BRIGHTON BEACH — The Diocese of Brooklyn is discrediting reports that it plans to develop a high-rise apartment building on the site of Guardian Angel Parish in Brighton Beach.
A portion of the property is being sold, but “the sale of this vacant parcel has no effect on the church building,” said John Quaglione, a spokesman for the diocese.
The diocese is reacting to media reports, published in Commercial Observer and other outlets on Aug. 27, which stated that the diocese has placed the parish property at 2978 Ocean Parkway under the jurisdiction of Rocklyn Asset Corp. — the firm that handles property management for the diocese — and is moving forward with plans for a 13-story, 99-unit apartment building to be constructed at the 110,000-square-foot site.
Commercial Observer reported that a representative of Rocklyn has filed paperwork with the city.
Guardian Angel Church was established by the diocese in 1880, and the current church building was erected in 1905. According to BKMag.com, the new building would replace the church and would include a room on the ground floor for worship services as well as another space for a daycare center.
However, Quaglione said the real estate deal does not involve the Guardian Angel Church building at all.
“The property where this housing will be built is not the same location as the church,” he told The Tablet, adding that the real estate transaction “will not affect the church.”
Quaglione added that the diocese does not have any specifics on the makeup of the housing that will be constructed.
According to Quaglione, the diocese is in the process of selling the property to a developer who plans to build housing there, saying, “The Diocese of Brooklyn is not the developer.”
The diocese did not identify the developer or offer any further details on the construction project.
