China Developer Building $250M Condo Project in Williamsburg

Chinese investors have been buying New York City hotels, office towers and condominiums for years, but recently, some firms have begun to take the lead on major city projects. Oosten, a full-block condominium complex located at 429 Kent Avenue, between South 8th and South 9th Streets in Williamsburg, is one such project. 

The $250 million project is being developed by Xin Development Group International, an arm of a major China-based home-building firm.

The complex will have 216 apartments along with 15 townhouses and underground garages surrounding a 13,860-square-foot landscaped courtyard.

Below grade, there will be fitness center with a 55-foot pool; a rooftop deck with an outdoor pool is also planned.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2016.

Oosten is the Dutch word for east, which is a nod to New York’s Dutch origins and the fact that the condo sits east of Manhattan, and near the East River, according to its developers. Also, Piet Boon, Oosten’s architect, is from the Netherlands. And just as in English, “east” in Dutch is shorthand for Asia, which honors the developer’s home.

Xin isn’t the first developer to try to colonize the two-acre site, which for decades was part of a Schaefer beer brewery that closed in 1976.

The apartments, which will be completed by 2016, will be hefty by New York standards. Though the smallest will be one-bedrooms, with 690 square feet, the largest will have six bedrooms; there will be four of those.

All Oosten apartments will have floor-to-ceiling windows to drink in the views.

Condo units will feature hardwood floors, and limestone or marble baths, and apartments on the higher floors will enjoy East River views from this site, which is a block away from the waterfront.

Oosten will also offer 15 townhouses, which will line the side streets and have underground garages.

Amenity-wise, a 55-foot pool will shimmer in the basement fitness center; a shallower, reflecting version will top a roof.

There will also be a 90-space parking garage with spaces residents can lease separately.

Making bicycle travel convenient is a priority, so the garage will also be a place to stash bicycles.

The complex won’t be adding shops to its block, which sits near a housing project and empty factory buildings; a 10,000-square-foot community space will be leased as an art gallery.

Unit prices are expected to be competitive for the neighborhood, about $1,000 a square foot or starting at around $700,000 for one bedroom units, which is on par with South Williamsburg but below what Northside condos get.

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BUILDING AMENITIES
Featuring an unprecedented level of amenities, Oosten sets a new standard for living in Williamsburg, if not all of Brooklyn. With two lobbies, a 24-hour concierge, enormous courtyard, landscaped rooftop with a reflecting pool and outdoor grills, a gorgeous lap pool, and a fitness center with a spa, as well as a lounge and a children’s playroom, Oosten is a game changer. Oosten also offers private parking, private storage and bike storage.

WYTHE LOBBY
In the Wythe Lobby at the corner of South 8th Street, Piet Boon has reinterpreted Williamsburg’s industrial feel as a clean, modern space – replete with a welcoming fireplace – where concrete, wood and metal mingle harmoniously. Steps away, a not-for-profit art gallery serves as a showcase for local artists.

KENT LIBRARY
The Kent Library is a serene setting where residents can relax or work in peace on their laptop thanks to universal Wi-Fi. Cozy and inviting, this is a setting for all ages.

THE COURTYARD
In a neighborhood where green space is a rarity, Oosten is fortunate enough to boast nearly an acre at its heart. This lush, inviting courtyard is an idyllic place to play, sunbathe and unwind, and is adorned with plantings that will flower in warmer months.

ROOF DECK
A place to relax with friends after work or for an evening cocktail, the lushly landscaped rooftop lounge features a reflecting pool, lounge seating and a professional chef’s grill for outdoor cooking and entertaining.

SWIMMING POOL
Oosten is one of just a handful of Brooklyn developments to boast its own indoor pool, and what a pool it is. Generously sized, the pool receives natural light through a wall of windows that looks out onto a landscaped garden.

FITNESS CENTER
The Fitness Center ensures that you never pay for a health club membership again. It features a fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment, yoga room, sauna and steam room, as well as a juice bar for après workout refreshment.

LOUNGE
Before work and after the gym, Oosten residents will be able to relax in a Lounge area that is also available for private gatherings.


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