Bawabeh Holdings Plans 1.2M-SF Mixed-Use Project In East Flatbush

• Bawabeh Holdings proposes 972-unit mixed-use project in Brooklyn
• Development spans 1.2M square feet with retail, medical, and community space
• Up to 292 affordable units planned under Mandatory Inclusionary Housing

What The Project Brings To East Flatbush

A major mixed-use development is being proposed in East Flatbush that would transform a low-rise retail strip into a large-scale residential hub. Bawabeh Holdings is planning nearly 1,000 apartments across 31 lots along East 98th Street, replacing existing one-story commercial buildings with a much denser urban footprint.

What The Scale And Program Include

The project totals more than 1.2 million square feet, combining residential, retail, and community-focused uses into a single development plan. In addition to housing, the proposal includes significant retail space, medical offices, and a community facility, positioning the site as a mixed-use node rather than a standalone residential complex. The inclusion of affordable housing, estimated between 194 and 292 units, aligns with city requirements and helps move the project through the approval process.

What The Rezoning Process Means

The development requires rezoning through the city’s land use review process, as current zoning does not permit residential use. This places the project into the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, a key hurdle that will determine whether the plan can move forward. Recent policy changes may streamline approvals, particularly for projects that include affordable housing.

What The Timeline Suggests

If approved, the project would be built in phases over roughly 90 months, with full completion projected around 2035. That extended timeline reflects both the scale of the development and the complexity of assembling and redeveloping multiple lots in an active commercial corridor.

What The Site Transformation Looks Like

The current site includes about 152,000 square feet of retail, occupied by discount stores, grocery stores, and small neighborhood businesses. Redevelopment would replace these with a significantly larger, transit-adjacent mixed-use complex, marking a major shift in how the corridor is utilized.

What This Means For Investors And Developers

This proposal reflects a broader trend in New York City, where underutilized retail strips are being targeted for large-scale residential redevelopment. For investors, projects like this offer long-term upside tied to rezoning and density increases. However, execution risk remains high given the lengthy approval timeline and scale of development. For developers, it’s a signal that ambitious, multi-phase projects are still moving forward, especially when paired with affordable housing components.