DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — With the Atlantic Terminal Mall celebrating its 20th anniversary, the appeal of Downtown Brooklyn as both a retail hub and a place to work and live has been significantly exemplified. 

“I’m very bullish on Downtown Brooklyn,” CEO and President of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Randy Peers told the Brooklyn Eagle. “Because of its mixed-use nature, it has such incredible and viable appeal. I predict we will see a lot more growth in the area as well going forward from a real estate and retail perspective.”

Peers added that Downtown Brooklyn has taken the lead in economic recovery for the city ever since the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s not just about office buildings,” Peers added. “It’s residential, which feeds retail.” 

Ratner: ‘Brooklyn has everything’   

Peers, who described the Atlantic Terminal Mall as an “essential transit hub” and an “anchor,” also referred to its developer, real estate tycoon Bruce Ratner, as “a pioneer who took a very big risk.” 

“At the time, in 2004, it wasn’t clear where things would go,” Peers said. “But Brooklyn had everything [Ratner] wanted, and he wanted to be a part of it.” 

Ratner told the Daily News in 2004 that when he went to Harvard University, he was overwhelmed by how smart people from New York were. 

“There were two types of New Yorkers,” Ratner said. “The aloof preppies from Manhattan and the cool, street-smart guys from Brooklyn. And when I finally came here, I realized this place had everything — diversity, pride, history and a big future. I wanted to be part of that future.” 

Over the last 20 years, much has changed, Peers pointed out: “We have attracted both national and international interest from developers, as well as some of the most creative and talented people who want to live, work, play and produce here,” he said, adding that Brooklyn has become a major national and international hotspot.

“At the end of the day, when we look back at where it all began, we look back to here — places like Atlantic Terminal and the visionary people who had the courage to think big,” said Peers. 

Celebrating 20 years  

The Atlantic Terminal Mall marked its 20-year anniversary this month with a celebration attended by local leaders, officials and community members where it honored key individuals.

Speakers at the gala included Ehud Kupperman, managing director of Madison International Realty; Regina Myer, president of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership; Randy Peers; and Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate for the City of New York.

Honorees included New York City Mayor Eric Adams (whose award was received by SBS Deputy Commissioner Calvin Brown); JonPaul Esemplare of Cushman & Wakefield; Robert Woodward of Cushman & Wakefield; Conrad Mann of Securitas; Derrick Baca of Schindler; Rich Brown of CBS-Collins; Marcos German of GGMC Parking; and Bannister McKenzie of CBS-Collins. 

Atlantic Terminal is a premier destination for shopping, dining and leisure situated in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. Owned by Madison International Realty, the facility is located at 139 Flatbush Avenue.

“We are immensely proud to celebrate 20 years of Atlantic Terminal Mall as a cornerstone of Downtown Brooklyn,” said speaker Ehud Kupperman of Madison International Realty. “This milestone underscores the strength and resilience of this community, and we look forward to building on this legacy in the years ahead.”

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