Leasing begins for Coney Island buildings with NYC’s largest geothermal system

February 2, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

A rendering of a building behind the Mermaid Parade

The Mermaid Parade is one of the many Coney attractions that are a stone’s throw from 1515 Surf Ave.

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LCOR, a leading real estate development and investment firm, on Thursday announced the launch of leasing at 1515 Surf Ave., a 463-unit waterfront residential complex in Coney Island that includes the largest geothermal HVAC system built to date in New York City.

The two-building complex’s geothermal system will provide heating and cooling for the building and heat for its domestic hot water system. The system is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 60% relative to other residential buildings equipped with conventional heating and cooling systems and will result in lower energy bills for its residents.

The project will also be certified by Fitwell, one of several rating systems that focuses on “healthy buildings.” The concept of healthy buildings takes into account the physical, psychological and social health of people who live in them — focusing on adequate ventilation, indoor air quality, natural lighting and so on.

In general, geothermal systems take steam from deep underground and use it to power generators, which in turn produce electricity. Steam is sent into cooling towers and then goes back underground as water. Excess steam is used for heating.

The outdoor Surf Pool deck at 1515 Surf Ave. in Coney Island.

According to Engineering News Record, a trade publication, geothermal wasn’t originally in the plans for the complex. However, ENR quotes Anthony Tortora, senior vice president of LCOR, as saying, “That this site was so large and so close to the ocean presented itself as a unique candidate for geothermal.”

Some 153 wells had to be incorporated into foundation, and the building now has the largest geothermal plant in the city. The second one is on the grounds of the famed St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.

Geothermal energy aside, with two towers, standing at 26- and 16-stories respectively, 1515 Surf spans 470,000 square feet and features a mix of one- and two-bedroom units as well as penthouses. The project includes 324 market-rate units and 139 units that are designated affordable. The lottery for these units launched on January 12 and will run through March 20.

An outdoor view of the new residential complex at 1515 Surf Ave., showing the landscaping. Renderings courtesy of 1515 Surf/Studio V Architecture

Designed by Studio V Architecture, the 1515 Surf also includes 10,600 square feet of ground-floor retail space and 30,000 square feet of outdoor amenity space, including a heated pool with views of the ocean and the Manhattan skyline and a 20,000-square-foot landscaped private garden.

Additional amenities include a fitness center, indoor basketball and handball courts, a children’s playroom, beach lockers, a pet spa, a game room featuring a pool table and vintage arcade games, a variety of tenant lounges, off-street parking and more, according to LCOR.

A balcony at 1515 Surf Ave., with the Atlantic Ocean at left.

“Located just steps from the beach and the subway, 1515 Surf offers an ideal and unique living experience,” said the aforementioned Anthony Tortora. “With its geothermal system, best-in class design and extensive amenities, 1515 Surf differentiates itself from other residential communities in NYC and represents the future of sustainable living.”

1515 Surf is located one block from the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station with access to the D, F (local and express), N and Q subway lines. It is within walking distance of the beach, the Coney Island boardwalk, Luna Park, the New York Aquarium, Maimonides Park (home of the Brooklyn Cyclones) and other neighborhood attractions.

Since its rezoning in 2009, Coney Island has experienced a surge in residential development with well over a thousand new residential units delivering and under construction.