RAL, Oliver’s Realty file plans for pair of Pier 6 resi buildings

RAL Development and partner Oliver’s Realty Group are moving forward with a controversial plan for construct two new residential buildings in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

ODA Architecture will be designing the pair of apartment buildings at 15 and 50 Bridge Park Drive near Pier 6, according to plans filed with the Department of Buildings on Saturday.

At 15 Bridge Park, plans call for a 16-story building spanning 145,419 square feet, with 140 residential units and two floors of retail. Amenities include an exercise room, studio and playroom. 50 Bridge Park Drive would rise 28 stories and have 126 units across 274,550 square feet, for an average of 2,178 square feet per unit. The first two floors include a fitness center, conference room and dog washing room, according to plans.

(Credit: ODA)

Renderings for the buildings were first released in June 2015 after Robert Levine’s RAL Development, together with Oliver’s Realty Group, were tapped by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation to develop the site. They had first targeted 440 units, but in the latest filings have pared down the total unit count to 266.

The proposed development, the subject of many protests by community groups, was at jeopardy in May when the Empire State Development Corporation [TRDataCustom] pulled its support for the project after learning that RAL contributed $10,000 to Campaign for One New York the year prior. The agency ultimately approved the plans a month later.

RAL and Oliver’s acquired the long term ground-lease for $106 million in 2015.

RAL Development converted the former Jehovah’s Witnesses warehouse at The Nearby 360 Furman Street to a pricey condo project known as One Brooklyn Bridge Park.

In July, a Brooklyn judge tossed out a second lawsuit brought by a community group to stop construction of Toll Brothers City Living and Starwood Capital’s Pierhouse development in Brooklyn Bridge Park. [NY YIMBY] — Chava Gourarie