From Notorious Drug House to New Development: 704 Lefferts Avenue Set for Major Transformation

A property on Lefferts Avenue with a long and troubled history is now headed toward a dramatic transformation.

Building permits have been filed for a new six-story mixed-use development at 704 Lefferts Avenue, between Troy Avenue and Albany Avenue. The proposed building will rise approximately 75 feet and contain nearly 9,500 square feet of space, including five large residential units and community-facility space.

The project comes nearly a decade after the property was at the center of a major drug investigation and was later destroyed in a two-alarm fire.

The address first made headlines in 2015, when NYPD officers executed a search warrant at the property as part of an investigation into suspected drug activity. According to reports at the time, police discovered a significant cache of narcotics, including cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia and other evidence.

Six people were arrested in connection with the investigation, bringing considerable attention to the property and its reputation in the surrounding neighborhood.

But the property’s story did not end with the arrests.

In 2016, 704 Lefferts Avenue was again the scene of a major incident when a fire broke out inside the building during the early morning hours. The flames spread through the structure, prompting the FDNY to respond with a second alarm.

Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control, and no injuries were reported. Following the fire, the damaged structure was eventually demolished, leaving the property vacant.

For years, the empty lot remained as a reminder of the property’s turbulent past.

Now, the site is set to take on an entirely different identity.

The latest plans call for a six-story mixed-use building with approximately 9,449 square feet of total space. About 8,180 square feet will be dedicated to residential use, while another 1,268 square feet will be designated for community-facility space.

The five proposed residential units will be unusually large, averaging approximately 1,636 square feet per apartment, suggesting that the project could feature spacious condominium-style residences. Plans also include a cellar, penthouse and three open parking spaces.

Yisroel Kanar of IK Management LLC is listed as the owner behind the application, while Sion Hourizadeh of Sion Consulting Engineering PC is listed as the architect of record.

The development represents a striking change for a property that was once known for police raids, drugs and a devastating fire.

What was once a notorious two-family home is now a vacant development site, and what was once a source of concern for neighbors could soon become a modern residential building.

For longtime residents who remember the property’s history, the proposed construction marks more than simply another new building going up in East Flatbush. It represents a complete turnaround for an address that spent years associated with crime and tragedy.

From a notorious drug house, to a burned-out property, to a vacant lot — 704 Lefferts Avenue is now poised for a new beginning.