Diagnostic Imaging Center To Occupy Top Floor Of Former Met Food Location On Smith Street

screenshot from Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology

Contrary to rumors that have been circulating in the community for quite a while now, T.J. Maxx is not moving into the brand new commercial building that rose on the former Met Foods site at 205 Smith Street (between Baltic and Warren Streets).

Retail real estate firm RKF has been marketing the space for the past few months. The listing describes Smith Street as 'one of "Brooklyn’s most desirable shopping destinations and Cobble Hill is one of the most affluent neighborhoods.'
(The building is actually located in Boerum Hill, not Cobble Hill.)

PMFA recently heard from a person in the know that the top floor has been rented.

The source writes:
The top floor will be the first Brooklyn location of Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology, a family owned diagnostic imaging center based out of Long Island.

The founder was Dr. Jerome Zwanger, who was born in Brooklyn and did his residency at Long Island College Hospital here in Cobble Hill. He was the assistant director of radiology there from 1952-1953, at which point he and his wife moved out to long island to start his private practice in 1953. The practice is now run by his daughter and son-in-law.
Zwanger-Pesiri is well regarded for its emphasis on patient service and for its use of only the latest diagnostic imaging equipment. It will offer 3 Telsa MRI, low dose CT, women's imaging (mammography, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, bone density scan), PET, x-ray, and sonography. 

When it comes to diagnostic imaging, the type of equipment is crucial: low dose CT is especially groundbreaking in that it exposes patients to 90% less radiation than typical CT. And 3 Tesla MRI gives the clearest images while reducing the amount of time patients spend in the machine.

The office is looking to hire locally for a variety of roles including front desk staff, nurses, and technologists. Visit the website for more information and to apply: http://www.zwangerpesiri.com.

The building's ground floor and lower levels , which total 16,365 SF together, are still available. The community had really hoped for a supermarket to replace Met Foods, but the remaining space may be too small.What do you think?

Previously:
No, New Retail Space On Former Met Food Site On Smith Street Will Not Be A T.J. Maxx

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No, New Retail Space On Former Met Food Site On Smith Street Will Not Be A T.J. Maxx

The former Met Food at 205 Smith Street shortly after its closing in 2015

Newly constructed two story retail space at 205 Smith Street today

From RKF 's listing of 205 Smith Street in Boerum Hill.

Since construction began on a new two-story retail building at 205 Smith Street between Baltic and Warren Streets in Boerum Hill, the community has been speculating on what retailer may be moving in.  The site had formerly been the home of a Met Food Supermarket, which closed its doors in the summer of 2014 when its owner sold the property to retail investors Jackson Group, Aurora Capital Associates and ACHS Management for $18.5 million.

The community had hoped that a new food market would be moving in when the new building was completed, since Met Food, though never a pleasant shopping experience, was the only large supermarket in walking distance for many in the neighborhood.

Those hopes were dashed when the Brooklyn Paper reported in late 2016 that national retailer T.J. Maxx would be taking over both floors of 205 Smith Street. That information, however, was only based on a conversation with construction workers on the site and was never confirmed by the company.

Since a new Marshalls, which, like T.J. Maxx, belongs to TJX Companies, had just opened blocks away on Atlantic Avenue, the information made little sense. Why would the company open two stores so close to each other? 

Just recently, retail real estate firm RKF listed the 16,365 SF space, describing Smith Street as one of "Brooklyn’s most desirable shopping destinations and Cobble Hill is one of the most affluent neighborhoods."

(Of course, everyone knows that 205 Smith Street is in Boerum Hill, but what's a little fib to a real estate agent, right?).

So, no supermarket, no T.J.Maxx. The listing does not offer information on the rent price, but it is bound to be steep.  The new renter will likely be a national chain, since no small retailer may be able to afford the space.
What would you like to see in this space? What does the community really need on Smith Street now?

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Work Finally Underway For Former Met Food Supermarket On Smith Street

Rendering for 205 Smith Street courtesy of A and J Acquisitions

The former Met Food shortly after it closed

205 Smith Street with just erected construction fence

Back in the summer of 2014, the Met Food Supermarket on Smith Street between Baltic and Warren Streets in Boerum Hill closed its doors for good. Though it was once rated one of the five filthiest in Brooklyn, it had served many in the neighborhood and its closing was felt throughout the community.

The 10,000-square-foot one story building that housed the supermarket had been put up for sale by its owner and was bought by retail investors Jackson Group, Aurora Capital Associates and ACHS Management for $18.5 million in May 2014.

The companies plan to take down the existing structure to rebuild a 30 000 sq.f. two-story retail building. Recently, a construction permit to that effect have been approved by New York Department of Buildings.

The permit reads:

Removal of exterior and interior walls as shown on plans, erecting new façade and interior partitions. Also the addition of second floor plumbing and mechanical as per plans. Change of use, egress and occupancy.

Think! Architecture is listed as the design firm.

In the past few days, a fence has gone up around the property and work on 205 Smith Street has begun. Construction workers are currently busy with interior demolition.

Brownstoner reported yesterday that a worker indicated that a new supermarket will be moving in after work is completed.

Though we can all hope that a (reasonably priced) food market will one day occupy this space, the architectural rendering on one of the owners' web page would clearly indicate other plans. It also lists the property as available in 2016.

What type of retailer would you like to see there?

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