Tag Archives: Brooklyn real estate

BROOKLYN NO LONGER SECOND TO MANHATTAN

Posted on April 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

Updates on the real estate market

 via  Benjamin-Emile Hay/New York Observer

THESE DAYS MANY REALTORS are noticing that fur many luxury buyers and renters, Brooklyn has evolved into a borough of choice rather than a second rate alternative. With abundant green spaces, innovative top-notch restaurants, cultural diversity, a full-on social scene, fantastic shopping and world-class entertainment, Brooklyn offers plenty to do and see. Many flock to Brooklyn to capitalize on more spacious apartments and townhouses. Families find Brooklyn attractive for its community atmosphere and strong schools. The reasons that buyers and renters choose Brooklyn vary greatly, but the majority seem to hint at an improved overall quality of life.

“The renovation boom of the 60′s and 70′s began in Brooklyn. Shelter magazines like ‘Old House Journal’ were born as a result of Brownstone owners seeking to share their renovation experience with others. Whether it is the draw of the Ocean in and around Coney Island and Brighton or the proximity to Manhattan for people living in Brooklyn Heights or DUMBO Brooklyn is a destination for many. As Brooklyn has become more popular, the price for Brooklyn real estate has risen,” explained Michael Guerra, a long-time Brooklyn resident and Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Brooklyn.

MNS, an official alliance of The Developers Group and The Real Estate Group of New York, reported after the final quarterof 2011 that Brooklyn’s year over year median sales price was up 15%, Brooklyn Heights’ median sale price was up to $890K from $738,000 and Williamsburg popular high-rise, Edge, had the highest price per square foot closing at $l,142/sq.-ft. “We have been heartened to see the 2012 late winter-early spring market be extremely robust across all prices and property types (condos, coops and townhouses),” elaborated Mr. Guerra. According to MNS, Brooklyn rental rates seem to be down slightly on average at the end of February 2012, but market leader DUMBO still commands an average price of $4,964 per month for a two-bedroom.

For renters and buyers seeking hidden gems for less, they just might score big in neighborhoods such as Bushwick, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Clinton Hill, Red Hook and Crown Heights. Areas like Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Prospect Heights and Park Slope, which were once considered hotspots for having it all at lower costs, have changed significantly. “Williamsburg and Greenpoint are ever growing neighborhoods with limited inventory. This is resulting in properly priced properties flying off the shelves … I find with rental rates as high as parts of Manhattan, and real estate prices rising, the [some people] are being displaced,” said David Kazemi at BOND New York, a Brooklyn-focused broker.

75 Clinton in Brooklyn Heights

The demographic of people settling on Brooklyn has evolved beyond starving artists and bohemian families. Jacqueline Urgo, President of The Marketing Directors, Inc., 75 Clinton‘s exclusive marketing and leasing agent, commented: “We’re seeing a lot of interest from people who are leaving the crowdedness of Manhattan behind for what is a quieter, more peaceful environment in Brooklyn Heights—yet is only five minutes away.”

Steven M. Rutter, Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Stribling Marketing Associates, who represents 20 Henry Street said, “The demand for sales is very strong … More than 50% of the apartments in contract are buyers from Manhattan.”

The roof deck at 75 Clinton

ONE ELEMENT OF BROOKLYN’S DNA that pulls in many renters and buyers is the diverse neighborhoods and intermingled cultures. “Brooklyn has also benefited from and been transformed by wave after wave of immigrants over the past few decades. Each wave of immigration results in new residents carving out homes in areas that are attractive to them. In addition to the influx of new neighbors, immigrants also add to the fabric of Brooklyn by starting new businesses and introducing new things,” Mr. Guerra highlighted. This is a characteristic of the borough that is sure to continue.

It’s no secret that the spatial confines of Brooklyn beat most areas of Manhattan. Whether a buyer or renter is looking in Williamsburg or Prospect Heights, many will discover their dollar goes farther in getting them more square footage. “We’re seeing a lot more buyers coming from Manhattan. These buyers are primarily looking for space, and in places like Brooklyn Heights, they know they can find larger spaces at a better price than in comparable downtown neighborhoods like Tribeca,” pointed out Laurie Zucker Vice Chair, Manhattan Skyline Management Corp., which represents Brooklyn Heights’ Love Lane Mews.

New Yorkers are constantly on the go and for many residents that commute back into Manhattan for work or social life, convenient transportation is key. “Buyers are moving to properties with better access to transportation and are willing to forego character for proximity to trains,” said Terry Naini, Senior Vice President Associate Broker at Town Real Estate.

Many of the neighborhoods with cabs aplenty, extensive subway options or lines that are easy to transfer from, have already hit the ceiling in terms of price points. She continued: “A number of neighborhoods have peaked: Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and Fort Greene.” With the Barclays Center and recent high-rise con-struction in Downtown Brooklyn, Ms. Naini agrees that “there is no neighborhood better suited to become the most expensive neighborhood in Brooklyn, It is at the center of beautiful peaked neighborhoods (DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene and Boerum Hill) yet on top of all the train lines with much development in the works.”

Projects such as the revitalization of downtown and the Barclays Center, will unquestionably lead to the advancement of the borough’s landscape. “Brooklyn is really a quilt of different neighborhoods, each with its own characteristics and appeal.” Mr. Guerra concluded, “One trend that continues on both sides of the river now is a steady stream of development of housing for all tastes and household sizes, but particularly luxury residential development.” With a steady influx of new buildings, the constant expansion of certain neighborhoods and escalating migration of Manhattanites (as well as new-fangled New Yorkers), Brooklyn’s real estate market is guaranteed to remain robust.

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Brooklyn Condos Converted to Luxury Rentals

Posted on March 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

By Keith Loria, Contributing Writer/Multi-Housing News

New York—On the heals of a successful lease-up of the 95-home Arias Park Slope rental building, The Marketing Directors Inc. was chosen by Invesco to direct the marketing and leasing for 75 Clinton in Brooklyn Heights.

“These were originally built as condos, so it is a very high end property with luxury finishes,” Angela Ferrara, vice president of sales for The Marketing Directors, tells MHN. “From the generous layouts, the appliance package and all wood floors throughout, it is definitely not your typical rental building.”

Owned by Invesco and managed by Milestone Management, 75 Clinton is a nine-story luxury rental building featuring 74 upscale residences in the heart of Brooklyn Heights. Monthly rents start at $2,800 for studios, $3,210 for studios with home offices, $3,660 for one-bedroom residences, $5,000 for two-bedroom layouts and $7,630 for three-bedroom homes.

“There is a lot of diversity as far as the different space offerings,” Ferrara says. “It offers a 24-hour doorman, bike storage, a fitness room and a beautiful roof deck with city views. You can sit on the ninth floor and see the Verrazano Bridge and it’s pretty spectacular.”

Rawlings Architects designed the units at 75 Clinton, and each features bamboo floors, high ceilings, kitchens with stone countertops and backsplashes, and stainless steel Bosch and Liebherr appliances. Each unit also includes a washer and dryer and an audio/video intercom system.

Its proximity to numerous subway lines is also seen as a big selling point for Manhattanites considering the move to Brooklyn.

“I think particularly for 75 Clinton, the proximity to the city is the No. 1 draw. This is a more economical and neighborhood feel and the proximity is negligible,” Ferrara says. “There’s so many modes of transportation, but the subway can get you within a few blocks walking distance from the 4, 5, N, R, 1 and 2 trains. In fact, it takes less time to get to downtown Manhattan from here than it would the Upper East or West side.”

This is the third Brooklyn-based property that The Marketing Directors has been involved in since November. In addition to leasing the Park Slope property in less than five months, it was also named to market Midwood Investment & Development’s newest luxury rental development at 285 Broadway in Williamsburg.

“We started our Brooklyn career at 150 4th Ave in Park Slope, and based on our success there, we were able to parlay that into two additional jobs in Brooklyn,” Ferrara says. “Brooklyn is huge and has a lot of opportunity, unlike Manhattan, which feels like it is getting smaller and smaller. There is a lot of opportunity for new construction it’s been pretty great.”

Currently, 73 units are up to rent and immediate occupancy is available.

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MARKETING DIRECTORS ADDS 75 CLINTON TO EXPANDING BROOKLYN PRESENCE

Posted on March 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

Designed by Rawlings Architects, 75 Clinton’s elegant homes feature a host of condominium-level finishes and appointments, including bamboo floors, high ceiling heights ranging from 9’6” to over 12’, and kitchens with stone countertops and backsplashes and stainless steel Bosch and Liebherr appliances.

NEW YORK, NY (March 8, 2012) – For the third time in less than a year, The Marketing Directors, Inc. has emerged as the preferred choice to bring a newBrooklyn development to market.

The 30 year-old Manhattan-based firm has been named the exclusive marketing and leasing agent for 75 Clinton, a nine-story luxury rental building featuring 74 upscale residences in the heart of Brooklyn Heights.

The new assignment follows the Marketing Directors’ successful lease-up of the 95-home Arias Park Slope rental building in less than five months and the recent announcement that it will direct the marketing and leasing for Midwood Investment & Development’s newest luxury rental development at 285 Broadway inWilliamsburg.

The Marketing Directors officially launched the leasing program at 75 Clinton this week for the property’s new owner, Invesco, and Property Manager, Milestone Management.  Monthly rents start at $2,800 for studios, $3,210 for studios with home offices, $3,660 for one-bedroom residences, $5,000 for two-bedroom layouts and $7,630 for three-bedroom homes.  Immediate occupancy is available.

“Originally conceived as a condominium, 75 Clinton offers expansive residences with a level of finishes that is truly outstanding,” notes Jacqueline Urgo, President of The Marketing Directors, Inc.  “Coveted amenities such as a 24-hour attended lobby, on-site fitness center, and a landscaped roofdeck with breathtaking views combine with a sought-after Brooklyn Heights location to create an exceptional lifestyle experience.”

Centrally located amidst the vibrant Brooklyn Heights neighborhood, 75 Clinton puts residents in the heart of a dynamic offering of shopping, culture, dining, and nightlife.  Just steps away from the building is easy access to transportation to Manhattan, including the R, N, 4, 5, 1 and 2 trains.  Just minutes from the property is The Promenade, a scenic third-of-a-mile waterfront stretch offering iconic views of lower Manhattan, South Street Seaport, the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. 

Designed by Rawlings Architects, 75 Clinton’s elegant homes feature a host of condominium-level finishes and appointments, including bamboo floors, high ceiling heights  ranging from 9’6” to over 12’, and kitchens with stone countertops and backsplashes and stainless steel Bosch and Liebherr appliances.  Every home includes an audio/video intercom system and a washer and dryer, while many residences feature private outdoor space.

For more information on 75 Clinton and to schedule a private appointment to view a model home, call 718-517-3170 or visit the community’s website at www.75clinton.com.

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About The Marketing Directors

The Marketing Directors is a full-service marketing and sales/rental organization specializing in new homes and recognized as a national leader in high density residential development serving many of the industry’s most prominent developers across the United Statesand Canadasince 1980.  The company is led by founder Adrienne Albert, who was inducted into the National Sales and Marketing Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Hall of Fame as a Legend of Residential Marketing in 2009 — the first woman to be inducted into the “Hall” in its 16-year history.  Jacqueline Urgo leads the NE operation.  David Tuftsleads The Marketing Directors, SE formed in 2007.  The Marketing Directors presently represents condominium and rental developers in markets such as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Toronto.  For more information, call 212-826-8822 or visit www.themarketingdirectorsinc.com

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Aroza Sanjana: Broker with time on her side

Posted on February 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

By Roslyn Lo/BROKERS WEEKLY

AROZA SANJANA OF WARREN LEWIS REALTY

As her firm launches sates al the new eco-friendly Jade 8 in Gowanus this month, Warren Lewis Realty president Aroza Sanjana is feeling some good karma.

“Jade 8 is a nice match for what we stand for,” said Sanjana, a former sales executive who founded her own real estate development firm and who purchased the Brooklyn-based Warren Lewis brokerage last year.

Describing the luxury condo as “modern” and “cutting-edge,” while still adhering to traditional Brooklyn architecture, Sanjana said she has tried to breathe new life into the 25-year old firm from the top down.

Since taking the helm early in 2011, she has hired a stable of top brokers, streamlined the Park Slope company’s website, obtained REBNY accreditation and opened a second office in Williamsburg.

“It’s been a wonderful experience from day one,” said India-born Sanjana, who moved to New York City with her family when she was 12.

Sanjana attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan and then went on to Barnard College, where she studied Psychology and Economics.

She began her career with AT&T in the computer division before earning her MBA and becoming and executive in the Strategic Business Unit of telecommunications giant, MCI. But overseeing 150 sales people and $230 million in revenue demanded significant time on the road

and, with two teenaged sons at home — one of whom is Autistic — Sanjana wanted to devote more time to them.

“Traveling was taking away from time with my family. When they saw my suitcase, it was heart wrenching. I wanted to be able to come home every night. I looked for an alternate career that would let me be there when my sons needed me,” she said.

That’s when Sanjana plunged head first into real estate, becoming a sales person and a REBNY New York Residential Specialist. Within two years, she founded Atlantic Realty Partners, a brokerage that specialized in new development condominiums throughout New York City.

While the global recession adversely impacted sales, apartment rentals have enjoyed steady growth, particularly in Brooklyn where average monthly rents have steadily climbed since 2009. Brooklyn’s 4Q11 average was $2,311, 12.53% higher than the first quarter of 2010, according to the most recent MNS Brooklyn Rental Market Report.

Sanjana leveraged her success at ARP to partner with her husband, Jose Nunez, on the purchase of Warren Lewis Realty, a company she said stood out on the local real estate scene as among the most reputable.

“People spoke highly of them,” Sanjana said of her decision, “And Park Slope is such a great neighborhood. You walk around and it feels like a small town. You wave to everyone as you walk by, the store owners know you, and friendships have been there for 20 years.” Despite recent expansion, she said her focus is to keep Warren Lewis Realty — which has been specializing primarily in Brooklyn property since 1987 — centered on New York’s most populous borough.

“People find that our site is extremely easy to use,” she said. “Open the website, and Brooklyn real estate is right there. It speaks to who we are.”

JADE 8

Sanjana is excited to be launching sales at Jade 8 in the emerging Gowanus market, where rumors of re-zoning are fueling a land rush among residential developers.

With one contract already signed for the most expensive unit in the building — a 1,475 s/f penthouse — Sanjana said she’s confident the building will be a hit.

“Selling one of our highest priced homes just as we’re officially launching the building demonstrates the appeal of Jade 8 and the level of confidence buyers are already expressing in this unique new residential building,” she said. “The combination of dramatic living spaces, upscale finishes and appointments, advanced energy-efficient systems and materials, and a limited offering which translates to a more intimate lifestyle and a quicker sell-out, is already proving to be a winning formula.”

The eight-unit condo at 186 8th Street includes two-bedroom simplexes with private balconies, one-bedroom garden duplexes, and three-bedroom Penthouse duplexes with balconies and private decks priced from $725,000 to $1,150,000.

State-of-the-art Green construction techniques will provide greater comfort and lower energy bills as energy-saving features make them more efficient than conventional

condos, said Sanjana, adding that buyers will be able to immerse themselves in a community that now boasts a vibrant selection of galleries and restaurants and the classic urban feel of a factory-filled neighborhood reclaimed by entrepreneurs and artists.

Warren Lewis Realty is also listing some select Park Slope properties, including a $2.45 million seven bedroom brownstone on Third Street and a $ 1.15 million 6th Avenue penthouse.

In keeping with tradition, Sanjana has continued Warren Lewis Realty’s unique multi-bid system, where offers from clients are openly negotiated.

And while business continues to boom, Sanjana said the biggest bonus to her success in real estate has been the opportunity to spend more time with her family.

No longer on the road, she has been able to strengthen her philanthropic endeavors in education and autism awareness and focus on her kids. “The nice part is we get to spend time with each other now,” she said.

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Another Bklyn condo project goes rental

Posted on January 31, 2012 | Leave a comment

Despite some signs of more demand from buyers for high-end housing, a new owner opts for the safer route of leasing units.

via Crains New York

Despite signs that the market for residential condominiums in Brooklyn may be regaining its feet, one owner is having none of it.

The new owner of 75 Clinton St. in Brooklyn Heights, a property that was originally planned as a 74-unit condo conversion, will instead bring it to market early next month as a rental, according to Angela Ferrara, vice president of sales for The Marketing Directors, which was retained as the project’s exclusive marketing firm.

The news comes just a week after Invesco, a Dallas-based investment firm, closed on the purchase of the building for an undisclosed price and named Milestone Management the property’s manager. It was that firm that then tapped Marketing Directors.

Just last month Invesco paid a reported $57.5 million for a 95-unit residential building called Arias Park Slope in that eponymous Brooklyn neighborhood. That property too had been conceived as a condo, but had recently been successfully re-positioned as a rental with Marketing Directors as the agent there, as well.

“75 Clinton was built as a condo so the level of finishes is amazing,” said Ms. Ferrara, adding her firm’s experience with the Arias, which it leased up in under five months, would seem to bode well for the property in Brooklyn Heights. “Renters will be getting multi-million dollar homes for far less than they would have paid if they bought it.”

Rents will range from $2,800 a month to $7,000 a month, depending on the size of the apartment. The nine-story building, which features a view of the Brooklyn Bridge above the fifth floor, has studios to three bedroom apartments.

The penthouses with 957 square feet outdoor space will go for around $8,000 a month. According to Streeteasy.com, studios were being sold for a minimum of $435,000 and two bedrooms were being sold for as much as $1.3 million. The original developer of the conversion was Marshall Weisman, according to published reports.

While apartments were being marketed by The Corcoran Group a few years ago while the project was underway, the condo plan was never declared effective, according to Ms. Ferrara.

“The rental market is booming,” she said, adding that while rentals in Brooklyn especially prime areas like Brooklyn Heights are attractive because it is still cheaper than Manhattan, where rents of $70 to $80 per square foot. For instance, rents at 75 Clinton St. range from $50 to $60 per square foot.

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WARREN LEWIS OFFICIALLY OPENS JADE 8 CONDOMINIUMS WITH ONE LUXURY PENTHOUSE ALREADY SOLD

Posted on January 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

JADE 8 CONDOMINIUMS

BROOKLYN — Jade 8 (www.jade8condos.com), an exclusive collection of just eight “Green” condominiums in Brooklyn’s fashionable Gowanus neighborhood, has opened its doors to the public with one contract already signed.

Interestingly, the initial sale at Jade 8 was for one of the most expensive homes in the cutting-edge, four-story building: a 1,475 square-foot Penthouse duplex, according to Warren Lewis Realty, the exclusive marketing and sales agent for the upscale offering of eco-chic residences which is located just steps from the subway and the hip restaurants, stores and artist studios that define this neighborhood.

The two-story penthouse residence features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spectacular upper-level master suite and 365 square feet of private outdoor space thanks to a huge deck off the master bedroom and separate terrace off the living and dining room.

The distinctive mix of homes at Jade 8 includes generous two-bedroom simplexes with private balconies, oversized one-bedroom garden duplexes, and another three-bedroom Penthouse duplex with balcony and expansive private deck. Residences range in size from 905 to 1,475 square feet at prices ranging from $725,000 to $1,150,000

“Selling one of our highest priced homes just as we’re officially launching the building demonstrates the appeal of Jade 8 and the level of confidence buyers are already expressing in this unique new residential building,” notes Aroza Sanjana, President of the locally-based Warren Lewis Realty. “The combination of dramatic living spaces, upscale finishes and appointments, advanced energy-efficient systems and materials, and a limited offering which translates to a more intimate lifestyle and a quicker sell-out, is already proving to be a winning formula.”

Located at 186 8th Street, Jade 8 is being developed by an experienced builder with two LEED-certified Brooklyn developments to his credit. Jade 8 was designed with an environmentally-sensitive approach to new construction. State-of-the-art Green construction techniques will allow residences to provide greater comfort and lower energy bills and include energy-saving features that make them significantly more efficient than conventional condominium homes.

Included in the healthier and more efficient lifestyle awaiting homeowners at Jade 8 are fresh air filtration systems via heat recovery ventilation (“HRV”), Low VOC paint, LED lighting, energy-efficient Loewen windows and recycled materials such as sound insulation for the floors and Caesar stone kitchen countertops.

The building’s rain screen façade insulates, ventilates and deflects moisture, while a “Green” roof further promotes drainage and cooling. Each residence also has high-efficiency heat pumps and A/C units, providing homeowners the option to purchase Green energy resulting in a zero carbon footprint. Kitchens are equipped with magnetic induction cook tops and convection ovens resulting in a cooler, more efficient cooking environment.

Designed by Sears-Tambasco Architects, Jade 8 features a striking exterior notable for its smooth orange and light grey façade with contemporary windows and upscale accents and details — a modern interpretation of traditional Brooklyn architecture. The common Green roof is currently being planted and will provide residents additional shared outdoor space.

“Residents of Jade 8 will enjoy all of Brooklyn’s unique and exciting appeal, including a vibrant selection of galleries and restaurants and the classic urban feel of a factory-filled neighborhood reclaimed by entrepreneurs and artists.” says Virginia Hunter, VP, Associate Broker at Warren Lewis Realty.

For more information on Jade 8, please call 347-868-6988, or visit the website at www.jade8condos.com.

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About Warren Lewis Realty

Warren Lewis Realty has been specializing in the Brooklyn real estate business since 1987, expertly helping clients to sell, buy and rent houses, co-ops and condominiums in Park Slope and throughout the borough. The agency currently employs 23 sales and leasing agents who average over a dozen years of experience each and are all more than qualified to provide clients with the best service available. For more information, call (718) 638-6500, or visit the website at www.warrenlewis.com.

 

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Park Slope Firm Expands To Williamsburg

Posted on December 19, 2011 | Leave a comment

via The Real Deal

Venerable Park Slope brokerage Warren Lewis Realty is expanding outside the neighborhood for the first time. The 25-year-old firm is taking over Prudential Douglas Elliman’s old office at 299 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, according to Warren Lewis president Aroza Sanjana. The 1,600-square-foot location, which Elliman vacated last year after moving into a bigger office, is slated to open in January, she said.

Sanjana has been shaking things up at Warren Lewis since taking the reigns earlier this year, when she folded her company, Atlantic Realty Partners, into the well-known brokerage and moved into its space on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope. She recently hired top Corcoran broker Wassim Fakhereddine, bringing the current stable of full-time Warren Lewis agents to 18.

Williamsburg might seem like an unusual place for a new Warren Lewis location. After all, the hipster-heavy neighborhood has a very different reputation from the family-friendly brownstones of Park Slope. But the two areas actually have a lot in common, Sanjana said, including a focus on home seekers from Manhattan.

“Manhattan buyers come to Brooklyn and say, ‘I’m told I should be looking at Park Slope and Williamsburg,’” she said. Because Warren Lewis already has considerable name recognition in Park Slope, Williamsburg seemed like the logical next step, she said.

Moreover, both neighborhoods appreciate home-grown brands, Sanjana said, adding that she feels her firm is a much better fit for Williamsburg than Elliman.

“The neighborhood’s independent spirit just doesn’t match the big firms,” she said. “People appreciate a local sensibility.”  By Adam Fusfeld

 

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Green’ Gowanus Condo Launches Sales

Posted on December 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

Green Elements Include Rain Screen Façade, Recycled Materials

By LINDA COLLINS/BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE

GOWANUS — Warren Lewis Realty has launched preview sales at Jade 8, a new green condominium in Gowanus that will have its grand opening in January.

The boutique development, at 186 Eighth St., between Third and Fourth avenues, contains eight units described as “eco-chic and modern” in a cutting-edge four-story building.

It is a project of a local developer, operating as Trident Developers NY LLC, who is described by Warren Lewis’ president, Aroza Sanjana, as “an experienced builder with two LEED-certified Brooklyn developments to his credit.” Jade 8 includes two-bedroom simplexes with private balconies, one-bedroom garden duplexes and three-bedroom penthouse duplexes with balconies and private decks.

They are large units, ranging in size from 905 to 1,475 square feet and in price from $725,000 to $1.15 million, according to Sanjana, who is overseeing the marketing and sales effort.

“We are delighted to introduce Jade 8 to the Gowanus neighborhood, admired for its dynamic urban transformation and convenient access to Manhattan,” said Sanjana.

Designed by Sears-Tambasco Architects, the project was created with an environmentally sensitive approach featuring state-of-the-art green construction techniques, which will result in lower energy bills, Sanjana said.

Additional green elements include a fresh air filtration system via heat recovery ventilation (HRV), low-VOC paint, LED lighting, energy-efficient Loewen windows, sound insulation for the floors and Caesar stone kitchen countertops.

The building’s rain screen façade insulates, ventilates and deflects moisture, while a green roof further promotes drainage and cooling.

Each residence also has high-efficiency heat pumps and A/C units, providing homeowners the option to purchase green energy that will result in zero carbon footprint. Kitchens are equipped with magnetic induction cook tops and convection ovens resulting in a cooler, more efficient cooking environment.

The common green roof is currently being planted and will provide residents with additional shared outdoor space. “Residents will enjoy [the] vibrant selection of galleries and restaurants and the classic urban feel of a factory-filled neighborhood reclaimed by entrepreneurs and artists,” said Virginia Hunter, vice president and associate broker at Warren Lewis Realty.

 

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ONE-BEDROOM MODEL HOME UNVIELED AT ARIAS PARK SLOPE RENTAL BUILDING

Posted on November 9, 2011 | Leave a comment

BROOKLYN – The versatility, appeal, and comfort of the one-bedroom layouts at Arias Park Slope is on full display with the recent debut of a new model residence at the Ismael Leyva-designed 12-story rental building on 4th Avenue in this Brooklyn neighborhood.

The fully-furnished home allows visitors to visualize the functional one-bedroom layouts and experience the magnificently-appointed living spaces that have led to more than 90% of the residences at Arias Park Slope leased in just five months.

Monthly rents for one-bedroom homes currently start from the $2,900’s. The residences are available for Immediate Occupancy and most feature balconies and terraces.

“Our incredible leasing success has left us with only a handful of one-bedroom homes,” says Shloimy Reichman, a principal with The Iconic Group, the development team behind the 95-home luxury rental development. “Our new model will allow prospective renters to truly envision how these few remaining residences will fulfill their lifestyle.”

Originally conceived as a condominium, the new building is notable for its multi-toned brick façade which has been inspired by neighboring brownstones and is punctuated by expansive windows, floating glass balconies, and a four-story glass curtain wall that optimizes natural light and captivating views of Prospect Park and the Manhattan skyline.

“Found throughout the homes are high ceilings, solid white oak flooring and chef-inspired kitchens with polished white stone countertops, custom European design white oak cabinetry, breakfast bar and fully-equipped stainless steel appliances,” notes Jacqueline Urgo, President of The Marketing Directors, Inc., the exclusive marketing and leasing agent for Arias Park Slope. “Bathrooms are equally impressive, offering marble vanity tops, polished chrome fixtures and deluxe soaking tubs. Most homes also have private terraces or balconies for desirable outdoor space.”

Unrivaled in today’s rental marketplace, the world-class amenities at Arias Park Slope are highlighted by the landscaped Arias Club 360° rooftop terrace, which boasts private cabanas and sun beds overlooking a lush landscaped lawn, a soothing water feature, a massive fire pit with seating, a grill, bar, dining area and incredible views of the Manhattan skyline, Verrazano Bridge and Prospect Park.

Residents of Arias Park Slope enjoy the added benefit of Arias Health and Wellness which provides an array of services and classes at an additional cost. These include group yoga, abdominal and core, kickboxing and Pilates classes, personal training sessions, nutritional consultation, massage therapy and acupuncture treatments.

And the comprehensive living experience at Arias Park Slope does not end there. Arias Courtyard offers a putting green and seating area and the Arias Terrace which features an outdoor garden and seating area. Additional indoor amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, Yoga room and a residents’ lounge featuring a catering kitchen & bar, billiards, plasma TV and a fireplace.

For additional information on Arias Park Slope, please call (718) 643-1500 or visit www.AriasParkSlope.com.

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BROOKLYN: No Longer a Manhattan Alternative

Posted on October 6, 2011 | Leave a comment

By Sonia Samuel/New York Observer

Arias at 150 Fourth in Park Slope one bedroom living room

The migration of Manhattanites into Brooklyn hit its highest mark in 2006 and we are beginning to see that trend yet again. “Initially people were coming here to purchase condos, co-ops and apartments but we didnt see a heavy rental market. But in the last five years due to rise in rental prices in Manhattan, more Manhattanites are moving to Brooklyn” Says Peggy Aguayo, Principal Broker and Owner of Aguayo and Heubener.

Brooklyn is no more a “second option” to Manhattan. In fact an increasing number of people want to move to Brooklyn and away from the city’s hustle and bustle where they can find a larger apartment for lesser value. At the same time one can still have bars, restaurants, parks and amenities nearby, along with a quieter more ‘neighborhood feel’.

The most popular areas are Park slope. Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo and Williamsburg. Brokers are seeing mixed demographics that are moving to these areas but leaning towards “18-49 years while Williamsburg, a trendy, cutting edge area is seeing a more 25-35 years age group” Says Vicki Negron, Senior Vice President at Corcoran.

One of Park Slope’s popular developments is the Arias at 4th avenue. The Arias was initially built and developed as a condominium by Iconic Group, but the development team then decided to go rental. The building was 90% leased out within just five months of its opening. That’s 86 homes in five months! That’s how hot rental property is now in Brooklyn. State of the art amenities such as a fitness area, yoga room and a residents lounge; stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and the surrounding area; and a sense of community, all while being conveniently located, makes Alias a hot seller. “7th avenue was always congested, with restaurants, bars, coffee shops population and 6th avenue was more residential. Now 5th avenue has evolved, 10 years later. And as a natural progression moving down the avenues, there are stores, bars and restaurants coming up towards 4th avenue” says Jacqueline Urgo, President of Marketing Directors.

DUMBO is another area that has evolved from what it was in the 18th century. DUMBO (Down the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) used to be an industrial area with factories, warehouses and dock storehouses. These old factories were then converted into Luxury lofts and apartments. But David Walentas, founder of Two Trees Management was really the one that pioneered the development and transformation of the area. Today DUMBO is a charming and vibrant neighborhood with a mix of retail and artistic activity. As DUMBONYC defines it: Dumbo is not quite Brooklyn brownstone and not quite Manhattan glass condos, It has a unique character of its own. It is attracting a number of families and Manhattanites and the rental prices are on power with Manhattan.

Recent development, GAIR2 by Two Trees Management is the hottest and most expensive property in the area with an average of $57 per sq foot. It was named after the original architect Robert Gair, who built the property in 1901; the building maintains a historic exterior but an ultra modernized interior. The list of amenities is endless, from Bosch washer and dryers in every apartment to a golf simulator. In less than 2 and 14 months, 106 apartments were leased. “We wanted to create something true to the DUMBO area “says Asher Abehsera, VP of Residential Properties at Two Trees Management.

As more people flock to Brooklyn, rental customers are taking lesser time to make their decision as they understand the market situation. “We are seeing no negotiating on prices, no concessions and only very large buildings that are doing their initial lease up, paying the broker fees. Condo owners renting their units out are getting fantastic numbers. In Williamsburg, anything with a view on the waterfront or in a building with amenities are seeing fantastic rental numbers.” explains Sarah Burke, Executive Vice President and Director of Sales, Prudential Douglas Elliman.

According to a report provided by MNS, August 2011, the top 3 expensive rental areas for 2 bedroom apartments were Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights and Boreum Hill (in that order). The report also shows that Dumbo, Parkslope and Williamsburg are the top areas in Brooklyn that saw a steady rise in prices in studio, one bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments.

With the pace of development, super sleek buildings and a relaxed neighborhood, increasing number of people are finding it feasible to live in Brooklyn. “Brooklyn was a trickle down from Manhattan” says Aguayo. “But as vacancy rates fall, Brooklyn has definitely become a preferred place over the latter”.

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