JLL Capital Markets arranged Freddie Mac refinancing for 224-unit building, the first of four Gowanus Wharf Residences
Joint partners, Charney Companies, Tavros and Canyon Partners Real Estate today announced that they have secured $125.536 million in fixed-rate financing for Union Channel, a 224-residential rental building in the burgeoning community of Gowanus Brooklyn. The trophy building, with an abundance of amenities, wonderful views and spacious, well-designed apartments, is the first of the four new buildings that make up the campus of Gowanus Wharf.
JLL worked to secure the 7-year, fixed-rate loan through Freddie Mac. The loan will be serviced by JLL Real Estate Capital, LLC, a Freddie Mac Optigo Lender.
Designed by Fogarty Finger Architecture, the striking nine-story building has been extremely popular with renters since it debuted a year ago. Union Channel offers 224 residential rental apartments, with 25% designated as affordable housing. Residential amenities include a rooftop swimming pool and sundeck, fitness center, yoga studio, coworking lounge, sky lounge and 24/7 attended lobby along with 22,226 square feet of retail space and 98 parking spaces.
“Union Channel is the cornerstone of our vision for Gowanus Wharf and reflects our conviction in the long-term trajectory of this neighborhood,” said Justin Pelsinger, Partner and COO of Charney Companies. “Securing the loan enables us to continue executing our business plan while delivering a high-quality residential experience in one of Brooklyn’s most dynamic communities,” added Colin Rankowitz, Partner at Tavros.
“We are excited to participate in the evolution of Gowanus through Union Channel, which represents a significant step in establishing a new standard for residential living within the Gowanus Wharf community,” said Jacob Feingold, Partner and Head of Originations at Canyon Partners Real Estate. “This investment highlights our commitment to high-quality, well-located multifamily assets, and we value our partnership with Tavros Capital and Charney Companies in driving the long-term vision for this dynamic neighborhood.”
Union Channel is the first of four planned buildings that will make up Gowanus Wharf, along with Douglass Port which is slated to open in the late spring of 2026, Nevins Landing which will debut in the fall of 2026, and 175 Third Street, designed by architect Bjarke Ingels and the largest property on the Gowanus Wharf campus. Gowanus Wharf will ultimately feature approximately 2,000 residential units, a public park, canal boardwalk and 160,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities ranging from a basketball court to a health and wellness spa.
Gowanus has undergone significant transformation following its rezoning, attracting substantial public and private investment and positioning the neighborhood for sustained residential and retail growth. Union Channel benefits from immediate access to the Union Street subway station and proximity to Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Boerum Hill and Downtown Brooklyn.
The JLL Capital Markets Debt Advisory team representing the borrower was led by Senior Managing Directors Christopher Peck and Peter Rotchford, Senior Director Nicco Lupo, and Managing Director Michael Shmuely.
“Union Channel represents a best-in-class asset within one of Brooklyn’s most compelling long-term growth corridors,” said Peck. “Freddie Mac recognized the strength of the sponsorship, the quality of the construction and the property’s strategic positioning within the broader Gowanus Wharf master plan. We continue to see strong appetite from agency lenders for well-located, institutional-quality multifamily assets in New York City.”
