Brooklyn Building Renovated After Long Vacancy

The 1893 structure at 265 Malcolm X Boulevard now offers seven apartments following a full renovation.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Commercial

Bold vector editorial illustration of a restored brick apartment building facade, representing a recent urban renovation project. — Developers in Brooklyn have completed a gut renovation of the historic 1893 building at 265 Malcolm X Boulevard, adding seven new residential units. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Developers completed a comprehensive gut renovation of the historic building at 265 Malcolm X Boulevard in April 2026. This project successfully revived a property that had remained vacant and dilapidated for more than a decade.

Why it matters

The renovation transforms a long-vacant site into active residential and commercial space in the neighborhood. This project reflects the evolving real estate landscape in the area, specifically as investors target properties outside the Stuyvesant Heights Historic District.

The property was purchased by Malcolm Terrace LLC for $2.75 million in January 2025, following a previous $1 million sale to Jam MXBLVD LLC. The renovation, signed off in April 2026, restores a structure originally built in 1893.

The players

Department of Buildings

The city agency responsible for enforcing building codes and approving construction and renovation safety standards.

Malcolm Terrace LLC

The current owner of the properties following the $2.75 million purchase finalized in January 2025.

The details

The project involved a full gut renovation of the 1893 structure to restore its viability as a seven-unit apartment building with ground-floor commercial space. This renovation followed a complex site transfer enforced by a court ruling regarding a 2018 sale contract. With the building now complete, development efforts have shifted toward the adjacent lot at 267 Malcolm X Boulevard, which has been vacant since the city demolished a structure there in 2003.

1893: The original construction of 265 Malcolm X Boulevard occurred.
2003: The city demolished the building previously located at 267 Malcolm X Boulevard.
January 2025: Properties were transferred to Jam MXBLVD LLC.
April 2026: The Department of Buildings issued a final sign-off for the renovation project.

The Home Front

The renovation follows a trend of developers acquiring and upgrading long-vacant properties near the Stuyvesant Heights Historic District to meet current housing demand. This specific project sits outside of the district's oversight, allowing for significant structural changes to 1893-era buildings.

If you are considering a property renovation in a historic area, confirm your address's zoning status relative to any local historic districts with the city. Homeowners should always hire licensed professionals to manage structural gut renovations to ensure compliance with municipal building codes.

The takeaway

The successful renovation of this building demonstrates the potential for reviving long-vacant historic structures within the city's housing market. Residents in the area should monitor upcoming planning board filings for the proposed 10-unit building scheduled for the adjacent 267 Malcolm X Boulevard lot.