The Edge - Williamsburg

I went to the opening party this week and was also impressed. Developers Group is only a sales and marketing company. They have nothing to do with the finished product. You should be doing your research about the developer, Douglaston development.

Thanks Stephie. As you can tell, we're new at this. Does anyone know anything about Douglaston Development?

The location of these waterfront condos in Williamsburg is not that desirable in terms of the public transportation. Yes, you have the views and the amenities, but to get to the subway you have to walk long blocks of vacant factories. And they are actually far away from the neighborhood. I guess if public transportation is not that important (and I'd always prefer subway from water taxi), and you can ignore the lack of neighborhood, the view and the dev't plan look enticing enough. I've been to Northside Piers and I've always thought they were overpriced esp with the ones where the view you get is Brooklyn, or your future view of Manhattan from your unit will be blocked by another building they plan to build.

Fruthermore, the L train is overcrowded as the only train hub in north WB. Water taxi only operates in the summer, and there are no guarantees there either, as it is a private company. With city and state budget shortfalls, it'll be interesting to see what the current concrete park will look like. The EDGE will be a construction zone long after units close, as they plan a phase 2 right in front of phase 1, much like Northside Piers.

You may want to check out the thread "Williamsburg Condos" from a few days ago. My posts there were pretty dark, so I'll just leave it at that.

I feel the need to play devils advocate here. I am not sure if you guys live in Williamsburg or not, but I have for the past 4 years. I purchased in a new development, which I love, and I am also a big advocate of all the new development coming up now. Well, at least the quality ones. I think it has brought a lot of great people to the neighborhood, a great deal of neighborhood amenities, and there are more coming all the time.

In response to Cleanslate ad er258, I wholeheartedly disagree with you guys. You said you have to walk long blocks of vacant factories to get to the waterfront? If you are discussing the edge in particular, it is a 5 minute walk from bedford to the waterfront on north 6th or 7th if you are walking at a sluggish pace. In addition, those "vacant factories" typically have people living in them, and north 6th street is one of Williamsburgs most active blocks. The entire block from Driggs down to kent avenue is lined with restaurants, bars and boutiques. I can only assume you do not know the area well? That is the only thing that could justify you saying there is a "lack of neighborhood."

The L train is definitely crowded during rush hour, there is no doubt about it. But, I moved to Williamsburg from the upper east side and I can tell you that it is nothing at all compared to taking the 456 during rush hour. The worst case scenario I have had was letting one train go by and waiting for the next one to come. It is no different than any rush hour train in Manhattan or any popular neighborhood. The funny thing to me is that if the train were empty at all times you guys would probably say "well thats cause Williamsburg sucks and no one wants to live there." Its kind of strange how you all seem to get off on being negative about everything. I don't get it. I can understand you not liking a neighborhood. I would never want to live in Park Slope. But I would never go on a blog and trash it, especially with information that really isn't accurate.

Anyway, npalu I hope you take the things these people say with a grain of salt. I tend to think most of them know very little about the neighborhood or any of the developments coming up in it. They just like to talk trash about all of it and then complain that the L train is crowded. The reason it's crowded is because it's a great neighborhood with a growing population that will only make it even better in the long run.

I'm considering the Edge, too, but I'm concerned about the number of new developments going up in the area. If banks are requiring more down, fewer people are going to be eligible to buy. I'm afraid the prices are going to drop dramatically with all the apartments available in the area. But the Edge is offering pre-listing prices now. If I wait, the prices on these apartments could go up. I'm not sure whether it makes sense to wait it out or sign the contract now.

Guys and Gals don't fall victim to the marketing ploy's by these developers. They make you feel as if you don't act know you will never be able to live here now or in the future. This couldn't be any further from the truth. Just wait and see how low this market is going to go. We have just started to see the decreases. The sellers are getting nervous and the brokers are shocked. Wow brokers actually have to work to make a sale. This is a new concept for many new realtors. I don't know why anyone would be willing to buy in this market. You can actually lose $100"s of thousands. Just be logical. Ask yuorself. Does the market have a greater chance of going down or up in the next 6-18 months? It has just begun, wait and see units start dropping like a rock. You may get an even bigger unit for the same price or the same unit at an even greater discount. To buy now is just not a smart financial decision. I would wait.

I don't know, stpehie. We drove there a few times, and we'd go around the area to get the feel. Maybe N 6th is popping, but the other blocks have vacant factories. When we visited, we parked in a block that's totally deserted, we were the only one parked. Here's the map of the area, that's about 4 blocks from the L train, there were at least 2 blocks that looked deserted from the waterfront to the L train, meaning I did not see anyone walking and this is broad daylight. When we get to Bedford, obviously that's packed with people.

http://www.nybits.com/apartments/map/one_northside_piers_map.html

And here's an article about the L train:

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/30/28/30_28formiles.html

As I said, if public transportation is not a factor and you're pretty much staying home enjoying your ameneties, it's all good. I'd like to get out of the building and see that across the street, there's actually life. There is none right now. Overtime, it may change, but I'm not gonna spend my time watching the neighborhood get built and by the time it's halfway developed, I'm ready to move on. That's where I'm coming from. Obviously, the neigborhood and the public transportation are on the top of my list right now, otherwise, why bother? I might as well go further in Brooklyn and get a house like in Mill Basin or Marine Park, at least I get all the space I need.

is there an online listing for the released apartments?

the developer's group, in my experience, has been TERRIBLE. i'd rather not deal with them unless it's a really great property/opportunity...

there is a yahoo group/blog

edgeincontract @yahoo.com

This is a group for open discussion of Edge related issues amongst contract holders and serious buyers. You must be a contract holder or serious buyer to be a member of this group.

Anyone affiliated or employed by the Developers Group, Douglaston Development, Levine Builders or any other company or organization involved with the marketing, selling, construction, development, or financing of the Williamsburg Edge condo is not eligible to join this group and must declare him or herself to be so.

After negotiations and back and forth discussions the situation at Williamsburg Edge has been resolved. I will be moving into the building next month.

I do not wish to receive anymore communications on this matter

Thank you
Jaynie

Hi. I just wanted to add my two cents here. ... I visited the EDGE a few weeks back and was totally impressed and so impressed with some of the views that I had seen. However, my agent informed me that a third building will be going up (infront of the North building) which would totally obstruct the views that I was so impressed with. So I am wondering why anyone would buy one of those apartments (and they are NOT cheap). As for me, I will wait for the third building to be built. Does anyone have an idea when that will be? The salesguy (not too pleasant by the way) said that the new building might be built in about six to eight years. I wonder how accurate that is. Any comments would be appreciated.

No sooner than 6 years, by that point the Edge will be an "old" complex and there will be something new. I'm moving in next month, but renting first to see how it feels (coming from East Village, so the whole BK move is scary, ha).

Hi Bludevil007,
Congratulations on your move!! Plesae let us know how you like it. I think it is smart to rent first. And I understand how you feel (... the whole BK move is scary...). I am born and raised in Queens so the thought of moving to Brooklyn is also a bit scary for me. In my case, I think I will wait for the third building but I do realize that might be some time. I am willing to wait, though. By then, my son will have moved out and I will have retired. Life will be simplier (I think).

Hi everyone. Just curious. How sound proof are the walls @ the Edge? I saw the on Yelp review claiming shotty construction and being able to hear the neighbors. Just wondering if there's any truth to this.