The Oakland

given where it is in Williamsburg I would say overpriced by at least 20 percent

I've been to the open house there. Its a nice building. Nice amenities: parking, gym, garden, common deck area. The 1 BRs are standard layouts. The windows with the built in shades are just tacky. I mean they are quality in terms of material but really weird looking. Also there is only one closet in the 1BR units. The location is not great. Its nestled between to two parks but is a good distance from the waterfront. I think the prices are reasonable in comparison to other offerings in the area but overpriced in general.

Agreed. The Oakland is a bit pricey.

This is certainly NOT Williamsburg - it's a decent Greenpoint location, but to market it as Williamsburg is pretty disingenuous. Haven't seen the interiors, but from the outside the building's pretty nice, and layouts seem ok. The only concern is the noise from McGuinness (lots of trucks use the route to the BQE).

I agree, location not great, if they were flexible on price and got below $500/sf I bet they would attract some interest.

i agree its a bit pricey, but they are about 50% in contract and they expect to be moved in by end of the year.

Who raises their prices when all others are still lowering prices? Do they think buyers are that stupid?!Such a turn off.

I agree bkynbuyer. I went to go take another look at the Oakland and the same unit that faced McGuinness Boulevard that was asking $395,000 in August is now going for $440,000! I asked why and was told they upgraded the appliances in the kitchen. Units in buildings only a few blocks away (97 Kingsland Ave) are getting auctioned off and selling for almost half of the original asking price! I loved the parking garage but was totally turned off by the high asking price. You could purchase a 1BR in Manhattan for the same price!

Upgraded the appliance to what? Platinum plated models that give you hand-release.

I have seen this building and am very impressed by the workmanship here. The developer spent about an hour with us going over the fine details of the building. if only other developers were as dedicated to erecting quality. he is raising prices as he has sold a fair amount of units and they are of better quality than most anything out there. and they will sell at these inflated prices.

@wannabuy

1. The-Oakland is a nice building but it is on McGuinness Boulevard. As bjw2103 mentioned 12 weeks ago the noise from McGuiness Boulevard can be heard in the units facing the Boulevard. Lots of trucks do use that route to the BQE and when a tractor trailer hits a pothole it can be heard for blocks. Is the developer doing anything else to combat that noise?

2. 267-269 Kingsland Ave. had to auction off a few of their units recently. The article is at "http://curbed.com/archives/2009/11/12/on_the_block_results_five_greenpoint_condos_sell.php". A studio there went for $299 Sq Ft. and 1 BR went for $393 Sq Ft. The-Oakland is currently asking $685 Sq Ft. based on the 678 Sq Ft. unit going for $465,000 on StreetEasy. 267-269 Kingsland Ave. is only 6 blocks away! Is The-Oakland aware of that and taking that into consideration?

The Oakland is hands down one of the best condo projects in the Williamsburg-Greenpoint Area, the finishes alone beat anything out there. If you want quality you have to pay for it. The owner/Developer must be doing something right he has 18 deals in less than 9 months on the Market. I purchased a unit in the building and I am very content with my purchase.
Have a Great Thanksgiving & Holiday!!!

Discussion about 117 Kingsland Avenue #3A
BoughtnGpnt
7 minutes ago
ignore this person
report abuse Units are really nice and affordable at CURVE (117 Kingsland Ave.
I was very surprised that the developers put such nice finishes for this project. The agent I dealt with at NC Pepe Corp was really helpful he took his time and was very nice. I am going to make an offer..

@wannabuy

I'm awaiting your reply.

@BoughtnGpnt

Did you pay the asking price for your unit? How long ago was your bid accepted? Did your unit get the $45,000 kitchen upgrades? Can you hear the trucks from McGuinness when you lie in bed at night?

kiz10014 sounds like something a broker would say trying to defend his building. But please go ahead and buy whatever you like. You can take your two trains to get to the city or walk 20 minutes to the L any time you like. And when you're ready to sell your nice apartment, good luck getting the asking price, hope by then Green Point has turned into another Park Slope, the Park Slope we knew before the market went crazy on us. But since that's unlikely, well GOOD LUCK!!! But before you start reporting abuse for a perfectly polite e-mail, try and read an article about the current market and of things to come. Perhaps NY Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/business/economy/25home.html?hpw, a really interesting article titled "Home Prices maybe Nearing a New Dip". Meanwhile, I'll be off looking at the Forte, where the developer just lowered prices and the 1,200 sqf apartment can be bought at lower price.

Bknybuyer
perhaps it wasnt clear what i posted
i cut and pasted a post by BoughtnGpnt from another discussion thread "Discussion about 117 Kingsland Avenue #3A " where he posted "Units are really nice and affordable at CURVE (117 Kingsland Ave.
I was very surprised that the developers put such nice finishes for this project. The agent I dealt with at NC Pepe Corp was really helpful he took his time and was very nice. I am going to make an offer.."

which seemed odd given his/her above post on the oakland "...I purchased a unit in the building and I am very content with my purchase. Have a Great Thanksgiving & Holiday!!! "

so it seems this is some sort of greenpoint buying spree
hope this clears up what i posted
(the "report abuse" comes along with everything cut/pasted from the margin. i certainly am not in the business of reporting anybody)

GRNPT

i have been to this bldg twice and the apts are very quiet. the double pane windows(with the blinds in between-nice touch) do an excellent job of keeping the noise out. being on the balcony of course is a different story.

i don't think you can compare the kingsland building. it is greatly inferior in every aspect. cheap finishes and lousy construction and in a questionable part of greenpoint. there seems to be an issue of toxicity. also the developer had sold no units and probably was facing a foreclosure notice. the oakland has sold very well, even at prices above the area norm.

I would not be surprised if sponsor was buying some of the units to get over 51%.