DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Real estate owner, operator and developer RXR recently celebrated the topping out of 89 DeKalb — a 30-story, all-electric residential tower that is slated to provide affordable, market-rate housing, in addition to 55,000 square feet of academic space for Long Island University.

The development’s 324 units will include 98 designated for middle-income households, exemplifying RXR’s attempt to put a dent in the housing crisis in New York City, Ivan Kondili, project executive for construction and development, told the Brooklyn Eagle.

“There is clearly a housing shortage,” Kondili said. “Now is the right time to provide a high-quality residential experience that is reachable for at least the middle income community.”

A recent report from NYC Comptroller Brad Lander revealed that 2023 was “the tightest housing market in the city in over 50 years.” The report referred to New York City’s housing market as “one of the priciest in the nation.” Further, the vacancy rate for apartments that rent below $1,650 was less than 1 %, it said.

On Aug. 13, RXR and LRC Construction held a press conference commemorating the topping out event on the construction site’s 22nd floor overlooking the Brooklyn skyline. 

“We are here today to not only acknowledge this milestone but also to recognize our partnership with Long Island University and thank each and every construction worker and tradesperson who has worked diligently to bring us where we are today,” Kondili said.

Kondili pointed out that the project averaged about 200 workers a day, pouring over 14,000 cubic yards of concrete and 2,300 tons of steel reinforcement in just five months. 

89 DeKalb, which has a price tag north of $200 million, is the second phase of the collaboration between RXR and LIU following their successful partnership on the nearby residential tower The Willoughby, which brought 476 units to the market in 2021, as well as an adjacent athletic field and parking for 564 vehicles, according to Kondili.

89 DeKalb is expected to welcome its first residents in fall 2025. 

“The initial opening for the residents is slated for October 2025,” Kondili said. “And the second phase, for another group of floors, should be ready around December 2025. Finally, the top floors will be online in February or March of 2026.”  

The development also offers nearly 15,000 square feet of interior and exterior amenity space.

Residents will enjoy 24-hour concierge service, co-working areas, resident lounge, screening room, library, private dining room, indoor and covered outdoor fitness center, and a spacious outdoor terrace.

The new academic space for LIU faculty and students will occupy the first three levels of the building, with dedicated entrances and lobby accessible from campus. 

Upon completion, 89 DeKalb will bring RXR’s total number of new units in Brooklyn to approximately 1,500.

Asked if there will be an RXR phase three, Kondili said, “We are in conversations with LIU to continue our partnership. We would certainly love to have a phase three and a phase four in this neighborhood.”

RXR is a real estate and infrastructure owner, investor, developer and operator started by Scott Rechler in 2007. In 2023, the Financial Times reported that RXR would begin converting office buildings into residences, a costly and bureaucratic pursuit. The company is also working on a $4.2 billion project at John F. Kennedy International Airport.