Riverside Development Begins Excavation for 74-Unit Mixed-Use Building in Kensington

• Excavation is underway at 545 Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn's Kensington neighborhood for a seven-story mixed-use rental building.
• The project will deliver 74 rental apartments, 3,627 square feet of commercial space, and 37 enclosed parking spaces.
• The site is also undergoing a state-supervised environmental cleanup through New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program before construction moves above ground.

What Is Being Built at 545 Coney Island Avenue

Construction activity is picking up at 545 Coney Island Avenue, where excavation crews are preparing the site for a new seven-story mixed-use development in Kensington, Brooklyn. The project, designed by Daniel Condatore and developed by Riverside Developers under 545 Coney Island LLC, will rise 70 feet and encompass approximately 51,026 square feet. Once completed, the building will feature 74 rental apartments averaging 640 square feet, along with 3,627 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, a cellar, and 37 enclosed parking spaces. The property sits between Webster Avenue and Newkirk Avenue, providing convenient access to several nearby subway lines.

What Has Changed Since the Project Was Announced

The development has made significant progress since permits were first filed in 2022. At that time, the site was occupied by a mix of older commercial buildings, including a two-story warehouse, an auto repair garage, and a neighborhood convenience store. Demolition wrapped up in 2024, allowing crews to begin excavation across the 0.44-acre property. The project represents another step in the continued redevelopment of Kensington, where older low-rise commercial properties are increasingly being replaced with new residential buildings that add much-needed housing while incorporating neighborhood retail.

What the Environmental Cleanup Means for Construction

Excavation at the site is serving a dual purpose. In addition to preparing the foundation for the new building, the property is undergoing remediation through New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program because it was previously occupied by the Former New City Link Auto Repair facility. According to state filings, crews will excavate contaminated soil to roughly 15 feet below grade, remove impacted material from the site, treat petroleum-related groundwater contamination, and install a vapor mitigation system beneath the future building. Completing the cleanup before vertical construction begins will help prepare the property for long-term residential use.

What This Project Means for Kensington

The development adds another mid-sized rental building to Brooklyn's growing housing pipeline as developers continue investing in neighborhoods with strong transit access. Future residents will be within walking distance of the Church Avenue F and G subway station as well as the Beverley Road Q station, making commuting throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan more convenient. As excavation continues, the project moves one step closer to delivering new housing and commercial space while transforming a formerly underutilized industrial property into a modern mixed-use development.