Two-story retail complex on Gravesend Bay peninsula will feature BJ’s Wholesale Club. On September 21, 2011, the City Council approved Thor Equities LLC’s proposal to build a two-story retail development at 1752 Shore Parkway in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn. The 1,200-foot long project will be located on a peninsula in Gravesend Bay adjacent to the Belt Parkway. The 214,000 sq.ft. complex will include a three-level, 690-space parking garage and a 103,000 sq.ft. public waterfront esplanade. Thor Equities plans to lease the property to BJ’s Wholesale Club, which will then develop the site. BJ’s plans to occupy the complex’s ground-floor space and lease the second-floor space to smaller retail tenants.

The site was zoned as an M3-1 manufacturing district, and existing nearby commercial uses operate pursuant to BSA variances. Thor Equities submitted multiple applications, including a request to rezone the peninsula to an M1-1 district and for a special permit to build a retail use in a manufacturing district.  (read more…)