Forest Hills Jewish Center Redevelopment Plan
Forest Hills, New York

GOAL
To examine real estate options for substantial redevelopment of the Center’s existing complex.

CHALLENGE
Creating an integrated master plan for property
development and implementation through final design and approval.

OUTCOME
Approved redevelopment plan of Jewish Center in keeping with greater community and environment.


The Forest Hills Jewish Center engaged Jonathan Rose Companies to help examine real estate options for the substantial redevelopment of their built complex consisting of a one-story sanctuary building and an attached four-story multi-purpose community building.

The Center desires to maintain a strong presence in the community as it has for the past 50 years, but also recognizes that the site possesses significant development potential that could enhance the financial sustainability of their organization.

The development options identified and examined by our team include: preservation of the community space and the synagogue; demolition of both the synagogue and the community space; and demolition of the community space and preservation of the synagogue or the synagogue’s façade.  Compounding the complexity of development options is the location of the Center in an outdated auto-use zone surrounded by high-density residential development.

Jonathan Rose Companies, Weisz + Yoes and Kramer Levin Naftalis and Frankel, analyzed the potential zoning and the financing structure of each development option to help the center arrive at the best option to meet both their programmatic and financial needs.

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Firm Role
Project Manager, Asset Advisory Services, Planner


Project Profile
Synagogue, Community Center Retail and Commercial Development


Project Team
Massing and Zoning: Weisz + Yoes Architecture
Legal: Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel


Total Project Size
180,000 square feet
Community Facility + Synagogue: 50,000 sq. ft.
Residential + Retail: 130,000 sq. ft.


Completion
Pre-Development Phase