served as the longtime headquarters of the Jehovah’s Witnesses up until a decade ago, known for their large, bright red “Watchtower” sign that now reads “Welcome.”
What You Need To Know
The city is considering rezoning the site of the Brookyn Watchtower buildings and adding 661 new housing units, 166 of which would be permanently affordable
The Watchtower buildings served as the longtime headquarters of the Jehovah’s Witnesses up until a decade ago
Some Brooklyn Heights residents say they’re worried the development will be too tall. Local elected officials say more housing is essential
But now, the city is considering rezoning the Brooklyn Heights property and adding 661 new housing units, 166 of which would be permanently affordable.
Some Brooklyn Heights residents say they’re worried the development will be too tall.
“They will be fundamentally different than anything we see right now in this neighborhood,” Brooklyn Heights resident Adam Drisen said.
“We have two very, very large, empty buildings that have been empty for a long, long time. They are no longer being used for commercial space, for manufacturing,” Drisen added. “Time has sort of passed that by. So, I am completely in support of those buildings being turned into housing. The question is, why should one increase the size of the building by, you know, 70%?”
That size increase is part of the proposal from developer CIM Group, which purchased the buildings in 2016, with plans to add five stories to one of the existing 12-story buildings and one floor to the other building.
“In the case of Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo, we’re talking about historical and very sensitive urban fabric, which can be fundamentally changed with one or two buildings that are really, really out of place,” Drisen said.
Local elected officials say more housing is essential.
“Whenever you’re adding to a building, or whenever a new building goes up, it impacts neighbors,” Brooklyn City Councilmember Lincoln Restler said. “But we are facing a housing crisis, we do need more housing, and every neighborhood across our district and across the city needs to do its part. So, I think we’ll be able to figure out a good solution here.”
A statement from the CIM Group says in part, “…We have been actively engaging local stakeholders and look forward to continuing that dialogue to deliver meaningful housing and economic benefits for the community.”
The official Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, or ULURP process, is expected to begin later this year and conclude sometime next year.