One of the most interesting condominium developments in Brooklyn draws inspiration from a distant land. It’s called Oosten, and it’s the product of Chinese developer XIN Development, Dutch designer Piet Boon, and Brooklyn-based think! architecture and design pllc. You’ll find it under construction at 429 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg and our friend Tectonic sent YIMBY exclusive photos of an inside tour.
Oosten’s north side
Oosten’s south side
What really sets this development apart from so many others is the way it is constructed around an interior open space. The interior ground floor units have their own private outdoor space (sort of backyards) and interior of that, space is common outdoor space.
View to the southwest
Future location of Oosten’s main pool
Private yards under construction at Oosten
Of course, that outdoor space represents only some of the total outdoor space. There is also plenty of that on the roof, but we don’t have any of that to show you yet. So, here are some ground-level shots of the construction progress in the courtyard.
Oosten courtyard, south
Oosten courtyard, east
Oosten courtyard, west
The eight-story building will have 216 units, according to the latest new building permit. There will be seven residence types. Sure, there are one-, two-, and three-bedrooms, but there are also townhouses, duplex homes, lofts, and penthouses.
Oosten duplex
Oosten townhouse kitchen
Oosten townhouse kitchen
Oosten townhouse living room, with kitchen in background
Oosten townhouse bathrooms
Oosten living room
Oosten living room
Oosten bathroom and kitchen
Amenities will include two lobbies, a 24-hour concierge, rooftop reflecting pool and grills, a lap pool, a fitness center with a spa, a lounge, and a children’s play room.
Map showing some of the Oosten amenities
Private parking, private storage, and bike storage will also be available, for an additional fee. The townhouses come with a garage.
If you’ve decided to purchase one of those parking spaces, you’ll find yourself just off the Williamsburg Bridge. If you’re more frugal, you’ll find the Marcy Avenue J/M/Z stop about 10 minutes away.
View of the Williamsburg Bridge from Oosten
Southwest view from the roof of Oosten
The project has been in the works for a while, with the sales gallery having opened back in September of 2014. Construction is continuing, with occupancy expected later this year.
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Many convenience such as transit and living also lifestyle, link and land were planned to united.
So many amenities…Such little apartments. When we people learn that you can raise a family in these units.
Intriguing and different. Staten Island zoning precludes apartment complexes but something like this might work.
How low have we’ve fallen? People are living in houses of glass with no shades on them. Surrounding neighbors are appalled that there kids have a live full view of couple having sex.
Please have the decency of hanging shades are your windows. Shear shades does not do the trick