Atlantic Avenue West of Barclays Center Transforms from Retail Wasteland into Bastion of Posh Shops
A New Era of Luxury Retail
Atlantic Avenue west of Barclays Center – once known for Arab food shops, antiques discounters, and too many empty storefronts – has become the hot new kid on the block in Brooklyn retail. It isn’t nearly as pricey as Williamsburg’s Bedford Avenue and North Sixth Street, where global brands abound. But its growing mystique as a fashion-and-design nexus has put it on the map for neighborhood-focused merchants and shoppers alike.
From Blight to Bright
“Atlantic has come a long way on the retail front, from new national tenants to well-designed cocktail lounges to upscale boutiques and now, health and beauty services have planted their flags, too,” said RIPCO vice-president Alex Beard.
A New Level of Luxury
Atlantic Avenue has become Brooklyn’s version of Madison Avenue, according to Jordan Barowitz, an Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District board member. “Not a Brooklyn replication of Madison Avenue – Williamsburg has that covered with Chanel and Hermes – but a bastion of luxury retailers with a distinct Brooklyn identity.”
Rents: A Key Factor
Part of the appeal for merchants is that rents on Atlantic Avenue between Barclays and the BQE barely touch $100 per square foot on the west end. Those rents ramp down into the mid-$70s per square foot between Court and Bond streets, and dip to as low as the $50s near Flatbush Avenue. Even the highest rent is less than half of what landlords command in Williamsburg, Dumbo, and sections of Flatbush Avenue.
A Shopper’s Paradise
The result has been a vacancy rate of 11.8%, down from 15.1% before the pandemic, according to the Atlantic Avenue BID, which covers the stretch west of Barclays. That’s better than the current 15% vacancy rate on well-heeled Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights.
The Perfect Balance
Atlantic Avenue has become the sweet spot between nascent trendiness and full-scale gentrification, according to Barowitz. “What makes (the shop owners) unique is that not only are they ‘makers’ of their own lines, but many of them do manufacturing on site, creating an experiential retail experience.”
A Shopper’s Experience
The wide, often windy avenue lined mostly by low-rise buildings and a few larger ones under construction isn’t scenic. But one improvement promoted by the BID made it much more shopper-friendly: four midblock traffic signals now break up the long blocks, making it easier to cross the avenue for an interesting-looking place on the other side.
A Homegrown Feel
Pile’s home-decor shop Collier West opened in 2008. She launched two satellite stores next door. “The metamorphosis went from kind of scary to getting a little better each year,” Pile told Realty Check.
The Future of Retail
The block between Hoyt and Bond streets is the glam heart of the avenue’s transformation, where more than a dozen fashion shops and design galleries are clustered. Four new ones, including pottery purveyor East Fork and “beautiful things for beautiful homes” shop Porta, opened in November.
A Conclusion
Atlantic Avenue west of Barclays Center has transformed from a retail wasteland into a bastion of posh shops, offering a unique blend of high-end fashion, design, and local charm. With its affordable rents, diverse range of independent retailers, and strong community spirit, it has become a must-visit destination for shoppers seeking a curated experience that’s uniquely Brooklyn.
Frequently Asked Questions
* What has driven the transformation of Atlantic Avenue west of Barclays Center?
Rents: Affordability has been a key factor, with prices significantly lower than in other trendy areas of Brooklyn.
* What kind of shops can be found on Atlantic Avenue?
Fashion shops, design galleries, boutiques, and more, offering a unique blend of high-end fashion and local charm.
* How has the area changed since the pandemic?
The vacancy rate has decreased, and the area has seen an increase in new shops and restaurants opening.
* What’s the atmosphere like on Atlantic Avenue?
The area has a distinct Brooklyn identity, with a mix of old and new, from long-time businesses to new arrivals.
