171 N 1st St

171N1

When hired by developer Gemini Rosemont to design a new condominium in Williamsburg, Fogarty Finger’s founding partner, Chris Fogarty, felt it was time for the architectural aesthetic of the neighborhood to evolve. “We really felt so much of what had been going on in Williamsburg was red brick and big windows. The neighborhood has changed since the warehouse conversions,” he says. “So, we asked, ‘What would you do for a more mature building in this neighborhood?’” The answer, 171N1, is a seven-story building with a facade of soft white and dark bronze scalloped terracotta and sloping, horizontal lines at street level and along the roof. “You get all this texture with terracotta. We love that material,” says Fogarty, noting its long history as a building material in the city. “It was the standard, go-to product for most of New York for many, many years.” The forms and hues of the facade are carried through to the interior of the building, reflected in the slatted rich walnut of the lobby’s reception area, a barrel-vaulted ceiling in the fitness room and hallways lined with carpet in a subdued pattern of simple curves. As the project neared completion, the overall effect managed to surprise even Fogarty a bit. “I thought, ‘My gosh. This is really nice.’” Building units include studios, one- and two-bedroom homes, with duplex, triplex and penthouse apartments among them. Oversized windows allow for an impressive amount of natural light, particularly in units at the front of the building facing the quiet, low-traffic street. Many homes at the rear of the building include outdoor spaces and overlook the condo’s small sitting area and Zen garden. Three, four-bedroom townhomes offer dramatic double-height living spaces and private outdoor spaces equipped for entertaining with kitchens, gas grills and wine fridges. The dwellings feature a private entrance while also providing access to amenity spaces from within the building. “The townhouses are really special,” says Fogarty. “It’s not a huge amount of square footage, but you get a lot of space. Nothing’s wasted. They’re like Swiss watches.” Studio apartments start at $650,000; one-bedrooms ask $900,000 to $1.2 million, and two-bedrooms list for $1.6 million to $2.6 million. Townhouses list for about $4.4 million and up. Keyless entry opens to a living space with floor-to-ceiling windows and white oak flooring. Kitchens with full-height, custom Italian-made cabinetry, Valor White quartz countertops and backsplash are equipped with integrated Bosch appliances, including a gas range. Well-proportioned primary bedrooms include a walk-in closet and en suite bath with a tub. All bathrooms offer soothing interiors of refined natural stone, porcelain tile flooring, customized wood veneer vanities and high-quality fixtures. Refined interior fixtures and finishes are paired with technological conveniences, including an LG washer and dryer, telephone intercom and a hardwired “Brilliant Switch” system providing video connectivity to the building’s concierge and entrance. 171N1 offers a mix of amenities designed for the practicalities of daily life and the pleasures of urban living, including a 24/7 door attendant, cold storage, lockers and bike storage. A landscaped roof deck offers views of Williamsburg, Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge, a fully equipped kitchen, a 20-foot grill and a bar for entertaining. For residents wishing to host in a more intimate outdoor setting, seven private rooftop spaces are available for rent or purchase. A quietly luxurious lounge offers a comfortable area for movie screenings or working from home, and an on-site fitness center is outfitted with gym-quality equipment including a workout mirror. Families can use a children’s playroom and a pet-grooming area is on the basement level. Perhaps one of the condominium’s biggest luxuries, an on-site, automated parking garage with 29 spaces, can be accessed from the lobby. Located in prime Williamsburg, 171N1 is minutes from various shopping, dining and nightlife options. Major retailers include an Apple Store, Sephora and Equinox Fitness, and grocery shopping can be done at Whole Foods, two blocks away. Entertainment venues in the area include Nitehawk Cinemas and Williamsburg Cinema and Music Hall of Williamsburg, and the lively Domino Park provides greenspace, an inspired playground and public art along the East River. The area is filled with popular dining spots such as Lilia for Italian, Pies’ n’ Thighs for southern comfort food and stalwart New York City institution/steakhouse Peter Luger. The Bedford Avenue L station can be reached on foot in three minutes, with travel time to Midtown Manhattan about 30 minutes; getting to Union Square takes about 15 minutes. Additional public transit options include the G train at Metropolitan Avenue and buses along Metropolitan and Marcy Avenue. The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the Williamsburg Bridge are easily accessible for travel out of the neighborhood, borough and city.