Construction workers removed the scaffolding around the glass-and-steel construct on Avenue Z and East 17th Street this morning, signaling an end to almost two years of work.
Workers on the scene are now tearing up the sidewalks and preparing to pour new concrete. They say the sidewalk will be done within the next couple of days. With a few exceptions on the street level and on the roof, all exterior work appears to be complete, and the crew said the inside of the building was ready as well.
Still, there appears no sign from the building’s residential realtor – Corcoran Group – that they’ve started marketing the building. On the commercial side, the building’s representative, Massey Knakal Realty Services, said last month that they’re close to a deal with a group of local doctors for medical offices. The docs will take all the commercial units, which include a total of 15,700 square feet spread among the basement and first two floors.
Just a few years ago, the intersection at Avenue Z and East 17th Street was occupied by a gas station, a rather run-down garage, a parking lot, and a car wash/tobacconist. Just a block off of one of the area’s main stretches, it was a pretty dismal intersection. But now three low-rises have popped up, all with retail on the lower levels, and a much more interesting corner of Sheepshead Bay is taking shape.
Sure, the municpal parking lot is still there. And so are Platinum Car Wash and Brooklyn Cigars. But the last retail business tenant in the new constructions has announced itself: T&N Pharmacy is opening on the northwest corner. T&N joins Cappuccino on the Bay and Sylvan Learning Center in the low-rise. We revealed last month that the three floors of retail in the building on the opposite corner will be occupied by a group of local physicians. There are still a few openings in the low-rise down the block, on East 17th Street between Avenue Z and Jerome Avenue, but we’re confident they’ll fill up soon.
Whatever you think of development in Sheepshead Bay, and especially the appearance of these three low-rises, it’s still good to know that businesses are moving into the area and improving a previously blighted-appearing intersection.
The commercial units in the steel-and-glass building being constructed on Avenue Z and East 17th Street may soon be occupied by a group of local doctors for use as a medical center, said the building’s commercial realtor, Brian Hanson of Massey Knakal Realty Services.
A contract has not yet been signed, but Hanson said they’re very close to a deal. The unnamed doctors all have private practices in the area.
The commercial portion of the property includes the basement, ground floor, and second level, totaling more than 15,700 square feet. If all goes smoothly, Hanson expects to close the contract within three to six months.
Above the commercial portion stands 10 residential units on five floors. The residential section of the building is represented by The Corcoran Group, which has not yet started marketing the condos.
The Corcoran Group could not be reached for comment, but Hanson said he believed the condos are approximately 2,000 square feet each. Though he is not sure, Hanson said he believes Corcoran will start marketing the units after Labor Day. Because the Massey Knakal sign is the only one on the building, Hanson said he gets about five to seven calls a week regarding the properties, indicating high consumer interest.
Construction on the location started about a year and a half ago. No word yet on a completion date.
