Avdoo Moves Forward on Gowanus Rental Project After Demo at 601 Union Street

• Avdoo cleared the site for a new eight-story rental building
• Project spans nearly 40,000 square feet with planned retail space
• Property was acquired for $29.4 million in late 2024

What Avdoo is building in Gowanus

Demolition has officially wrapped at 601 Union Street in Gowanus, marking the next phase of a new multifamily development led by Avdoo. The developer is moving forward with plans for an eight-story residential building that will also include ground-floor retail. The project will rise on a nearly 40,000 square foot site bounded by Union Street, Sackett Street, and 3rd Avenue. While the total unit count has not been disclosed, the inclusion of retail points suggests a mixed-use strategy aimed at activating the streetscape. Avdoo acquired the property from S.J. Fuel Co. for $29.4 million in late 2024, signaling a long-term bet on Gowanus as a growing residential corridor.

What the design reveals about positioning

The building is being designed by Morris Adjmi Architects, known for blending modern construction with contextual urban design. Renderings show a structured, mid-rise asset with a clear separation between its base and upper levels. The first six stories will feature a rectangular mass clad in red brick with recessed windows. Above a setback with landscaped terraces, the top two floors will transition to a darker panel façade, giving the project a more contemporary finish. At street level, the development will include expansive retail frontage with floor-to-ceiling glass, along with a prominent residential entrance along 3rd Avenue. This layout suggests a focus on tenant experience and retail visibility, both key drivers of long-term asset value.

What this means for Gowanus multifamily demand

Gowanus continues to emerge as one of Brooklyn’s most active development zones, fueled by rezoning and an influx of new residential projects. Avdoo’s latest move reinforces the neighborhood’s transition from industrial use to a mixed-use residential hub. The site’s proximity to the Union Street R train station adds another layer of appeal, offering renters convenient access to other parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan. For landlords and investors, projects like this highlight a clear trend. Developers are targeting underutilized industrial parcels and converting them into income-producing multifamily assets with retail components.

What to watch as construction begins

Although demolition is complete, construction timelines remain unclear, with no official word on when excavation will begin. That said, the cleared site and installed construction fencing indicate movement toward the next phase. As more details emerge around unit mix and amenities, this project will offer better insight into how developers are underwriting rents and demand in Gowanus. For now, Avdoo’s investment underscores continued confidence in Brooklyn’s rental market, particularly in neighborhoods undergoing rapid transformation.