Historic East Flatbush Synagogue Faces Demolition Amid Affordable Housing Debate

"According to Gothamist, the synagogue has served an Orthodox Jewish congregation since the late 1920s, and was part of the hospital's original design to provide space for Jewish patients and staff. After One Brooklyn Health took control of Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, hospital management determined that maintaining the synagogue on the site is not feasible under the current redevelopment plans. Attorney Jason Hsi stated that the plans could change."

"Across the bridge, Downtown Brooklyn has seen significant residential growth. In 2025, the neighborhood added 4,421 residential units, a 51% increase over the previous record set in 2022. According to The Post, this growth reflects Downtown Brooklyn's development as a residential area, supported by a 2004 rezoning and tax incentives for developers. Major projects contributing to this increase include the 1,098-unit Rocklyn at 20 Rockwell Place and the 569-unit Everly at 180 Ashland Place."

"While some have described Downtown Brooklyn's architecture as unremarkable, the neighborhood's growing housing availability appears to outweigh such concerns. Amanda Shur of StreetEasy noted to The Post that the area's convenience and expanding affordable housing stock are attracting buyers and renters, particularly those commuting to FiDi or working within Downtown Brooklyn. In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 1,300 affordable homes were added, even as median rents and asking prices have shifted."

Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center’s campus in East Flatbush includes a synagogue that has served an Orthodox congregation since the late 1920s and was originally designed to provide space for Jewish patients and staff. One Brooklyn Health concluded that maintaining the synagogue is not feasible under current redevelopment plans after taking control of the hospital, although those plans could change. Downtown Brooklyn added 4,421 residential units in 2025, a 51% increase over the prior record, driven by a 2004 rezoning, tax incentives, and major projects such as Rocklyn and Everly. More than 1,300 affordable homes were added in the first half of 2025.

Read at Hoodline