A long-stalled full-block project in Williamsburg has burst back onto the radar with a bang. 421 Kent Avenuewhich is apparently now called the Oosten Condominum, but more on that in a momentis now owned by Chinese firm Xinyuan Real Estate, which seems to be marketing units to buyers from their own country first. Forbes Asia first spotted the ads and tons of promotional materials on major real-estate website Soufun.com. We learned quite a number of things about the seven-story, 215-condo development, including 1) the architect, WASA Studio with think! architecture and design; 2) the interior designer, Dutchman Piet Boon of Huys fame (hence the Dutch name on the marketing swag); 3) some of its amenities, like private pools for some residences; and 4) perhaps most importantly, how to market apartments to Chinese buyers. Yes, that means a whole new breed of (admittedly Google Translated) brokerbabble.
Forbes translated more of the ad, so check out the details over there: "Most importantly, however, the web ads include a toll free Chinese phone number where potential buyers in China can contact salespeople in China to buy homes in Brooklyn."
Curbed's chronicler of changing New York City neighborhoods, Nathan Kensinger, captured the work site last week as part of a larger story on under-construction residential projects on the rise in Williamsburg.
There's mention of pricing anywhere. Any intel? Feel free to tell the tipline.
· Xinyuan Real Estate: The Oosten [Soufun.com]
· Featured Project: 421 Kent Avenue [WASA Studio]
· Will Beijingers Buy Brooklyn Apartments Over The Internet? [Forbes Asia via Brownstoner]
· Watching Condos Rise as Williamsburg's Desertification Ends [Curbed]
· All 421 Kent Avenue coverage [Curbed]
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