- 95-acrehistoric Brooklyn Army Terminal complex
- $448 milliondirected by the NYCEDC toward new industrial space at BAT
- 96 percentoccupancy rate across the activated footprint
- $405 millionongoing investment at MADE Bush Terminal
The crown jewels of Brooklyn's industrial retention strategy are its publicly owned and managed industrial campuses, most notably the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) and the MADE Bush Terminal, both located in the Sunset Park neighborhood. Public ownership allows the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to curate tenancy and insulate businesses from the extreme volatility of the private commercial real estate market.2,17
The Brooklyn Army Terminal, a historic 95-acre warehouse complex originally designed by Cass Gilbert during World War I, has been systematically rehabilitated into a modern industrial hub spanning 59 functional acres. The campus offers extreme architectural flexibility, providing floorplates that scale from 1,500 square-foot suites designed for micro-enterprises to massive 200,000 square-foot layouts for anchor tenants. Recent capital infusions underscore the city's commitment to this infrastructure. The NYCEDC has directed $448 million toward creating nearly 479,000 square feet of new industrial space at BAT, achieving a 96 percent occupancy rate across its activated footprint. In 2024 alone, BAT saw 47,000 square feet in new leases signed and 148,000 square feet in lease renewals.2,17,18
To comprehend the sheer scale and logistical capacity of the Brooklyn Army Terminal, it is necessary to examine its spatial offerings. The facility is divided into multiple primary structures, including Building A, Building B, and the Annex, offering 24/7 access, fenced lots, heavy floor loads, and direct waterfront access.17
| Structure / Location | Available Square Footage (RSF) | Zoning / Use Case | Lease Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annex Building | 1,476 to 6,710 SF suites | Light Industrial / Shell Space | 5-10 Years |
| Building A - Lower Level Docks | 11,234 to 57,136 SF (Dock 1, 3, 4, 5, 6) | Heavy Industrial / Logistics | 5-10 Years |
| Building A - Upper Floors | 1,283 to 21,606 SF | Advanced Manufacturing / Prototyping | 5-10 Years |
| Building A - Large Configurations | 92,180 SF (Unit 7W, 8N, L1-B) | Anchor Tenant Manufacturing | 5-10 Years |
| Building B - Mid-Size Suites | 3,327 to 25,320 SF | Flex Space / Industrial | 5-10 Years |
| Building B - Mega-Floorplates | 40,709 to 50,800 SF | Large-scale Production | 5-10 Years |
| Building B - Combined Units | 243,748 SF (Units 2A, 2B, 2E, etc.) | Institutional / Mega-Anchor | 5-10 Years |
Adjacent to BAT is the 36-acre Bush Terminal Campus, now rebranded as MADE Bush Terminal. Here, the NYCEDC is executing an ongoing $405 million investment strategy to deliver 295,000 square feet of new industrial space, 10 acres of public open space, and resilient waterfront improvements. Approximately 170,000 square feet have already been delivered, catering heavily to the garment manufacturing sector and film production. Furthermore, the nearby Brooklyn Wholesale Meat Market maintains over 200,000 square feet of processing, cold storage, and distribution space, operating at 100 percent tenancy and anchoring the borough's food supply chain.16,18
The redevelopment of these spaces integrates sustainability with industrial growth. The Sunset Park Solar project, a partnership with UPROSE and Working Power, involves the installation of a 40,000-square-foot solar array on the roof of BAT's Building B. This initiative brings clean, affordable solar energy directly to Sunset Park residents and businesses, bridging the gap between Brooklyn's blue-collar legacy and its future as a testing ground for urban climate resilience.18,20
