Caton Flats

Caton Flats, a mixed-use, LEED Certified development located at the corner of Caton and Flatbush Avenues in Flatbush, Brooklyn, is the 2023 winner recognized by BRP Companies. This project introduces 255 new units of affordable housing, comprising studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, addressing a significant community need. In addition to residential units, the development includes 19,290 square feet of attended parking, 3,808 square feet of office space for the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), and 9,641 square feet of retail space across its cellar and ground levels. A key feature of the project is the redeveloped and expanded Flatbush Central Caribbean Marketplace, an integral part of the neighborhood's cultural fabric. The architectural design, a collaboration between Design Architect Freeform+Deform and Architect of Record Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP), emphasizes both aesthetic appeal and functionality. The building's ground floor features glassy storefronts that showcase businesses and activate the streetscape along two facades. The large massing of the building is thoughtfully broken into separate volumes, utilizing variations in material and color to create a more contextual and less imposing structure. Residential interiors are designed with open galley kitchens, high-quality fixtures and finishes, including interlocking wood floors and glossy kitchen cabinets, and a light, modern color palette. Fourteen private terraces are also incorporated, enhancing the living experience. The community impact of Caton Flats is multifaceted, starting with an amenity-rich living environment. The building boasts a grand, limestone-lined lobby featuring a "living greenwall" and a glazed stair, designed to encourage use. The presence of a LEED certification plaque highlights the building's commitment to sustainability. Apartments are designed with large windows to maximize natural light and offer views. A communal roof terrace on the 13th floor provides residents with panoramic views of Prospect Park and lower Manhattan. Additional resident amenities include a lounge on the 13th floor and a gym on the 2nd floor, which opens onto an adjacent rear yard terrace designed for outdoor activities like walking and yoga. The Flatbush Central Caribbean Marketplace, a cherished neighborhood institution, provides vendor spaces for selling goods that celebrate and support the area's rich Caribbean American culture. The interiors of this 13,814 square foot community space were designed by STUDIO 397 Architecture. It also incorporates the Mangrove shared commercial kitchen and design studio, which aims to support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color entrepreneurs by offering opportunities to develop skills and test creative ideas within the food, design, craft, and body care product industries. BRP Companies, a NY-based, certified MWBE real estate firm, is known for its commitment to quality, mixed-use, mixed-income, and energy-efficient developments. The firm offers a comprehensive range of services, including development, acquisition, construction, property management, and New Markets Tax Credits financing, with a substantial portfolio of completed, under construction, and pre-development projects. #AffordableHousing #MixedUseDevelopment #LEEDCertified #CommunityImpact #BrooklynRealEstate #UrbanPlanning #CaribbeanCulture #SustainableDesign #BRPCompanies #AffordableHousing #MixedUseDevelopment #LEEDCertified #CommunityImpact #BrooklynRealEstate #UrbanPlanning #CaribbeanCulture #SustainableDesign #BRPCompanies