Residential design to complement Williamsburg.

Nestled along the river bordering the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Greenpoint, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick, Williamsburg is one of New York City's most eclectic areas.

Synonymous with New York City hipsters, artists, and alternative rock bands -- and populated by a range of ethnic groups, Williamsburg offers easy access to Manhattan and is recognized as one of New York's fastest-changing neighborhoods.

Accelerating the transformation of this formerly gritty industrial area was the City of New York's Greenpoint-Williamsburg rezoning initiative. The plan triggered changes allowing for housing and open spaces, in tandem with light industry and commercial uses, along the East River waterfront and upland neighborhoods. The urban strategy would facilitate new housing and local commercial development, and foster the creation of a new, 27.8-acre waterfront park. The rezoning was designed to transform two communities that had been significantly vacant and derelict for years. It has created opportunities for thousands of new housing units, including affordable housing. Special considerations, such as height limits, ensure that new buildings fit within their surroundings.

Quickly becoming one of New York City's most desirable neighborhoods, Williamsburg is well known for its rich history and contemporary style. The area draws people throughout Brooklyn to its trendsetting shops like American Apparel and Brooklyn Industries' flagship store. The neighborhood's popularity is also boosted by its wide variety of restaurants, boutiques, bars and nightclubs.

The New York City office of GreenbergFarrow, a nationally prominent architectural, planning, engineering and development consulting firm, has designed two new residential projects in Williamsburg, thereby helping to drive change in a previously bohemian area. The firm employs a strategic approach called "Collective Design Intelligence" that integrates various design and engineering disciplines into a fully engaged whole. Once a project's unique opportunities are identified and prioritized, we draw upon the firm's diverse talent, as well as local specialists, to individually configure teams of experts who are uniquely capable of maximizing a project's potential.

Recently, the firm was tapped by Steiner NYC to transform the longshuttered site of the Old Dutch Mustard Company into a warehouse-influenced condominium and townhouse development known as "80 Metropolitan." Inspired by the community's industrial history, the new six-story building will house 114 lofts adjoined by nine three-story townhouses. The project is intended to stand as a chic and modern building that evokes the character of a neighborhood once dominated by factories and warehouses.

Located at the corner of Metropolitan and Wythe Avenues, 80 Metropolitan will be topped by 24 rooftop cabanas available for purchase by homeowners. The loft condominiums range in size from 529-square-foot studios to 1,483square-foot three-bedroom units. Townhouses are more than 2,000 square feet, with three bedrooms, private backyards and second-floor terraces.

Original plans had envisioned the incorporation of the factory directly into the new development's design plans. But after weighing construction code issues, handicapped access and several initial design schemes, a decision was made to build from the ground up and create a residential complex that would capture the neighborhood's historic architectural style motif. The project is scheduled to open in early 2009.

Another GreenbergFarrow project in Williamsburg, North 8th Condominiums, is a loft-style, 40-unit, six-story complex that is seamlessly integrated into this hot neighborhood. The property's Normansize brick and window-wall glass give it a high-end appearance. The site consists of one-, two-, and three-bedroom condominiums, along with an assortment of townhouses.

Developed by Toll Brothers, GreenbergFarrow designed the Kent Avenue property to maximize return on investment. With this in mind, the North 8th design team created a "single-loaded" residential configuration where nearly every unit includes floor-to-ceiling windows with East River skyline views.

To boost value, the design minimizes the number of courtyard-facing units by configuring them as multi-level townhouses, each with individual backyards. With occupancy beginning this spring, residents have access to rooftop cabanas with views of Manhattan and the East River State Park.

Williamsburg is one of New York City's most transient neighborhoods, evolving from a thriving business and industrial center in the early 1900s to an edgy melting pot of artists, musicians and ethnicities in the 1980s. The transformation of this in-demand neighborhood does not show signs of slowing.

Our firm is proud to be one of the creative forces helping to drive change in this area by transforming formerly blighted properties into chic, sought-after living spaces.

BY NAVID MAQAMI, PRINCIPAL OF

ARCHITECTURE, GREENBERGFARROW