Williamsburg, Brooklyn is certainly many things, but perhaps most obviously, it’s a former industrial district turned edgy artist hub and eventual haven for the affluent. The neighborhood is a poster child for that type of urban transformation, one that has been repeated in other parts of New York City and cities worldwide. While the developers behind a raft of new luxury condominiums in Williamsburg have tried to channel the cache of a post-industrial loft aesthetic, few match the authenticity of The Mill Building. Heralding the area’s metamorphosis from “filthy but fine” creative mecca to moneyed paradise — as LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy laments in the seminal “New York I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down” song — the 1910 textile factory was turned into a condo in 2008. Like the neighborhood itself, this adaptive reuse project became the go-to example for others, though few have been able to rival the care and consideration taken in its historically attuned transformation. “It’s the gold standard,” says Lyon Porter, an agent with Compass. “They maintained the original red brick facade and the exposed solid wood beams which frame high ceilings and larger than average units.”
Large “blank slate residences” with solid, original, bones
Given the raw nature of the conversion and the time that has elapsed since, every one of the 63 units has a unique layout, reflecting the taste of its previous owners with a distinct suite of finishes. As reported by Curbed in 2017, a $2.5 million unit with 1,972 square feet of space and 13-foot-high ceilings incorporated an eclectic, almost shabby chic, array of furnishings and fixtures. According to a Brownstoner article from 2022, a sprawling 2200 square foot loft masterfully staged by noted architect Thomas Jensen with a sleek industrial kitchen, top-line pocket doors, massive walk-in closets, and a few preserved original elements was on the market for $5.9 million.
Prices vary greatly depending on size, access to a series of private seventh-story rooftop terraces, and the level of renovation, but not so much on the number of bedrooms or bathrooms. Most recently, a 1,203-square-foot one-bedroom sold for $1.5 million. One of Porter’s listings, unit 408, sold for $2.6 million in 2024. It featured a Kelly Wearstler-designed chandelier, a custom-built movie theater screen and a projector hidden in the ceiling. Though containing a myriad of historical details, all residences were hooked up to central air during conversion. Many also include in-unit washer/dryers.
Necessary amenities but with a focus on location and in-unit personalization
“If you wanted to talk about being at the epicenter of Williamsburg, The Mill Building is in the prime north side of the neighborhood and right off the water, but still far enough from Bedford Avenue, which is within walking distance,” Porter says. While it does have the expected amenities of a luxury condo — a 24-hour door attendant, children’s playroom, communal rooftop garden, and rentable parking spots with electric charging stations — its main attributes are the units themselves and the potential for customization they represent. The Mill Building’s other major draw is that it is perfectly situated, as Porter suggests; quiet enough to offer respite from the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood’s main commercial thoroughfare but also close enough to be surrounded by some of its best retail and hospitality locales. The building’s ground level is home to a premium furniture brand Herman Miller showroom, a Double RL Men’s clothing store and Sola Salon Studios.
The neighborhood abounds with a seemingly endless offering of hip and upscale eateries, buzzy watering holes, and premium shops. There’s a Whole Foods grocery one block from The Mill Building. With its pool that moonlights as an outdoor concert venue but also tennis courts and a running track, McCarren Park is the place to be during warmer months. Bushwick Inlet Park and the recently completed Domino Park are other popular green spaces. The L Subway is Williamsburg’s main transit link, with a central stop on Bedford Avenue and North 7th. “The train,” runs across the middle of Manhattan with easy connections to most other major lines.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Moderate Crime
Crime Score®
5/ 10
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
92/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
99/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
William Sheridan Playground
4 min walk
Basketball
Trails
Playground
Berry Playground
7 min walk
Basketball
Trails
Playground
Domino Park
8 min walk
Trails
River
Bushwick Inlet Park
9 min walk
Football
Soccer
Trails
Macri Triangle
11 min walk
Trails
La Guardia Playground
11 min walk
Trails
Playground
Waterpark
Bedford Playground
12 min walk
Basketball
Trails
Playground
Father Giorgio Triangle
14 min walk
Trails
Strawberry Playground
14 min walk
Trails
Playground
Schools
Source:
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