As Brooklyn's Gowanus district transforms from a former industrial area into a dynamic hub for living, working, and leisure, Charney Companies and Tavros are making a significant statement with the development of a residential campus. This campus comprises five buildings with thousands of mixed-use units, all within walking distance.
The latest addition to this project, known as Gowanus Wharf, is Douglass Port at 251 Douglass Street. The 15-storey property with 260 units, which saw its first residents move in at the beginning of June, offers more than just an attractive place to live. It creates a comprehensive community across several rental residential buildings, all sharing common amenities and providing a level of sophisticated features comparable to condominiums.
Community as a Central Element
Justin Pelsinger, Chief Operating Officer at Charney, explained the strategic distribution of amenities: “We recognised that we couldn't put all of our amenities in a single building.” He further elaborated that, for example, there is a rooftop pool at the Union Channel building and a basketball court at Douglass Port. Residents benefit from mutual use of these facilities, as the entire idea behind Gowanus Wharf is to make people feel part of a community.
This means that a resident who exercises on the Douglass Port basketball court can then walk to the Union Channel at 240 Third Avenue within five minutes to cool off in the rooftop pool – and vice versa. This principle applies to all amenities within the Gowanus Wharf campus.
Exclusive Features and Quality of Life
Specific amenities of the Douglass Port building include a rooftop lounge, BBQ grills, and impressive views of the Manhattan skyline, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. Another outdoor area is located on the third floor, adjacent to the gym, complemented by a co-working lounge and a children's playroom.
Douglass Port is currently approximately 20 percent leased. The remaining finishing works are expected to be completed in the coming weeks, as Pelsinger announced. Of the 260 units, 58 are designated as affordable housing under New York State's old 421-a tax programme. The market-rate units, ranging from studios to three-bedroom flats, cost between $3,400 and $4,750 per month. Each unit features ample natural light, plenty of storage space, and kitchen islands, which Pelsinger described as a “must-have”. The most appreciated feature in the flats is a spacious kitchen island, as people naturally gather and spend time there. This social aspect extends beyond the individual units.
All residents of the Gowanus Wharf Campus have access to the Gowanus Wharf App. This not only allows keyless access to the flats and the logging of service requests, such as maintenance or even dog walking, but also functions as a community hub that brings residents with shared interests together. Pelsinger emphasised that many community groups have emerged through this app, for example, a gardening, a football, and a fitness group, which promotes interaction among people.
- —Building: 15 storeys, 260 units
- —Affordable Housing: 58 units (421-a Programme)
- —Monthly Market Rent: $3,400 to $4,750
- —Occupancy Rate: approx. 20%
