184 Kent Ave

Austin Nichols House

Austin Nichols House, erected in 1915, has long been at the fore of loft living on Brooklyn’s waterfront. After developers acquired the former Austin, Nichols & Company grocery warehouse in 1985, they defied zoning ordinances by converting portions into loft-style apartments. Rezoning in 2006 let a new developer convert the building into rent-stabilized apartments, then, starting in 2016, a new set of developers began converting those into condos. While a group of now-former tenants has an ongoing lawsuit with those developers over noise and dust complaints from the overhaul, the building stands out among its new mid- and high-rise neighbors for its authentic connections to the neighborhood’s manufacturing history — and its Egyptian Revival inspired architectural style. “I think what makes this building stand out is the structure,” says Masha Beuning, a real estate agent at Elegran. “Nearby buildings were built around 2008, and I think the material and kind of the quality doesn’t necessarily live up to the construction of a prewar building where everything was built in concrete and really well made.” Austin Nichols House is also closer to the water than any other residential property in Williamsburg, so residents have nothing between them and panoramic views. Variety is central to the building’s design. The over 330 units exhibit 176 floor plans and are divided into quadrants with four different views, including ones of Downtown Manhattan. Studios are just over 400 to 600 square feet, and even the tiniest layouts can have private balconies. One bedrooms are the most common option, with over 150 of them in the building, and they range from around 600 to 950 square feet. Larger ones have a second bathroom and sizeable foyer, and a few just over 1,000 square feet have space for a home office. Two bedrooms are sized from 825 to 1,350 square feet, and can include three bathrooms. Three bedrooms vary from 1,150 to 1,450 square feet, depending on the size of the bedrooms and number of bathrooms. Most units share a chic but neutral design scheme defined by herringbone oak flooring, white paneled refrigerators and Caesarstone countertops. Subway tiles appear in kitchen backsplashes and bathrooms, which are also commonly outfitted with floor-to-ceiling Gioia Carrara marble and walk-in showers. Combo washer-dryers are standard in the kitchens, and each floor has a shared laundry room for larger loads. Colonial style windows and 12-foor-tall ceilings create a loft-like atmosphere, even in the few units that weren’t upgraded during the 2016 renovation. “There are some units that have the rental finishes that ended up selling as is,” Beuning says. “But the building is totally done in terms of construction.” Prices in Austin Nichols House are similar to or lower than in nearby high-rise condominiums. Most recently, studios have sold for just under $900,000, and one bedrooms have sold for between $1 million and $1.6 million. Two bedrooms have sold for between $1.4 million and $1.8 million, and three bedrooms have sold for between $2.3 million and $2.7 million. Current monthly carrying costs range from $1.80 to a little more than $2.00 per square foot, which is greater than in neighboring high-rise condos largely because those buildings have tax abatements until 2036. According to Beuning, one of the building’s best amenities is its gym, which “is not like a [typical] apartment gym. It’s a huge gym facing the river, so you don’t have to get a separate membership,” as New Yorkers often do. “And then there’s the lounge. It’s almost like a WeWork,” Beuning says. “It’s really convenient if people want to work from home and has several conference rooms people can book.” For unwinding, there’s an internal courtyard with a fireplace, plus a mini movie theater and kids’ play area. Car owners benefit from the public on-site parking garage, which has direct elevator access to the building. The mix of businesses adjacent to Austin Nichols House — which include a SoulCycle and Italian restaurant downstairs and a Trader Joe’s across the street — gives an idea of how convenient and lively this part of Williamsburg has become. “It’s quiet because you’re on that strip right before Domino Park, but a block in any direction, you’re by restaurants and shopping,” Beuning says. Popular bookstores, clothing stores and bars are down the street, and nearby, the Music Hall of Williamsburg and Nitehawk Cinema keep the entertainment on hand. The building is also between two waterfront parks with walkways, dog runs and athletic facilities that are a major upgrade from the area’s previous industrial spaces. The Bedford L stop, less than half a mile away, provides quick access to Manhattan. Even closer, the ferry at the North Williamsburg dock is an alternative route to Wall Street and Long Island City. There’s also a CitiBike station around the corner for quick trips throughout Brooklyn or for picturesque rides over the Williamsburg Bridge, which, for drivers, conveniently connects to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.