Red Hook no Dead Hook

As Ikea’s long-awaited June 18 opening in Red Hook nears, many expect the quiet neighborhood to change dramatically. Developer Greg O’Connell, who owns about 1 million square feet of waterfront property, says he expects other developers to buy vacant spots on Van Brunt Street and create ground-level retail with apartments above. But many fear that Ikea will bring more big box retail with it, as well as condo towers. Joe Sitt, the developer who wants to transform Coney Island, owns the 6-acre former Revere Sugar Factory next to Ikea. He wants the city to rezone the waterfront so he can build condos and stores.