Walk through Downtown Brooklyn today and you'll see a lot of glass, a lot of NYU students, and a massive renaming project that's trying to make "Brooklyn Commons" a thing. But for a generation of New Yorkers and finance professionals, this 16-acre "superblock" is simply MetroTech. And at the heart of that history sits Chase MetroTech Center Brooklyn.
Honestly, the story of this place is kinda wild. It wasn't just another office building. It was a massive bet on Brooklyn back when the borough was still struggling with a reputation for crime and urban decay. JPMorgan Chase didn't just rent space here; they literally owned a chunk of the skyline, moving thousands of workers across the East River to a campus that felt more like a fortress than a typical city street.
The Shift from 3 to 4 Chase MetroTech Center Brooklyn
If you're looking for the actual "Chase building," things got a little confusing a few years back. For a long time, the bank occupied two major sites: 3 MetroTech and 4 MetroTech.
By late 2020, JPMorgan Chase basically decided it didn't need both. They vacated 3 MetroTech Center, a 10-story building that sits right next to the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. In 2022, NYU officially bought that building for a cool $122 million. If you go there now, you’re more likely to see lab-coat-wearing researchers than suit-clad bankers.
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4 Chase MetroTech Center Brooklyn is the real survivor.
This 24-story behemoth is still very much a Chase stronghold. With over 1.3 million square feet of space, it remains one of the largest office buildings in the borough. It’s a "Class A" facility, which is real estate speak for "fancy and well-maintained." It’s got a massive Chase branch on the ground floor, tons of ATMs, and it serves as a central hub for the bank’s technology and back-office operations.
Why This Specific Spot Matters
Why did a global banking giant plant its flag at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Myrtle?
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- Connectivity: It sits right on top of the Jay Street–MetroTech station. You've got the A, C, F, and R trains right there. You can get to Wall Street in about ten minutes.
- The "Superblock" Design: Built in the early 90s, MetroTech was designed to be self-contained. It closed off streets to create a pedestrian-only zone.
- Cost Efficiency: Moving jobs from high-priced Manhattan towers (like the old 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza) to Brooklyn saved the bank millions in rent and taxes over the decades.
The campus was controversial when it started. The city had to demolish over 100 homes and 50 businesses to clear the space. It was a "top-down" urban renewal project that critics at the time felt was too sterile. But you can't argue with the results: it anchored Downtown Brooklyn’s economy for thirty years.
The New Look: Brooklyn Commons
In 2022, Brookfield Properties, which owns much of the surrounding campus, rebranded the whole area as Brooklyn Commons. They’re spending $50 million to make it feel less like a gated corporate park and more like a public neighborhood.
They’ve added an ice rink in the winter, outdoor movie nights, and a bunch of new seating designed by fancy landscape architects. Even though the name on the signs is changing, the "Chase" footprint at 4 MetroTech remains the anchor. It’s the building with the blue logos that used to light up the night sky (though they're a bit more subtle these days).
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What You’ll Find at 4 MetroTech Today
If you have business at the Chase MetroTech Center Brooklyn, here is the ground-level reality:
- Banking Services: It’s a full-service branch. You can do everything from opening a business checking account to meeting with a Private Client advisor.
- Safety and Access: Security is tight. You aren't getting past the lobby without a badge or a scheduled appointment. It’s a major data and tech hub for the bank, so they don't play around with access.
- The Vibe: It’s busy. You’ll see a mix of tech developers, financial analysts, and locals using the ATMs.
Actionable Tips for Visiting or Working Nearby
If you’re heading to the area for a meeting or just exploring Downtown Brooklyn, keep these things in mind:
- Don't Drive: Parking in this part of Brooklyn is a nightmare and incredibly expensive. The subway is your best friend. The Jay Street-MetroTech (A/C/F/R) and DeKalb Ave (B/Q/R) stations are both within a 5-minute walk.
- Lunch Spots: The campus itself has some retail, but if you walk two blocks south to the Fulton Street Mall or over to DeKalb, you’ll find way better food options like Junior's (for the cheesecake) or the DeKalb Market Hall.
- Public Space: Take advantage of the new "Brooklyn Commons Park." It’s a great spot to sit and eat if the weather is nice, and it’s one of the few places in the area with decent public seating that isn't a crowded coffee shop.
- Check the Schedule: If you’re a local, check the Brooklyn Commons event calendar. They often have free concerts or fitness classes in the "Commons" area right outside the Chase building.
The era of MetroTech as a closed-off corporate island is over. While Chase is still the "big dog" on the block at 4 MetroTech, the surrounding area is becoming a blend of higher education, tech startups, and public art. It’s a weird, evolving mix that perfectly sums up the new Brooklyn.