60th Street’s Changing Face: From Auto Shops to Major Developments

By Y.M. Lowy

60th Street between 15th and 16th Avenues has undergone a striking transformation over the past several years. What was once a largely commercial and industrial stretch, known for its auto-body shops and repair businesses, now looks very different, with three large new developments changing the face of the block.

One of the biggest changes came with the closing of Maple Lanes years ago, the longtime bowling alley that had been a familiar part of the neighborhood for decades. The property was redeveloped into a large residential complex, replacing the bowling center with multiple six-story buildings and bringing a significant number of apartments to the block and changing the area dramatically.

Another major development is the seven-story building at 1514 60th Street, which has brought a variety of businesses and community services to the area. The building houses the Tantzers location, a daycare, Councilman Simcha Felder’s district office on the seventh floor, and medical services including Brooklyn Spine Center, along with other professional and commercial uses. With its mix of tenants, the building has become a destination for residents coming to the block for a range of different needs.

The former home of Perfect Collision has also undergone a major transformation. The auto-body shop operated for close to two decades at the corner of 15th Avenue and 60th Street before relocating to 16th Avenue and 62nd Street. Its former property is now home to a large new Beitel building, a seven-story development with commercial space on the ground floor and multiple levels of community-facility and professional space above.

Taken together, the three developments tell the story of how this section of 60th Street has changed. A block that was once defined by garages, repair shops and industrial properties has become home to residential buildings, offices and community facilities. For longtime neighborhood residents, the difference is hard to miss.