By Sarah Trefethen
Williamsburg Social is bringing Manhattan-like amenities to the mean streets of Northern Brooklyn.
“Many of the buildings in Williamsburg have very limited amenities,” said Ben Shaoul of Magnum Real Estate Group, which took over the property last year in partnership with SL Green.
“We see this neighborhood as something that’s the equivalent of the West Village. It’s a luxury neighborhood, and people who live in a luxury neighborhood want a conference room. They want a place they can play pool with their friends. If they have kids, they want to have a space where their kids can play outside.”
Residents started moving into the development on North 3rd Street between Bedford Avenue and Berry Street last month.
Rental apartments are divided between two buildings, with 28 units in 250 Bedford Avenue and 44 units in 129 North 3rd Street.
The studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments range in size from 423 s/f to 1,126 s/f, and rent runs $2,600 to $6,995 per month.
Residents have access to the rooftops and common space of both buildings — so if one is crowded you can try next door.
Amenities designer Paris Forino is behind the thoughtfully appointed outdoor spaces, which feature ample lounge chairs, barbecue grills, outdoor showers and power outlets for plugging in appliances.
“The rooftops here are a big deal. This building has a lot of common space, and that’s helping rent the units,” said leasing agent Angel Guzman, of aptsandlofts.com.
Indoors, residents can share a large dining room, kitchen and bar; two conference rooms; a billiards table and two TV areas.
The development was originally intended as a condominium, and a block of townhouses between the two apartment buildings are being marketed for sale by MNS Real Estate. But even the rentals are decked out with condo-like finishes, including brand-name appliances, a washer and dryer and custom white oak flooring. Bathrooms have marble flooring, oversized shower heads and deep soaking tubs.
Portions of the roof are fenced off as separate cabanas that were going to be sold with the condos, but are now available for tenants to reserve, Guzman said.
Other amenities include a part-time doorman, package room with cold storage for grocery deliveries, and a bike rack in the courtyard. The new CitiBike rack across the street has also been attractive to buyers, according to Guzman.
Retail in the neighborhood is dominated by small restaurants, cafes and boutique shops, but the ground floor of Williamsburg Social is home to a Duane Reade and a branch of HSBC branch.
“[Williamsburg] has grown. It’s not a new neighborhood. It’s got a foundation,” Shaoul said.
Residents who are moving in now may have to contend with a little construction noise from the new Whole Foods being built on the northern half of the same block, directly adjacent to Williamsburg Social.
This project is the first foray into the Williamsburg market for Magnum and SL Green. “I’d probably say it’s the first of many,” Shaoul said.
