Two Trees’ Fort Greene rental has yet to debut long-promised cultural spaces

The high-end rental building developed by Two Trees at 300 Ashland Place has yet to debut the cultural spaces that were negotiated by the city for increased residential density at the site—but both the developer and the New York City Economic Development Corporation are working towards inking a deal that will give way to a long-anticipated branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, among other cultural spaces.

“NYCEDC is working diligently with the developer to finalize acquisition and transfer details of the property,” a rep for the city’s Economic Development Corporation told Brooklyn Paper. “We look forward to advancing this project and delivering a vibrant cultural facility that’s aligned with the community’s vision.”

The delayed cultural amenities came out of a rezoning deal that allowed Two Trees to develop the site with added residential density. In addition to the space for Brooklyn Public Library, the 50,000 square feet of cultural and public amenity space was also set aside for the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, arts group 651 Arts, and for four new screens for BAM Rose Cinemas.

Two Trees purchased the former parking lot site from EDC in 2013 for $16.5 million, and started renting the building’s 379 apartments in 2016. The building’s commercial component, Brooklyn’s second Apple Store and a 365 by Whole Foods Market, debuted in late 2017 and early 2018 respectively. The delay for the cultural spaces is due to “ongoing negotiations and a need to finalize terms of acquisition,” an EDC rep told Brooklyn Paper, saying that an agreement should be reached that will allow the spaces to move forward by the fall.

When a deal is reached, Two Trees will hand over the institutions’ completed core and shell space to the city. “Everyone is on the same page about the urgency of getting this cultural facility finally opened,” a Two Trees rep said.

A 15,000-square-foot public plaza surrounding the Enrique Norten-designed building officially debuted in June 2017.