The luxury residential condominium conversion of this former factory building for Gretsch musical instruments had an uneasy beginning in 2003 not because of a weak real estate market but because of community concerns about affordable housing.

A February 17, 2004 article in The New York Times described the controversy:

"Several weeks ago Mikey Weiss, an electronics store owner with an overgrown blond Mohawk, was visited in his shop on the north side of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, by a couple of men in mink hats."

'''These two Hasidic guys, dressed as Hasidically as you could possibly dress, came in and asked me what kind of people live in this neighborhood,'' Mr. Weiss said, adding that he told them the area was largely populated with people in their 20's and 30's, including many artists."

'''They said: 'Artists! That's it!' he recalled. 'They said, 'We want to hear about these artists we've heard are moving to our neighborhood.' They asked: 'Are they noisy? Do they cause trouble?'''

"The visitors were from the community of 57,000 Satmar Hasidic Jews who live in south Williamsburg and who have in recent weeks been alarmed by talk of their neighborhood being invaded by 'artisten,' a Yiddish word that in local parlance is used to describe non-Hasidim who live on the north side...."

"Although the divisions are blurry, Broadway near the Williamsburg Bridge has long been seen as the border between the neighborhood's south side, a working-class Hasidic and Hispanic enclave, and the north side, which has become known for its artists, hipsters and, increasingly, affluent professionals. But as northside rents have soared, and ritzy boutiques and nightclubs have moved in, residents seeking cheaper housing have looked southward. Meanwhile, many young Hasidic families are large and their housing needs have grown accordingly. A collision was perhaps inevitable, and it has focused on a building at 60 Broadway, right on the dividing line."

"On Sunday afternoon, five young Hasidic men stood...