Earlier this week we predicted that Johnson Ave in East Williamsburg is very likely to dramatically change in the upcoming years as the underutilized industrial buildings allure developers with big ideas. 333 Johnson Ave was just purchased by a group of developers who plan on re-purposing the building as office and retail “creative community;” their plans include a production of artisanal food on the site.
Yesterday, a real estate website New York Yimby reported that permits were filed on May 13 to convert a nondescript, two-storey building on 599 Johnson Ave into a nightclub with a rooftop bar. According to the website, Kossar + Garry Architects are handling the design, and the owner is Jon Killkelly, doing business as Bushwack 9 LLC.
New York Nimby further expressed concerns whether the future nightclub will be able to obtain a liquor license for its operation as Community Board 1 has been shooting down any liquor license requests for bars and restaurants planning to open within the North Brooklyn’s Industrial Business Zone, which is “a several-mile-long stretch of properties near the waterfront that the city has kept low-rise and zoned only for manufacturing and commercial uses.” Nightclubs operate under cabaret license, approval process of which is very difficult and it includes local community board, the Fire Department and the Department of Buildings.
It seems that the journey to a nightclub at Johnson Ave is pretty long but the number of similar projects popping up in the area suggest that big changes are possible.
Will Johnson Ave turn into a Meatpacking District? Let us know what you think in the comments.
