Amazon Is Considering This Brooklyn Neighborhood For New Space

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — Amazon's decision not to open its headquarters in Queensapparently hasn't deterred it from expanding into other boroughs. The e-commerce giant is now considering where it can open a large logistics facility, and Industry City is on the list, Crains reports.

Several sources familiar with the company told Crains that the Sunset Park industrial complex is one location the company is looking into to rent up to 1 million square feet of space.

The logistics facility would ensure quick delivery to Amazon customers and is one of a few expansions into New York City the company has made in recent years. Amazon leased almost a million square feet at a warehouse in Staten Island last year and earlier this year took over more than 100,000 square feet of space in the Bronx, Crains reported.

The Industry City space would come as the community considers a controversial rezoning proposal for the 16-building private complex.

The rezoning, which Industry City officials recently postponed, would add more than 1 million square feet of development to the complex. But, it has faced pushback from residents and elected officials alike for the way it could change or gentrify the largely immigrant neighborhood.

Industry City executives have said the 900,000 square feet of food and retail space, 600,000 square feet for classrooms and educational facilities, and a pair of hotels with more than 400 rooms could bring 15,000 new jobs to the area.

This also isn't the first time Amazon has looked at Industry City for potential new space.

Industry City CEO Andrew Kimball confirmed at a recent meeting about the rezoning that Industry City was on a list of spots the company was looking into for its 4-million-square-foot second headquarters.

"They obviously chose to go elsewhere," Kimball said, referring to Amazon's deal to move into Queens. "And, obviously, Long Island City, through its own process received them and then they decided to pull out."

Amazon dropped the plans for Long Island City in February after neighborhood groups and elected officials opposed the deal.