Have questions about buying, selling, or leasing commercial property in Brooklyn? Explore answers about property types, zoning, due diligence, and more.
We represent owners, investors, developers, landlords, tenants, and owner-users in the sale and leasing of warehouses, industrial buildings, factories, vacant land, development sites, retail spaces, mixed-use properties, parking facilities, and other commercial assets.
Our Brooklyn coverage includes areas such as Bushwick, East Williamsburg, Greenpoint, East New York, Canarsie, Gowanus, Red Hook, Sunset Park, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Look beyond the total square footage. Important factors include ceiling height, column spacing, loading access, drive-in gates, power capacity, heating and ventilation, office space, parking, truck access, and the building’s overall condition.
You should also confirm that the zoning and Certificate of Occupancy permit your intended operation. A Certificate of Occupancy identifies how a New York City building may legally be used.
The right location depends on the business. Bushwick and East Williamsburg may work well for light manufacturing, creative production, workshops, and smaller distribution users, while areas such as East New York, Canarsie, Sunset Park, Red Hook, and Gowanus may offer larger industrial buildings, yards, loading areas, or access to major transportation routes. Individual blocks can differ significantly, so every site should be evaluated on its own merits.
Zoning determines what can be built, the uses that may be permitted, and how much floor area may be developed.
Buyers should review the zoning district, allowable floor area ratio, commercial or manufacturing uses, height and setback rules, parking requirements, and any overlays or special districts. Manufacturing districts can permit a broad range of industrial and commercial activities, but residential development is not allowed in every manufacturing district.
The property must support both the company’s current operations and its likely future needs. Consider usable floor area, loading, power, clear ceiling height, storage, office space, employee access, parking, delivery routes, and room for expansion.
An attractive price does not compensate for a building that requires major alterations before the business can legally or efficiently operate there.
Review each residential and commercial unit separately. Due diligence should include the rent roll, leases, payment history, operating expenses, utility arrangements, building systems, violations, legal occupancy, and any regulated residential units.
Buyers should also consider how the commercial tenant’s hours, noise, ventilation, and delivery needs interact with the residential portion of the building.
Useful documents include current leases, amendments, rent rolls, income and expense statements, tax bills, surveys, environmental reports, building plans, permits, Certificates of Occupancy, violation records, utility information, and records of major improvements.
Organizing these materials early helps buyers evaluate the property and can reduce delays once an offer is accepted.
The rent is only one part of the agreement. Tenants and landlords should carefully review the permitted use, lease term, renewal options, rent increases, property taxes, insurance, maintenance obligations, utilities, repairs, build-out responsibilities, personal guarantees, assignment rights, and restoration requirements. The intended use should also be confirmed before the lease is signed.
It can. Buyers should check the flood zone for the specific tax lot and investigate prior flooding, drainage, building elevation, mechanical equipment placement, insurance requirements, and possible resilience improvements.
New York City provides address-level resources for researching flood risk, but conditions can vary from one property to the next.
A commercial broker can identify the property’s most likely users, determine which features create value, review comparable transactions, prepare the offering materials, and market the property directly to relevant buyers or tenants.
Knickerbocker Realty Group also advises owners on positioning, leasing strategy, and practical improvements that may make a property easier to sell or lease.