500-unit high-rise coming to Surf Avenue as first phase of Coney Island West plan
All renderings by IMC Architecture unless otherwise noted
The city this week revealed details for the first housing project under the Coney Island West development plan. Rybak Development will build a $350 million 28-story mixed-use tower with over 500 apartments on a city-owned parking lot on Surf Avenue, between West 21st and West 22nd Streets. The development of “Parcel A” kicks off Mayor Eric Adams’ vision for this section of the neighborhood, west of the amusement district, which includes 1,500 new homes, new retail, and upgrades to the boardwalk and streetscape.
Announced by Adams earlier this year, the Coney Island West development targets public sites that have yet to be developed as a result of the 2009 rezoning of Coney Island. The sites are mostly parking lots used by the adjacent Maimonides Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Abe Stark Sports Center, and the Coney Island Amphitheater.
“Creating a true year-round, mixed-use district in Coney Island West is anchored by housing,” Adolfo Carrión, deputy mayor of housing, economic development, and workforce, said.
“With Rybak redeveloping Parcel A into new mixed-income homes and the city investing in public spaces, streets, and community amenities, we’re laying the foundation for a neighborhood that honors its past and builds opportunity for its future.”
Designed by Brooklyn-based IMC Architecture, the new development will be named Tilyou Towers after George C. Tilyou, who founded the historic Steeplechase Park in 1897, the first amusement park in Coney Island. Infamously, Donald Trump’s developer father, Fred, purchased the land and bulldozed the park’s Pavilion of Fun in 1966. All that remains of Steeplechase today is the iconic Parchaute Jump.
According to the city, the Tilyou Towers will consist of an 11-story podium and two 28-story towers with a “beach sand” facade. There will be 505 apartments, with a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes; 122 units will be affordable. Retail space and a parking garage will be located on street level, with more parking on the second, third, and fourth levels.
The city said 160 spaces of public parking will be maintained during construction and then replaced with the new parking garage once the project is complete.
Amenities include a large outdoor rooftop terrace on the 11th floor with an infinity-edge swimming pool facing the Atlantic Ocean, a lounge, a gaming area, a children’s playground, and a kitchen. Indoor amenities will be on the fifth floor.
There will also be a 3,000-square-foot landscaped public plaza in front of the building with seating and curated artwork.
“The new building’s sand-toned and taupe facade will reference warm hues of the sun and nearby ocean beaches, while undulating lines of varied-sized windows on the structure’s corners will remind the passersby of ocean waves,” Eugene Mekhtiyev, principal at IMC Architecture, said.
Construction could start in 2027 and wrap up by 2030.
As part of the Coney Island West plan, the city will invest in streets, sewers, and other infrastructure and renovate the Abe Stark Sports Center, which will include a new entrance and signage on the boardwalk, and improved ice-skating facilities. The plan also adds new streets, Ocean Way and Parachute Way, as pedestrian-friendly spaces next to the Cyclones’ stadium.
The city selected Rybak to develop Parcel A after issuing a request for proposals in February. According to the developer, the project will target Passive House standards and feature sustainable design elements like green roofs, flood-resilience measures, a rainscreen facade, and triple-glazed windows.
“The project demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability, targeting Passive House standards to sharply reduce energy use and carbon impact,” RYBAK Development Principal Jason Reznik said.
“Guided by RYBAK, IMC Architecture’s design incorporates green roofs, on-site solar panel array and robust flood-resilience measures. The residences will be all-electric, and the towers will feature triple-glazed windows and a rainscreen façade for exceptional energy efficiency and sound attenuation performance.”
In November, the EDC will release an RFP to operate and renovate the Seaside Park Community Arts Center, which includes the landmarked Childs Buildings and Amphitheater.
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