Williamsburg

A restaurant with outdoor seating could be coming to McCarren Park in Brooklyn next year. The city's Parks Department is working with the owners of the entertainment venue Brooklyn Night Bazaar, which closed its doors permanently last fall, to bring a new concession to the McCarren Park House, a structure built in the early 20th century and designed by McKim, Mead, and White. As Brooklyn Paper first reported, the restaurant, expected to open in spring 2021, would help finance a $1.2 million renovation of the crumbling comfort station's facilities.
See the proposal

Food & Dining

Williamsburg’s Dime Savings Bank opens affordable housing lottery, from $2,116/month

Renderings courtesy of Fogarty Finger Architects

January 27, 2020

Williamsburg’s Dime Savings Bank opens affordable housing lottery, from $2,116/month

A housing lottery has just launched for 54 newly constructed units inside the 23-story tower rising next to the historic Dime Savings Bank in Williamsburg. At a height of 264 feet, the mixed-use development is among the tallest in the neighborhood and includes ground-floor retail, 100,000 square feet of office space, and 178 rental apartments. The 109-year-old bank will be preserved and integrated into the project. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, which range from $2,116/month studios to $3,150/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Williamsburg’s William Vale hotel opens rooftop ice skating rink with skyline views

Photo courtesy of The William Vale

January 6, 2020

Williamsburg’s William Vale hotel opens rooftop ice skating rink with skyline views

By Dana Schulz

In the warmer months, the 23rd-floor rooftop of The William Vale is one of the hottest spots for an outdoor drink, and now the hotel has introduced a fun way to take advantage of those skyline views during the winter. Vale Rink is a public ice skating rink, as well as a tented lounge that offers hot chocolate and other treats. Admission is $20 for adults and includes your skate rental.
Get the details

Events & Things To Do

The Collective announces a new Williamsburg co-living location with student housing included

Renderings by Scuares, courtesy of The Collective

December 18, 2019

The Collective announces a new Williamsburg co-living location with student housing included

The Collective is wrapping up a busy year with news of its latest co-living development at 292 North 8th Street in Williamsburg. Stonehill Taylor will design a 100,000-square-foot building comprised of 224 studios. Ninety-seven of those are to be set aside for students, and the remaining 127 rooms will be geared toward nightly and monthly stays. The North 8th Street location is one of three now underway in Brooklyn. A forthcoming flagship location is in the works at 555 Broadway in South Williamsburg, and a Sou Fujimoto-designed building will soon take shape at the site of the former Slave Theater in Bed-Stuy. All three Brooklyn locations are set to open in 2022.
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Uncategorized

All renderings © James Corner Field Operations and BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, courtesy of Two Trees Management

December 12, 2019

Massive Bjarke Ingels-designed apartment towers and public beach planned for Williamsburg

Two new mixed-use towers with 1,000 units of housing and six acres of public space have been proposed for the North Brooklyn waterfront. Two Trees Management on Thursday unveiled plans to bring two Bjarke Ingels Group-designed buildings, one at 650 feet and the other at 600 feet, on River Street between North 1st and North 3rd Street in Williamsburg. The buildings, with Metropolitan Avenue running between them, will serve as an entrance to the new waterfront space, part of a master plan designed in collaboration with BIG and James Corner Field Operations. The park and public beach would close the gap between Grand Ferry Park and North Fifth Park, eventually providing continuous access to the East River between South Williamsburg and Greenpoint.
Check out the whole project

The 8 best neighborhoods in NYC for holiday shopping

Photo by Josh Wilburne on Unsplash

November 26, 2019

The 8 best neighborhoods in NYC for holiday shopping

By Rebecca Fishbein

New York is a prime spot for holiday shopping, in large part because of big department stores like Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, designer flagships that line the Upper East Side, and whatever hell awaits you in the Disney Store in Times Square. But true New Yorkers should avoid the major shopping hubs, and instead seek gifts and other goods in some of the city’s slightly less crowded and infinitely more interesting ‘hoods, including the many holiday markets and pop-up shops found across the five boroughs. Find our favorite neighborhoods for holiday shopping this season, ahead.
See the full list

Events & Things To Do

The city introduces a new branding initiative to unite NYC’s public markets

Photo of the Arthur Avenue Retail Market by Leonard J. DeFrancisci via Wikimedia Commons

November 11, 2019

The city introduces a new branding initiative to unite NYC’s public markets

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) last week unveiled a new brand strategy for the city's network of six public markets, which includes a multilingual ad campaign, a dynamic new website and social media presence, direct mail campaigns and more, all of which are designed to consolidate a network of historic markets under one city-wide brand. It's all part of the organization's comprehensive initiative to promote NYC's public markets--including Essex Market, the Bronx's Arthur Avenue Market, and Williamsburg's historic Moore Street Market--as "world class destinations for both local residents and tourists."
See what's in store

City Living

See inside Domino Sugar Factory site’s first commercial building

Image by Two Trees Management

November 8, 2019

See inside Domino Sugar Factory site’s first commercial building

The first commercial building at the Domino Sugar Factory site in Williamsburg officially launched leasing this week. Ten Grand Street sits within the 45-story mixed-use tower One South First, which opened in September with 330 rental units. Designed by COOKFOX Architects and developed by Two Trees Management, the towers interlock, a sustainable component that allows extra heat from the office building to be preserved and reused at the residential property. Offering tenants between 5,000 and 6,000-square-foot floor plates and floor-to-ceiling windows, Ten Grand boasts sweeping views of Manhattan, faces the six-acre Domino Park, and will be home to several Brooklyn-based retailers, including Roberta's and Other Half Brewing.
Take the tour

First major exhibition to highlight African American culinary history coming to Harlem next year

Exhibition renderings courtesy of the Museum of Food and Drink

November 6, 2019

First major exhibition to highlight African American culinary history coming to Harlem next year

Next February the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) will bring together the country’s first exhibition celebrating the countless ways in which African Americans have shaped American cuisine. Curated by Dr. Jessica B. Harris, a leading expert on the foods of the African Diaspora, African/American: Making the Nation’s Table will take place at The Africa Center in Harlem and feature musical selections by Questlove, tastings by Chef Carla Hall, and a restoration of the historic Ebony Magazine Test Kitchen.
More details

Photo of 25 Kent by Ty Cole

October 16, 2019

Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea will set up for the winter at Williamsburg’s new 25 Kent

By Dana Schulz

Earlier this month, we got a look at the completed 25 Kent, Williamsburg’s first ground-up commercial project in 50+ years. The eight-story building is notable for its bi-partite, ziggurat-like design, as well as its prime waterfront location and open space--all of which make it the perfect spot for an outpost of Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea. The markets announced today that beginning November 2nd and lasting through March 2020, they'll be operating out of a 25,000-square-foot, top-floor space at the building.
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Events & Things To Do

Live in a new Williamsburg rental with rooftop views and L train access, from $2,176/month

Photo by Korye Logan on Flickr

October 15, 2019

Live in a new Williamsburg rental with rooftop views and L train access, from $2,176/month

A lottery launched on Tuesday for 17 middle-income units at a new building in Brooklyn. Located at 188 Humboldt Street, the rental borders Williamsburg and Bushwick and sits just one block from the L train at Montrose Avenue. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from a $2,176/month studio to a $2,758/month two-bedroom apartment.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

132-year-old Peter Luger decides to start taking online reservations

Photo via Leonard J. DeFrancisci/Wiki Commons

October 9, 2019

132-year-old Peter Luger decides to start taking online reservations

By Dana Schulz

The world-famous steakhouse in the shadows of the Williamsburg Bridge will finally start accepting online reservations, amNY reports. Opened 132 years ago, Peter Luger is the third oldest steakhouse in New York City, best known for its dry-aged steaks. After installing a new phone system, the restaurant learned first-hand that many diners were experiencing hours-long wait times trying to get a reservation. In fact, they were receiving up to 6,000 calls each day.
READ MORE

Food & Dining

Photo credit: Ty Cole

October 3, 2019

Behold photos of Williamsburg’s new commercial office development 25 Kent, now complete

25 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg's first ground-up commercial office development in over 50 years, is now complete. The building spans a full city block and was designed by architects Hollwich Kushner (HWKN) and Gensler and to provide "a social campus for innovators, startup founders, and tech leaders." As 6sqft previously reported, the eight-story building holds 500,000 square feet of office space along the Williamsburg waterfront as well as retail at ground level and underground parking, with millennial-friendly rooftops and terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Many more photos of 25 Kent, this way

Image courtesy of Two Trees Management.

September 13, 2019

Williamsburg’s tallest building opens in Domino complex with an outdoor pool and rooftop cabanas

Two Trees Management announced yesterday the opening of the second building to rise at Williamsburg's Domino Sugar Factory site at the corner of Grand Street and Kent Avenue. Designed by COOKFOX Architects, One South First is a mixed-use 45-story building within the newly-created six-acre Domino Park that includes 330 rental apartments, office space, and retail. Unique features include a distinct facade inspired by the structure of sugar crystals in honor of the site's history as a sugar manufacturing plant. The building is now the neighborhood's tallest tower at 435 feet, and it makes use of every inch of that height with dazzling amenities that include an outdoor granite pool overlooking the East River and City skyline.
New views, this way

Asking $1.925M, this Williamsburg home offers a modern perspective on townhouse living

Photo credit: DD Reps courtesy of Compass. Staged by Studio Melrose.

September 11, 2019

Asking $1.925M, this Williamsburg home offers a modern perspective on townhouse living

Brooklyn townhouse living meets Williamsburg modernism in this 1,700-square-foot townhouse at 338 Humboldt Street. Asking $1.925 million, this compact home has all the elements of a classic renovated brownstone–three or four bedrooms, generous outdoor living space, a basement playroom and a separate guest suite–with the sharp good looks of a modern house.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

September 10, 2019

See renderings of The Wing’s new Williamsburg location for design inspiration

Renderings were released this morning showing the gorgeously on-trend interiors at the much-anticipated Williamsburg location of The Wing–the women-centric community and work space's first location in that neighborhood and second in Brooklyn. The Williamsburg opening is part of a greater New York City expansion, which will bring the total number of locations in The Wing's home city to five by the end of 2019. Since launching less than three years ago, The Wing has opened eight locations across six U.S cities and raised $117.5 million in venture funding.
More renderings this way

Photo credit: VHT courtesy of The Corcoran Group.

September 9, 2019

In prime East Williamsburg, this $875K ‘loft’ condo is fresh and functional

If you're looking for a sleek and contemporary east Williamsburg pad, this bi-level condominium at 142 Skillman Avenue, asking $875,000, might be just the place. It has 14-foot ceilings, a bedroom plus office/studio space, and nice new everything.
Have a look around

Distinctive Homes

East Williamsburg’s historic Moore Street Market is getting a $2.7M makeover

Images courtesy of NYCEDC

August 22, 2019

East Williamsburg’s historic Moore Street Market is getting a $2.7M makeover

City officials have announced that a major renovation is coming to East Williamsburg’s Moore Street Market, one of Brooklyn’s oldest public markets. $2.7 million will go toward improving the 15,000- square-foot facilities at 110 Moore Street. The market, which opened in 1941 and is also known as La Marqueta de Williamsburg, currently houses 15 vendors—fresh produce, seafood, groceries, specialty foods, and even a barbershop—and offers year-round events including cooking classes and small business seminars.
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Uncategorized

The Italian side of Williamsburg: History, famous joints, and today’s culture

Photo via Flickr cc

August 21, 2019

The Italian side of Williamsburg: History, famous joints, and today’s culture

A bustling Brooklyn enclave that is today an impossibly trendy and diverse mix of glassy condos, hip new restaurants and storefronts, and unassuming multi-family homes in the northeast section of Williamsburg was one of New York City’s notable Italian-American neighborhoods for much of the 20th century. While it may not have the tourist cachet of Manhattan’s Little Italy–or the old-fashioned village-y coziness of Carroll Gardens–this swath of the ‘burg, bounded roughly by Montrose, Union, Richardson, and Humboldt Streets, was a little bit of Italy in its own right from the 1800s until as late as the 1990s. The north end of Graham Avenue was even christened Via Vespucci to commemorate the historic Italian-American community.
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Williamsburg summer survival guide: Where to cool off, hang out, and enjoy an icy treat

Photo by Scott Beale

August 6, 2019

Williamsburg summer survival guide: Where to cool off, hang out, and enjoy an icy treat

Summer in the city can be a slog, but neighborhoods like Williamsburg turn the dog days into a wealth of seasonal perfection with peerless places, rare and unique tastes, and unbeatable views around every corner. From pools and parks and ice cream parlors for family fun to chic rooftop boîtes overlooking the Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn’s trendiest neighborhood offers endless urban opportunities to beat the heat. Below are just a few ways to keep cool and carry on.
The Williamsburg summer survival guide

Events & Things To Do

Demolition of debated vacant oil tanks in Williamsburg begins

Photo by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

August 2, 2019

Demolition of debated vacant oil tanks in Williamsburg begins

Ten decommissioned tanks located along the Williamsburg waterfront will get demolished by the city this week, quashing plans from organizers to transform the silos into public space. Over the last four years, a team of designers and park advocates, led by Karen Zabarsky and Stacey Anderson, has pushed for adaptive reuse of the vacant 50-foot tanks into possible performance space, greenhouses, and art galleries. But without enough support from public officials, the team's project, The Tanks at Bushwick Inlet Park, now comes to an end as the city begins razing the oil tanks.
More here

Architecture And Design

Ahead of city demo plans, petition launches to save Williamsburg’s Bayside Oil Depot

Photo by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft.

July 29, 2019

Ahead of city demo plans, petition launches to save Williamsburg’s Bayside Oil Depot

For the past four years, a team of designers and environmentalists led by co-founders Karen Zabarsky and Stacey Anderson has been rallying to save a series of ten 50-foot, decommissioned silos on the Williamsburg waterfront and transform them into a unique, 21st-century park. The project, known as THE TANKS at Bushwick Inlet Park, would be a small part of the larger 28-acre park planned for the waterfront, an area known for it’s “toxin-soaked soil,” as described in a recent New York Magazine article. Zabarsky and Anderson believe in adaptive reuse over demolition, so as the city’s bulldozers draw near, The Tanks team has started a petition on Change.org to save these pieces of Brooklyn’s industrial history.
More details

Architecture And Design

July 29, 2019

$5.3M former Williamsburg firehouse is a live-work find with a garage, basement, and bamboo garden

Williamsburg isn't exactly the first place you'd think to find a historic townhouse, so the former firehouse at 411 Kent Avenue on the Williamsburg waterfront is unique from the start. Built around 1920, this cool commercial property was last listed in 2014 for $6.4 million. The 3,300-square-foot, two-story building features massive open spaces, high ceilings, huge windows, multiple skylights, original wood floors, exposed brick, and exposed wood ceiling joists–an ideal live/work loft in a neighborhood where they're in short supply. It's back on the market for $5.3 million.
Tour this classic loft

Distinctive Homes

A weed dispensary is opening in Williamsburg

Via Google Street View

July 26, 2019

A weed dispensary is opening in Williamsburg

Williamsburg is getting its first weed dispensary. According to the Commercial Observer, Remedy will open its first New York City location at the ground floor of the Pod Hotel on North 4th Street. Valley Agriceuticals, which manages the dispensary, is one of 10 companies licensed by the state to grow and sell marijuana.
More here

Policy

July 19, 2019

Where I Work: Inside Monarch Theater, Williamsburg’s new modern Asian restaurant

By 6sqft

"Asian fusion" is undoubtedly one of the most popular categories on Seamless, but for restauranteurs Lawrence and Ayako Elliott, it wasn't about following the trends. "When we went out to dinner, we ate mostly [East] Asian food... so we wanted to create a menu that we would find interesting," Lawrence told 6sqft. And this is exactly what they did at their Metropolitan Avenue restaurant Monarch Theater, which opened in February. Not only is the food influenced by traditional East Asian cuisine, but the design of the two-story restaurant--which the Elliots worked on themselves--was inspired by the former theater that occupied the site. Ahead, take a look around and learn more about this new Williamsburg gem.
Look around!

July 17, 2019

$3.65M Williamsburg townhouse with an in-ground pool is a summer retreat in the city