Perhaps no neighborhood's boundaries are more contested than those
of East Williamsburg. Even the name itself holds little authority, with
many residents claiming to live in Bushwick or Williamsburg. Add to
that mix, real estate brokers throwing around terms like MoBo (Morgan
Ave. and Bogart St.) and EWIP (East Williamsburg Industrial Park). As
if things were't confusing enough.
Much of the debate stems from the recent dynamic changes in the
nature of the neighborhood. Originally designated by the city as
“North Bushwick, East Williamsburg was originally an industrial
district with workers residing either on the Williamsburg or Bushwick
border. In the 90's, Williamsburg's new hip identity and the L train,
combined with a decline in industrial activity, made the area an easy
choice for the Burgs spillover. The current neighborhood demographic
is a patchwork mix of Puerto Rican middle class families with strong
ties to the area, and the recent influx of artists and young
professionals seeking more space for their money. De-commissioned
warehouses were converted into residential lofts and artist studios.
The neighborhood still remains in transition; though it has begun to
take on the feel of parts of Williamsburg, most of EW still remains
either undeveloped or industrial. Recently improved L train service may
speed the changes along.
The real estate listings for East Williamsburg reflect its divided
nature - luxury condos coexist with unfinished industrial lofts.
Because of this, average rental and sales prices may not accurately
reflect the range of possibilities. In this spirit, 1Br's in East
Williamsburg embrace a huge range from near $1000/mo to over $3000/mo.
Nest Seekers International
