If you’ve ever walked down Flatbush Avenue Extension and felt like you were suddenly transported from the grit of Brooklyn into a suburban office park, you’ve hit the MetroTech Center. Or, as the new owners at Brookfield Properties want you to call it, Brooklyn Commons.
Most people know it as "the Chase building." Specifically, 4 MetroTech Center. It’s that massive, somewhat imposing 25-story tower that serves as a pillar for JPMorgan Chase’s back-office and tech operations. But there’s a lot of noise and misunderstanding about what actually happens inside those walls and how the bank basically saved—and some say, sterilized—Downtown Brooklyn.
The Bank That Built a Neighborhood
Back in the late 1980s, Downtown Brooklyn was... well, it wasn't a place where global investment banks wanted to be. It was considered "blighted" by city officials. To lure Chase Manhattan Bank (before the JP Morgan merger) away from moving their operations to New Jersey, the city and developer Forest City Ratner cooked up a plan.
They used eminent domain. It was messy. Over 100 homes and 50 businesses were flattened to create this 16-acre "superblock." Chase was the anchor. If Chase didn't sign on, MetroTech probably doesn't exist. They moved their back-office workers there in the early 90s, and for decades, it’s been the heartbeat of the complex.
4 MetroTech Center is the big one—nearly 1.6 million square feet. Chase actually owns this building, which is a big deal in a city where most firms just lease. They also used to own 3 MetroTech next door, but things have changed recently.
Why the Footprint is Shrinking (But Not Disappearing)
You might have heard rumors that Chase is leaving Brooklyn. It’s a half-truth.
In late 2022, NYU Tandon School of Engineering bought 3 MetroTech Center from Chase for a cool $122 million. Chase employees who were in that 10-story building didn't go home; they mostly consolidated into the larger 4 MetroTech tower next door.
Why? Because Chase is obsessed with efficiency right now. They just finished their massive new 60-story global headquarters at 270 Park Avenue in Manhattan. Jamie Dimon, the CEO, has been very vocal about getting people back into the office. By owning 4 MetroTech outright, Chase has a permanent, high-tech fortress in Brooklyn that costs them a lot less than leasing prime Manhattan real estate for their developers and data analysts.
What’s actually inside 4 MetroTech?
- The Tech Hub: This isn't where the high-flying investment bankers close deals. It’s where the software engineers, cybersecurity teams, and "Global Technology" groups live.
- Retail Banking: There is a full-service Chase branch on the ground floor. It's busy.
- Energy Efficiency: Fun fact—the building actually won an ENERGY STAR certification. For a structure built in 1991, that’s actually impressive. It’s not just an old glass box; they’ve retrofitted the guts of it.
The "Suburban" Controversy
Honestly, MetroTech is a bit of a weird place. It was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and the master plan came from Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn (now Perkins Eastman). The vibe was "urban office park."
The idea was to create a safe, clean "campus" for workers. But critics for years complained it felt like a gated community in the middle of Brooklyn. It was physically separated from the street grid.
✨ Don't miss: Bank of America Conyers GA: What Most People Get Wrong About Local Banking
Lately, though, the vibe is shifting. Since the rebranding to Brooklyn Commons, the private plaza has opened up. You’ll see NYU students eating lunch next to Chase programmers and FDNY brass (their headquarters is at 9 MetroTech). It’s less of a fortress than it used to be.
Logistics: Getting to Chase MetroTech Center Brooklyn NY
If you’re heading there for a meeting or to visit the branch, don't just put "MetroTech" into your GPS and hope for the best. It’s a maze.
- The Subway is King: The A, C, F, and R trains stop at Jay St-MetroTech. The 2, 3, 4, and 5 are at Borough Hall, just a five-minute walk away.
- Security is Real: If you're going above the ground floor at 4 MetroTech, you aren't just walking in. It’s a global bank. Expect heavy security, ID checks, and pre-registration.
- The Address: 4 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11245. Yes, it has its own zip code for some internal operations, though 11201 is the standard for the area.
Is it worth the hype?
For a business traveler or a job seeker, Chase MetroTech is the "stable" side of Brooklyn. It’s not a trendy DUMBO startup loft with exposed brick. It’s corporate. It’s functional.
But it’s also the reason Downtown Brooklyn has high-rises today. Without the tax breaks and the commitment Chase made in the 90s, the "Brooklyn Renaissance" might have looked a lot different—or not happened at all.
Actionable Takeaways for Visitors and Professionals
- Job Seekers: Look for "Global Technology" or "Operations" roles on the Chase careers site specifically mentioning Brooklyn. These are the primary functions housed here.
- Networking: The Brooklyn Commons Park (the plaza) hosts events like chess tournaments and outdoor movies. It’s the best place to actually meet people working in the complex without needing a security badge.
- Banking: The branch at 4 MetroTech is one of the most robust in the borough for business banking services, given the proximity to their corporate teams.
Chase’s presence at MetroTech is a permanent fixture of the New York skyline. While they may consolidate and sell off peripheral buildings like 3 MetroTech, the core tower at Number 4 remains their "Brooklyn Pentagon." It’s a massive, efficient machine that keeps the world’s largest bank running behind the scenes.