318 Avenue M
Brooklyn, NY 11230
CONFIDENTIAL OFFERING MEMORANDUM
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
NEIGHBORHOOD DESCRIPTION
Midwood is a neighborhood in the south central part of the New York City borough of Brooklyn
bounded on the north by the Bay Ridge Branch freight line tracks just above Avenue I
and Brooklyn College campus of the City University of New York, and on the south by Avenue
P and Kings Highway. The eastern border is Nostrand Avenue or Flatbush Avenue and Coney
Island Avenue, McDonald Avenue or Ocean Parkway to the west is the other boundary.
The name, Midwood, derives from the Dutch word, Midwout (middle woods), the name the
settlers of New Netherland called the area of dense woodland midway between the towns
of Boswyck (Bushwick) and Breuckelen (Brooklyn).
Later, it became part of old Flatbush, situated between the towns of Gravesend and Flatlands.
Many Midwood residents moved to the suburbs in the 1970s, and the neighborhood and its
commercial districts declined. Drawn by its quiet middle-class ambiance, new residents began
pouring into Midwood during the 1980s; many of them were recently landed immigrants from
all over the world. The largest group were from the Soviet Union, but substantial numbers also
arrived from Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico, Guyana, and elsewhere in South America; from Ireland,
Italy, Poland, the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), and elsewhere in eastern
Europe; and from Greece, Turkey, Israel, Syria, the Persian Gulf, Iran, Pakistan, India,
Bangladesh, China, and Korea. In a short time, Midwood was transformed, from a
predominantly Jewish neighborhood with a smattering of Irish-Americans and GermanAmericans, to a remarkably polyglot section of the borough of Brooklyn.
Many residents refer to Midwood as "Flatbush," or, erroneously, as being "part of Flatbush", an
older and more established neighborhood and former township, which in the 19th century
included modern Midwood. The usage of Flatbush to mean Midwood dates to the period when
the neighborhood was first formed, and known as South Greenfield.
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
NEIGHBORHOOD DESCRIPTION
Midwood offers a very large option of schools and colleges such as Brooklyn College,
Edward R. Murrow High School, Midwood High School, Shulamith School for Girls, Prospect
Park Yeshiva, Touro College, Yeshivah of Flatbush, Masores Bais Yakkov, Yeshiva Rabbi
Chaim Berlin, The Yeshiva of Brooklyn, The Wallerstein Yeshiva, Yeshiva and Mesivta Tiferes
Yisroel, an affiliate of the Chofetz Chaim Rabbinical Seminary of America, Mesores Bais Yakov
for girls, Torah Vadaas Yeshiva, Ahavas Torah Yeshiva, Bais Yakov of Brooklyn, Yeshivas Bais
Joseph Brooklyn (Adult Males).
The area is served by the New York City Subway’s BMT Brighton Line (B, Q trains), IND
Culver Line (F train), and the IRT Nostrand Avenue Line (2, 5 trains).
New York City Bus routes serving the community include the B2, B6, B7, B9, B11, B31, B41,
B44, B49, B68 and B82 local buses and the B44 SBS bus. MTA Bus company routes include
the B100 and B103 local buses and the BM2, BM3 and BM4 express buses.
The main shopping streets in the area are Kings Highway, Avenue J, Avenue M, Flatbush
Avenue, Nostrand Avenue, and Coney Island Avenue.
In the 1960s and the early 1970s, Nostrand Avenue between Avenues M and N was
considered one of New York's best streets for shopping by New York magazine. The street was
known for fashionable boutiques such as "Edna Nelkin's Jewelry," America's finest children's
wear boutique, "Greenstone's" (now located on both Columbus and Madison Avenues in
Manhattan), "Burton's", "Shirtland", and "The Shoe Box". As retailers retired, the street
changed and became known for its automobile showrooms, including Plaza Honda. A U.S.
Postal Service Facility can be found on Nostrand Ave. between Avenues I and J.
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
NEIGHBORHOOD DESCRIPTION
A branch of the Brooklyn Public Library can be found on the east side of Ocean Avenue just
south of Kings Highway.
There were two movie theaters on Kings Highway,
the "Kingsway", and the “Avalon” (which closed in
1982). Visitors to Kings Highway are amused by the
colored holiday-style lights that are strung across
above the street and feature a lighted gold "Kings
Crown" at a few intersections. Currently Kings
Highway is anchored by several chain stores, such
as Rite-Aid, Petland Discount, and TJ Maxx, and
multiple ethnic food stores. Unique businesses
include the ornate Amazon Caffe (kosher dairy),
Kings Games (the largest gaming center in New
York City), several high fashion outlets, jewelry
stores, and sushi restaurants.
Avenue M, the heart of Midwood, is the central location for kosher food and butchers. While in
the past it was home to Cookie's, one of Brooklyn's best known restaurants and hang-outs (also
popular with the NBC studio crowd), today there are no fewer than 9 kosher restaurants and 3
kosher bakeries. From the 1920s through the 1940s, the "Dorman Square Restaurant" was
popular with the Vitagraph studios crowd, as well as playing a role in a Vitagraph film or two.
One of Brooklyn's most legendary Italian restaurants, "Restaurant Bonaparte", also catered to
the actors and actresses working on Avenue M in the NBC studio at that time. Restaurant
Bonaparte was known for its "Three Musketeers". It also had a wishing well fountain in its lobby
entrance, filled with customers' coins. The Avenue has an elevated subway station. Until the
1970s, Avenue M had its own movie theater, The Century "Elm" (later an Emigrant Savings
Bank branch, now a branch of Apple Bank for Savings). Near the end of June each year, the
Midwood Development Corporation hosts the popular Midwood Mardi Gras Street Fair along The
Avenue, from East 12th St. to Ocean Avenue. Shoppers can find a municipal muni-meter parking
lot on East 17th Street at Chestnut Ave. just north of Avenue M. Many of the retail businesses
are closed on the Jewish Sabbath and Higher Holy Days. Notable exceptions are 7–11, Pete's
Pizza, Dunkin' Donuts, Chock Full O' Nuts, as well as some other non-Jewish-owned
establishments like Chinese restaurants, Russian bakeries, grocers, fruit markets and
newsstands.
Avenue J is a low-key commercial strip, with many kosher restaurants, deli, pizzerias, and
butchers. Di Fara Pizza (at E. 15th St.) was cited by the 2008 Zagat Survey as "The Best Pizza
in NYC." Others specialize more narrowly, such as one bakery concentrating on Russian bread.
Ostrovitsky's Bakery sells gourmet cookies and cakes. A number of large fruit grocers such as
Fruit Palace and Blue Ribbon offer high quality produce at competitive prices.
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
NEIGHBORHOOD DESCRIPTION
A large selection of exotic dried fruits and nuts can be found at "Oh Nuts!“. A branch of
the Brooklyn Public Library can be found on E. 16th. St. just north of Avenue J. The
avenue had its own movie theater simply named the "Midwood" Theater (closed in the
early 1980s). But Avenue J can also be hectic during weekdays, with much foot and
vehicle traffic, and finding a parking spot is a big problem. Many of the retail businesses
are closed on the Jewish Sabbath and Higher Holy Days. Notable exceptions are
Walgreens, Associated Supermarkets, and grocers and newsstands serving the Muslim
community.
On Coney Island Avenue in Midwood, primarily between Avenue H and Avenue P, are the
U.S. Postal Service Midwood station, The "Kent Triplex Movie Theater", and other
assorted retailers. Between Avenue O and Quentin Road are Turkish restaurants and a
hookah bar. Near Avenue L what was believed to be the largest all-kosher supermarket
in the United States opened in August 2008. The 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2)
Pomegranate was "also hoping to lure customers who don't keep kosher with its array of
organic meats and chemical-free produce.
Parks consist of Kolbert Park and the Rachel Haber Cohen Playground and adjacent
handball and basketball courts near Edward R. Murrow High School, and the track and
playing fields of Brooklyn College and Midwood High School. Local boys often play
basketball during lunch breaks at Kolbert Park. Kolbert is also very popular with many
male Seniors who can be seen heavily engaged in daily board games such as Chess.
Long-time and past residents alike still refer to Kolbert Park as simply "Avenue L Park."
Another park is "Friends Field" at East Second Street and Avenue L. "Friends Field"
features Baseball Diamonds and Tennis Courts. Just opposite Friends Field along
McDonald Avenue is the Erasmus Hall High School Football Field (Closed to the public
when not in use). The Sprawling Square block-long Midwood High School Field features
handball courts, tennis courts, a runners track and a field used for football, rugby and
soccer. It is quite visible to passengers on the adjacent BMT Subway line. NYPD-FDNY
Charity Sporting Games, as well as NY-based Daytime TV "Soap Opera" Cast Baseball
Games are often held there- (The studios used for CBS TV's "As The World Turns" is
nearby). Annual NYC Public School JV Varsity Football Championship and Playoff
Games are held there as well.
There are two popular public pedestrian "rest" spots within the community. The first is
'Corporal Wiltshire Square', named in Honor of Corporal Clifford T. Wiltshire, located at
the intersection of Ocean Avenue where it merges with Avenue P and Kings Highway.
The other is 'Sgt. Joyce Kilmer Triangle', located at the crossroads of Kings Highway and
Quentin Road (E. 12th–13th Streets), so named in honor of American journalist and poet
Sgt. Joyce Kilmer (1866–1918).
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
LOCATION AND TAX MAP
318 Avenue M
Brooklyn, NY 11230
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
Block 6566
Lot
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AREA MAP
318 Avenue M
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
SCHOOL MAP
318 Avenue M
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
SCHOOL MAP
P.S. 226 Alfred De B.Mason (K226)
6006 23 Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11204
718-234-4940
Grades: PK, 0K, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07,
08, SE
District: 21
Distance: 0.35mi
Barkai Foundation (KABN)
5302 21 Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11204
718-998-7473
Grades: PK
District: 21
Distance: 0.59mi
James Madison High School (K425)
3787 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11229
718-758-7200
Grades: 09, 10, 11, 12, SE
District: 22
Distance: 1.77mi
P.S. 099 Isaac Asimov (K099)
1120 East 10 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-338-9201
Grades: PK, 0K, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07,
08, SE
District: 21
Distance: 0.61mi
Yeled V'Yalda 1200 (KBXU)
1200 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-514-8928
Grades: PK
District: 21
Distance: 0.29mi
P.S. 226 Alfred De B. Mason (K226)
6006 23 Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11204
718-234-4940
Grades: PK, 0K, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07,
08, SE
District: 21
Distance: 0.35mi
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
P.S. 199 Frederick Wachtel (K199)
1100 Elm Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-339-1422
Grades: PK, 0K, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, SE
District: 21
Distance: 0.62mi
Yeshiva Ohr Shraga (KAOV)
1102 Avenue L, Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-252-7777
Grades: PK
District: 21
Distance: 0.63mi
SCHOOL MAP
Bet Yaakov Ohr Sarah (KBAW)
1123 Avenue N, Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-627-8758
Grades: PK
District: 21
Distance: 0.66mi
Bais Yaakov Academy (Elm) (KABF)
1213 Elm Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-339-4747
Grades: PK
District: 21
Distance: 0.69mi
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
P.S. 121 Nelson A. Rockefeller (K121)
5301 20 Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11204
718-377-8845
Grades: PK, 0K, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06,
07, 08, SE
District: 21
Distance: 0.73mi
P.S. 177 The Marlboro (K177)
346 Avenue P, Brooklyn, NY 11204
718-375-9506
Grades: PK, 0K, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, SE
District: 21
Distance: 0.77mi
SUBWAY MAP
318 Avenue M
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
BUS MAP
318 Avenue M
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
ZONING INFORMATION
New York City’s zoning regulates permitted uses of the property; the size of the
building allowed in relation to the size of the lot (“floor to area ratio”); required open
space on the lot, the number of dwelling units permitted; the distance between the
building and the street; the distance between the building and the lot line; and the
amount of parking required. The commercial district has eight different classifications.
The manufacturing district has three different classifications. The residential district
has ten different classifications.
318 Avenue M is zoned C1-4/ R6A/ OP
318 Avenue M
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
ZONING INFORMATION
Excerpt From Department of City Planning
What is an C1/ C2 Zoning District?
C1-1 through C1-5 and C2-1 through C2-5 districts are commercial overlays
mapped within residence districts. Mapped along streets that serve local retail
needs, they are found extensively throughout the city’s lower- and mediumdensity areas and occasionally in higher-density districts.
Typical retail uses include neighborhood grocery stores, restaurants and
beauty parlors. C2 districts permit a slightly wider range of uses, such as
funeral homes and repair services. In mixed buildings, commercial uses are
limited to one or two floors and must always be located below the residential
use.
When commercial overlays are mapped in R1 through R5 districts, the
maximum commercial floor area ratio (FAR) is 1.0; when mapped in R6
through R10 districts, the maximum commercial FAR is 2.0. Commercial
buildings are subject to commercial bulk rules.
Overlay districts differ from other commercial districts in that residential bulk
is governed by the residence district within which the overlay is mapped. All
other commercial districts that permit residential use are assigned a specific
residential district equivalent. Unless otherwise indicated on the zoning maps,
the depth of overlay districts ranges from 100 to 200 feet.
Generally, the lower the numerical suffix, the more off-street parking is
required. For example, in C1-1 districts, typically mapped in outlying areas of
the city, a large food store would require one parking space for every 100
square feet of floor area, whereas no parking is required in C1-5 districts,
which are well served by mass transit.
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
ZONING INFORMATION
Excerpt From Department of City Planning
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
ZONING INFORMATION
Excerpt From Department of City Planning
What is an R6A Zoning District?
R6A is a contextual district where the Quality Housing bulk regulations are
mandatory. These regulations produce high lot coverage, six- or seven-story
apartment buildings set at or near the street line. Designed to be compatible
with older buildings found in medium-density neighborhoods, R6A districts
are mapped in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. Parts of Kingsbridge in the
Bronx and Williamsburg in Brooklyn are typical R6A areas.
The floor area ratio (FAR) in R6A districts is 3.0. Above a maximum base
height of 60 feet, the building must set back by at least 10 feet on a wide
street and 15 feet on a narrow street before rising to its maximum height of 70
feet. To preserve the traditional streetscape, the street wall of a new building
can be no closer to the street line than any building within 150 feet on the
same block, but need not be farther than 15 feet. The area between a
building’s street wall and the street line must be planted. R6A buildings must
have interior amenities for the residents pursuant to the Quality Housing
Program. Off-street parking, which is not allowed in front of a building, is
required for 50% of a building’s dwelling units, or can be waived if five or
fewer spaces are required.
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
ZONING INFORMATION
Excerpt From Department of City Planning
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
TAXING INFORMATION
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
TAXING INFORMATION
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
TAXING INFORMATION
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS INFORMATION
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318 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY 11230