The $130 Million Battle: Why 79 Green Apple Corp (Peas N' Pickles) Survived Brooklyn's 40-Story Tower Plan
The name "79 Green Apple Corp" rarely appears on a shopping receipt, yet it was the legal cornerstone of one of Brooklyn Heights' most dramatic real estate battles in recent memory. This seemingly innocuous corporate entity is, in fact, the owner of the beloved local grocery store, Peas n' Pickles, whose fate hung in the balance of a multi-million dollar luxury development proposal. As of late 2025, the latest updates confirm a stunning victory for the community, halting a proposed 40-story residential skyscraper that would have demolished the cherished neighborhood retail hub.
The saga of 79 Green Apple Corp and its retail operation serves as a powerful case study in the ongoing tension between hyper-local community preservation and the relentless march of high-end real estate development in New York City. The site, located on the historic Pineapple Walk, became the epicenter of a heated debate, culminating in a decisive shareholder vote that ultimately protected the existing structure and its tenants from demolition.
The Corporate Veil: Unmasking 79 Green Apple Corp and Peas n' Pickles
To understand the high-stakes drama surrounding this property, one must first clarify the relationship between the corporate name and the popular store. 79 Green Apple Corp is the corporate entity that operates the grocery store known to locals as Peas n' Pickles.
- Legal Entity: 79 Green Apple Corp.
- Operating Name: Peas n' Pickles Grocery Store (sometimes referred to as "All In One Market" after a renovation).
- Primary Location Context: The retail space located within the base of the co-op building at 220 Cadman Plaza West, situated along Pineapple Walk in Brooklyn Heights, New York.
- Business Type: Local grocery store, convenience store, and purveyor of fresh produce, a vital resource for the immediate neighborhood.
- Key Role in Development: The store's location was part of the ground-floor retail space that a major developer sought to acquire and demolish to make way for a new, towering structure.
- Community Significance: Peas n' Pickles is considered a neighborhood institution, providing essential services alongside other long-standing local businesses like a pet store and a diner that were also slated for demolition.
The Anatomy of the Crisis: The 40-Story Tower Proposal
The conflict began when a proposal emerged to develop the retail and ground-floor space of the existing co-op building at 220 Cadman Plaza West. This property, which includes the space occupied by 79 Green Apple Corp, was highly desirable due to its prime location at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge and its proximity to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
The development was spearheaded by Anbau Enterprises, a prominent luxury residential developer. Their plan was ambitious: to acquire the retail section and construct a new, approximately 40-story luxury condominium tower.
- Developer: Anbau Enterprises.
- Proposed Structure: A 40-story residential condominium tower.
- Target Site: The retail base of 220 Cadman Plaza West, including the spaces for 79 Green Apple Corp (Peas n' Pickles), the Park Plaza Diner, and other small businesses.
- The Offer: Anbau Enterprises initially offered a substantial sum, reportedly around $75 million, to the co-op board for the development rights. This offer was later dramatically increased to a staggering figure of up to $130 million to sweeten the deal for the co-op shareholders.
The financial incentive was enormous, promising a massive payout to the existing shareholders of the co-op. However, the proposal immediately ignited fierce opposition from local residents and preservationists who feared the negative impact of the skyscraper on the historic, low-rise character of Brooklyn Heights.
Community vs. Condo: The Pivotal Shareholder Vote
The fate of 79 Green Apple Corp, the Park Plaza Diner, and the entire Pineapple Walk retail strip rested on the votes of the shareholders at the 220 Cadman Plaza West co-op. The decision was not just about money; it was a profound choice between immediate financial gain and long-term community character.
The community opposition was robust and well-organized. Residents and local groups argued that the proposed tower would set a dangerous precedent for overdevelopment, ruin the neighborhood's skyline, and displace essential, irreplaceable local businesses that served the daily needs of the community. The displacement of Peas n' Pickles, a reliable source for fresh produce and groceries, was a major point of contention.
The Decision That Saved the Store
In a stunning and definitive victory for the neighborhood, the co-op shareholders ultimately voted against the development proposal. This decision, despite the unprecedented financial offer of up to $130 million, demonstrated a powerful commitment to preserving the existing quality of life and the unique retail ecosystem of Pineapple Walk.
The vote effectively killed the 40-story tower project at this specific location, ensuring that 79 Green Apple Corp's operation (Peas n' Pickles) would not be immediately demolished. This outcome provided a significant boost to the morale of anti-development activists across Brooklyn and is a landmark moment in the history of Brooklyn Heights preservation.
The Current Status of 79 Green Apple Corp (Late 2025)
As of late 2025, the drama surrounding the 40-story tower has subsided, with the development plan being rejected by the co-op shareholders. This is the most critical and current update regarding the property. The vote means that the existing structure, including the retail space occupied by Peas n' Pickles, is secure from the immediate threat of demolition by Anbau Enterprises.
While some older reports mention a different "Peas n' Pickles" location closing or rebranding, the one at 220 Cadman Plaza West on Pineapple Walk—the heart of the development controversy—remains a symbol of community resilience. The victory of the shareholders highlights several key entities and themes relevant to New York City's real estate landscape:
- Topical Authority Entities:
- 220 Cadman Plaza West: The co-op building at the center of the dispute.
- Pineapple Walk: The retail street where the store is located, a key part of the historic neighborhood.
- Community Activism: The organized efforts by residents to save their local businesses and skyline.
- Local Retail Preservation: The fight to protect essential services like grocery stores and diners against luxury high-rise construction.
- Anbau Enterprises: The developer whose proposal was rejected.
- Brooklyn Heights Association: Key local advocacy group often involved in preservation efforts.
The case of 79 Green Apple Corp is a testament to the power of a community to prioritize its quality of life and local heritage over a massive financial windfall. The grocery store, Peas n' Pickles, continues to operate, not just as a place to buy groceries, but as a living monument to a successful stand against the forces of ultra-luxury development in one of New York City's most historic neighborhoods.
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