

How a Housing Proposal Sparked a Fierce Battle Over Shadows in Brooklyn
New York City’s housing crisis is no secret, but a new high-rise development proposal in Brooklyn has ignited a heated battle that stretches far beyond the typical debates about affordability and gentrification. The focal point of the conflict is the iconic Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG), a cherished green space that houses rare and delicate plant species, including orchids and bonsai trees that are hundreds of years old. The construction of a 14-story building next to the garden has sparked concerns about shadows, preservation, and the potential displacement of these plants, leading to a complex debate on balancing urban growth with environmental preservation.
The Proposed High-Rise: A Solution to Brooklyn’s Housing Crisis?
The proposed building is set to rise in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a neighborhood with a growing demand for housing. Developed by the Continuum Company, the high-rise would provide 475 residential units, including a mix of affordable and market-rate apartments. The proposal seeks to alleviate the city’s ongoing housing shortage, with nearly 119 units reserved for low-income and middle-class families. However, this plan has come under fire for one reason: the building’s shadow would loom over the beloved Brooklyn Botanic Garden, potentially threatening the delicate ecosystem housed within its walls.
Brooklyn, like the rest of New York City, is grappling with a housing crisis that has driven up rents and reduced the vacancy rate to a historic low. The median rent in Brooklyn’s Community District 9, which includes Crown Heights, has surged by more than 50% since 2010, making affordable housing a critical issue. Given the acute need for new units, one might expect the proposal to receive wide support. However, the potential impact on the garden has split public opinion.
Shadows vs. Orchids: The Heart of the Dispute
At the center of the conflict is the shadow the building would cast on the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Home to tens of thousands of plant varieties, including exotic orchids, rare bonsai trees, and the famous “corpse” flowers, the garden relies on sunlight for its plant species to thrive. The new high-rise threatens to disrupt this delicate balance by casting significant shadows over the garden’s greenhouses and conservatories.
BBG’s president, Adrian Benepe, and other officials have voiced their concerns about the potential impacts of the shadows. They argue that reduced sunlight could stymie plant growth, causing orchids to stop blooming and ficus trees to wither. The garden would likely have to relocate many plants to other facilities around the country where conditions are more favorable, resulting in the loss of a valuable cultural and educational resource for the city.
“We’re confident there’s a solution that protects both the garden and allows for much-needed affordable housing,” said Benepe, emphasizing that a compromise must be reached.
Striking a Compromise: The City’s Efforts
The city’s planners have been caught in the middle of the debate. Recognizing the importance of both affordable housing and the preservation of the BBG, the City Planning Commission has tried to broker a compromise. One alternative design involved reducing the height of the building and incorporating a sloping roof at a 15-degree angle to minimize shadows on the garden. However, this would also reduce the total number of apartments to 355, with only a portion allocated as affordable units. The developer deemed this solution financially unfeasible, particularly if the affordable units were to be geared toward lower-income households rather than middle-income ones.
The original 475-unit proposal remains the most contentious. With the inclusion of affordable units for low- and middle-income families, the development could help alleviate Brooklyn’s housing shortage. However, critics argue that most of these units would still be out of reach for many local residents in Crown Heights, where affordability is desperately needed.
The Role of the Community and Local Politicians
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden and its supporters are not the only ones voicing opposition to the high-rise project. Local activists and community boards have also expressed concerns about the development’s impact on the neighborhood’s character. A resolution passed by the local community board in June labeled the project “grossly inconsistent” with the area’s identity, arguing that the “adverse impacts outweigh the nominal increase of affordable housing stock.”
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, known for his pro-development stance, has also weighed in, stating that while he supports new housing, this particular project overreaches. Reynoso emphasized that this situation is unique and should not set a precedent for limiting future developments across the city. His sentiment was echoed by Councilwoman Crystal Hudson, whose district includes the garden. She has the final say on the matter and expressed a willingness to find a solution that balances housing needs with the protection of cultural institutions like the BBG.
Developer’s Stance and Future Outlook
The developer, Continuum, remains adamant that without the 475-unit high-rise, the project is financially unsustainable. They have warned that if the city rejects their proposal, they may abandon plans for affordable housing altogether and build market-rate luxury condominiums, which are already permitted under existing zoning rules. This alternative would provide fewer housing options for the community and might not contribute to easing the housing crisis.
To further sway the community, Continuum has offered $500,000 to the BBG to help mitigate the impact of the shadows by installing artificial grow lights and other equipment. However, this gesture has done little to calm the opposition from the garden’s leadership and local activists.
The Future of Housing and Green Spaces
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the city’s need for affordable housing will not go away. Yet, this controversy highlights the complexity of urban development, where the push for more housing can sometimes clash with efforts to preserve what makes neighborhoods livable and unique. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, with its rare plants and cultural significance, has found itself at the center of this struggle, forcing city planners, developers, and community leaders to think creatively about how to accommodate growth while protecting cherished landmarks.
The final decision now rests with the City Council, with a vote expected next month. Whether a compromise will be reached remains to be seen, but the stakes — both for housing and for the garden’s future — are undeniably high.