The historic 94-year-old Flatbush Savings Bank building is being demolished, to be replaced by a new mixed-use building, Bklyner reports.
Demolition of the building, which sits adjacent to Kings Theatre at 1041-1049 Flatbush Avenue, was approved by the City on March 2 despite last minute attempts to save it by local advocacy group Respect Brooklyn.
The group called on the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to preserve the building, and received backing from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. However, they were too late, with the demolition permit allowing for destruction of the building.
Interior demolition of the building is already underway, representatives for building owner Nehalkumar Gandhi of 1045 Flatbush Avenue LLC told Bklyner. A representative said the building was in unsafe condition and demolition was already 60% done.
"Men are already at the site working on it," Anish Gandhi said. "I don't know the exact timeline yet."
The construction permits filed by Gandi, a well-known hotel developer, are for a new nine-story, mixed-use building, with the majority of the construction going towards commercial use. Plans show the building would include 39 hotel guest rooms, 23 apartments and space for an "ambulatory diagnostic/health rehabilitation" facility.
Respect Brooklyn's Henry Bobbins criticized the LPC for its delayed response to the group's landmarking request, and he lamented the lack of landmarked buildings in the area compared to other areas in the city.
"There is a clear imbalance of preservation and development that is leading to displacement and loss of valuable cultural and architectural character," he said.
