Waterfront
Following the passage of the 2005 rezoning act, several investors took advantage of the various opportunities awarded under the inclusionary plan. Along the waterfront, where the restrictions on height and density are limited, large condos have sprung up. For example, the Northside Pier condos received permission from the city to build 3 large condominiums with a total of 900 apartments along the waterfront (Apgar et al, 2007). Currently, only the Northwest and South Northside pier condos have been completed (see picture to right), but the third condo is supposed to be completed in a few years. The Northside Pier condos epitomize the gentrification of the Williamsburg-Greenpoint area as the condos may cost over one million dollars (Northside Piers). Furthermore, the condos for sale consist of mostly two bedrooms, suggesting that the investors want to attract singles and couples, not families.
Upland
On the upland of Williamsburg-Greenpoint most of the residential structures are beneath 6 stories high. However, it should be noted that several “fingers” or thin and tall residential buildings have been built on the upland.
As people began to move into the newly constructed luxury apartments and condos, the neighborhood demand for high quality goods increases. Consequently, Williamsburg-Greenpoint has seen an influx of woman’s boutiques, gourmet food shops, restaurants, and art galleries. On the other hand, there has been a rapid disappearance of the older stores that cater to the poorer in the neighborhood as prices continue to swell due to gentrification.
