From a former piano factory to luxurious condominiums.
Thus, the Rockwell Place development at 96 Rockwell Place, with another entrance at 55 Flatbush Avenue near Schermerhorn Street, is yet another project defining a new look and socioeconomic stratum for Downtown Brooklyn.
“We’re the crown jewel in the growing Downtown Brooklyn luxury housing market with an intimate boutique environment,” said Shelly Wasserman, sales manager for the property, which is owned by Integrated Capital and being marketed by the Halstead Properties.
Wasserman said sales have been brisk and 63 percent — 23 of the building’s 36 units — have already been built.
The units include studios starting at $495,000, one-bedrooms starting at $495,000 and two-bedrooms starting at $880,000.
Wasserman said some of the units are combinable and all feature loft-size living spaces, seven-foot windows and 10-12 foot ceilings.
Amenities include a common bicycle room, a fitness center, refrigerated storage for Fresh Direct, individual storage facilities, an attended lobby, video Intercom and tax abatements.
Originally built in 1908 as a piano factory, the developers added on 6 floors with setbacks including two one-bedroom penthouses with terraces, both of which have already been sold.
Wasserman did not discloses the selling price on the penthouses.
The building was once zoned for commercial use, but has become residential thanks to the massive 2004 Downtown Brooklyn rezoning plan.
The development also includes one one-bedroom unit of affordable housing.
Community Board 2 District Manager Rob Perris said the developers went before the community board previously and the one affordable unit was added in order to maximize the development potential of the site.
“In certain zoning districts you get four additional square feet of development rights for every square foot of affordable housing constructed,” said Perris.
“Neither the developer or HPD [Department of Housing and Preservation Development] has notified us as to what the sales price would be for the affordable unit,” he added.
Wasserman said renovations and occupancy of the building are expected in October or November of this year.
