The city has broken ground for Caton Flats, a mixed-use affordable apartment development in Flatbush that will include a revived Flatbush Canton market.
The 20-year-old market is home to a slew of Caribbean merchants who have been operating from a temporary location on Clarendon Road while building out the future space.
“We’re thrilled to break ground on Caton Flats, a project that promises to bolster and revitalize the Flatbush community,” said James Patchett, President and CEO of NYCEDC.
“Caton Flats will provide affordable housing, community space and a new Flatbush Caton Market for all to enjoy. We thank our partner agencies, local elected officials, community stakeholders and development partners for their support and collaboration to deliver this project to the Flatbush community.”
BRP Companies is developing the property, which will contain 255 affordable apartments, 20,000 s/f of community space, 10,000 s/f dedicated to local retail and a permanent home for the market. The 14-story building will also include space for small business incubators and offices and 5,000 s/f of supplemental community space to be owned and operated by Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI)The residential units will range from studios to three-bedroom apartments and will be 100 percent affordable to a range of incomes from very low-income to middle-income households.
“Caton Flats is an example of what can be achieved when real estate development is custom-tailored to the needs and culture of the local community,” said Meredith Marshall, co-founder and managing partner of BRP Companies.
“This project is a true partnership between many community groups and local leaders, connected in their commitment to serving the Flatbush community, and we’re so excited to bring it to fruition.”
The groundbreaking is part of the redevelopment of the Caton Flats, formerly known as Flatbush Caton Market, which began in 2001.
An ngoing collaboration and partnership between NYCEDC, BRP Companies, CACCI and Urbane will focus on training and business development programs for local enterprise vendors, enhancing overall operations of the Caton Flats multi-use facility.
Urbane Development took over management of Flatbush Caton Market in fall 2017 and will continue to support vendors through the transition.
“Our vision is to position Flatbush Caton Market as the definitive destination for Caribbean commerce, entertainment, and culture in New York City. Our market program introduces food, fashion, art, and personal care products and services that leverage the vibrancy of the Caribbean community with a world-class retail destination in the heart of Flatbush,” said James Johnson-Piett, CEO and Principal of Urbane Development.
Construction is estimated to be complete by 2021.
NYCEDC selected BRP Companies in 2015 through a competitive process to redevelop the city-owned Flatbush Caton Market. BRP Companies was the only respondent to offer a temporary location for the Flatbush Caton Market to operate during the construction period.
