100 Maspeth Ave

100 Maspeth

With its myriad graffiti-covered warehouses and lack of trees, East Williamsburg typifies concrete jungle. Yet 100 Maspeth Avenue, also called Olive Park, stands out thanks to its location across from the six-acre Cooper Park. The seven-story building joined the neighborhood in 2008 during a period of rapid-fire development. Many of its 87 units overlook the park, complete with balconies to enjoy the greenery. The boutique condo also offers a sizeable number of amenities considering the building’s smaller scale, which in turn help to foster a sense of community. Olive Park has one and two bedrooms ranging from 450 square feet to 1,000 square feet. Prices start around $655,000 and can hit $1.2 million at the high end. Many units have been renovated over the years, but at their core, apartments contain hardwood floors, large windows and high ceilings. Open kitchens are outfitted with Bosch appliances, including dishwashers, and some have islands for extra counter space and seating. Bathrooms are on the smaller side but offer soaking tubs and rain shower heads. Most units have balconies; those facing the park feature roomy wraparound balconies that residents deploy as mini oases, while others have just enough outdoor space for a chair and petite table. In the same vein, some units have washers and dryers, but those that don’t can easily utilize the building’s well-maintained laundry room. The building’s amenities still feel relevant considering its age, like the small heated indoor pool lined by a few divided cabanas and the separate, step-up hot tub around the corner. There’s also a sauna and a small gym next to the pool that’s well-equipped with cardio equipment. As a pet-friendly building, there’s even a pet spa for cleaning furballs (an added convenience since a dog park is right across the street). Meanwhile, round-the-clock security is reassuring for residents coming home at all hours of the night thanks to the myriad nightlife options. While home, community gathering spots include an inviting rooftop deck complete with a meditation garden and reflecting pool; some units have the option of securing a private rooftop cabana for an extra cost. Speaking of which, on-site garage parking is also available at an extra charge. This prime East Williamsburg area is an easy stroll to indie coffee shops, casual cafes, vintage clothing shops and trendy breweries and nightlife that draw locals from other neighborhoods. Take Avant Gardner, a massive complex with indoor and outdoor venues for not just concerts and parties, but also food festivals, film screenings and other creative pursuits. But the centerpiece of the immediate neighborhood is Cooper Park right across the street; neighbors frequently run into each other here, whether at the dog parks, playgrounds, the skate park or handball and basketball courts. Yoga and fitness classes are held here in the warm weather. For groceries, CTown and Bravo are the two closest supermarkets, but those short on time can take advantage of Olive Park’s cold storage for grocery deliveries. The L train gets riders to Union Square in 20 minutes, with the closest stop about a five-minute walk west at Graham Avenue. The G train is the only line that doesn’t go to Manhattan, but it is convenient for reaching parts of Brooklyn and Queens, with the nearest station a 15-minute walk to Metropolitan Avenue. Some units are still under a tax abatement, or tax reduction on property taxes, that’s good until 2034. The building also allows for minimum down payments, so up to 95 percent of the mortgage can be financed.