Williamsburg is a strange place, an anomaly. It doesn’t have the brownstone blocks of its neighbors to the south, the grand Art Deco towers, or the ornate turn-of-the-century lofts found elsewhere. Instead, it’s utilitarian, a patchwork of aluminum siding, anonymous factories, and in recent decades, residential buildings of every shape and style. Some are more successful than others, and admittedly, the adaptive reuse of old factories has brought character to certain corners. What makes Williamsburg's streetscape appealing, especially on its best blocks, are the narrow lots that create variety, surprise storefronts, and a sense of discovery that makes the neighborhood a pleasure to walk in.
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On one of these tight parcels, at the corner of Ainslie Street and Union Avenue, rises The Orson, a six-story condominium that captures Williamsburg’s eclectic spirit in a refined package. Clad in buff brick and framed with factory-style windows, it feels both rooted and fresh. Designed by Kao Hwa Lee Architects with the award-winning Makers Collective, the building’s interiors nod to the character New Yorkers love: beamed ceilings, herringbone floors, tall multi-light windows, and detailed wainscoting.
The Orson holds just six residences: a duplex, three full-floor three-bedrooms, and two penthouses. Each home has private elevator access and interiors detailed with custom 32-inch wainscoting, matte herringbone oak floors with marble thresholds, and oversized windows that bring in southern and western light.
Kitchens are a highlight, outfitted with Calacatta Vagli Rosatto marble, walnut Shaker cabinetry, bespoke metal hoods, and Bertazzoni Nero and Fisher & Paykel appliances. Most apartments include balconies off the kitchen for easy entertaining. Primary suites feature walk-in closets and marble-clad baths with rainfall showers and Graff fixtures, while secondary baths are finished in Calacatta Vida marble.
Amenities are boutique but well considered: a secure package room and a landscaped rooftop with skyline views. The roof offers lush plantings, a pergola, an Ipe sun deck, and an outdoor kitchen finished in Black Levanto marble with a grill. Just off the Lorimer-Metropolitan G and L trains, the Orson puts residents within reach of Williamsburg’s food and nightlife scene, including Ainslie, Montesacro, The Four Horsemen, and the original Barcade. Both McCarren and Sternberg Parks are a short walk away.
Craftsmanship comes at a pretty penny. At an average of $1,678 per square foot, the pricing rivals some of Manhattan’s new condo developments. A ground-floor two-bedroom will start at $1.799M, while a three-bedroom penthouse will ask $2.99M. The first unit to publicly hit the market is a full-floor three-bedroom spanning nearly 1,200 square feet with its own balcony.
The Orson, #3 (Serhant)
With its blend of thoughtful design, intimate scale, and prime location, the Orson shows how new boutique condominiums can stand out in a crowded market. For buyers drawn to these kinds of details, well-crafted finishes matched with timeless character, below are a handful of other listings across the city that share a similar spirit.
205 East 63rd Street, #12C (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
535 West 110th Street, #11B
$725,000 (-4%)
Morningside Heights | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 750 ft2
535 West 110th Street, #11B (Coldwell Banker Warburg)
90 Herbert Street, #3A (Compass)
Hotel des Artistes, #608 (Compass)
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140 West 10th Street, #3R (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
50 Clinton Street, #6D
$1,950,000 (-2.5%)
Lower East Side | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,189 ft2
50 Clinton Street, #6D (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
144 Garfield Place, #2R (Compass)
313 Sixth Avenue, #2 (Corcoran Group)
211 Elizabeth Street, #5E (Compass)
158 West 136th Street, # (Corcoran Group)
La Maison Collette, #502
$3,050,000
Greenwich Village | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,151 ft2
La Maison Collette, #502 (Serhant)
The Ansonia, #5/109 (Christies International Real Estate Group LLC)
845 West End Avenue, #15B
$3,500,000
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 1,942 ft2
845 West End Avenue, #15B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
The Story House, #3A
$4,495,000 (-7.3%)
Flatiron/Union Square | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 2,166 ft2
The Story House, #3A (Sothebys International Realty)
250 East 21st Street, #10A
$5,250,000 (-10.3%)
Gramercy Park | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 2,000 ft2
250 East 21st Street, #10A (Compass)
520 Fifth Avenue, #44A (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
210 Central Park South, #17D
$5,950,000
Midtown West | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,500 ft2
210 Central Park South, #17D (Corcoran Group)
The Osborne, #4B (Compass)
126 East 86th Street, #12A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
146 Saint Johns Place, #TH (Serhant)
40 West 83rd Street, #TH
$7,995,000 (-11.1%)
Central Park West | Townhouse | 5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths | 5,694 ft2
40 West 83rd Street, #TH (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
181 President Street, # (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
The Apthorp, #10D
$8,750,000
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,238 ft2
The Apthorp, #10D (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
40 East 72nd Street, #5
$8,900,000 (-4.3%)
Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,132 ft2
40 East 72nd Street, #5 (Corcoran Group)
101 West 78th Street, #5B
$8,995,000 (-14.3%)
Broadway Corridor | Condominium | 5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 4,477 ft2
101 West 78th Street, #5B (Coldwell Banker Warburg)
133 East 73rd Street, #3 (Corcoran Group)
65 Bedford Street, #TH
$13,995,000 (-5.1%)
West Village | Townhouse | 5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths | 4,200 ft2
65 Bedford Street, # (Corcoran Group)
2505 Broadway, #PHA (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Chez 66, #7EW
$14,500,000
Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,600 ft2
Chez 66, #7EW (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
40 East 66th Street, #12B
$15,950,000 (-13.8%)
Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Condominium | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 4,913 ft2
40 East 66th Street, #12B (Corcoran Group)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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