You’ve seen the glass. If you’ve ever looked at the Brooklyn skyline from a ferry or the FDR Drive, those blue shimmering towers at 2 N 6th Pl basically define the Williamsburg waterfront. It’s officially known as Northside Piers. Honestly, it’s one of those addresses that people either covet or roll their eyes at, depending on how they feel about the "new" Brooklyn.
But what is it actually like to live there?
It isn't just a building. It's a massive ecosystem sitting right on the East River. We’re talking about a 30-story tower that went up around 2009, right when Williamsburg was transitioning from "gritty artist enclave" to "global luxury destination." Living here means you're dealing with a specific set of pros and cons that most real estate listings won't mention. You get the views, sure. You also get the wind. Oh man, the wind off the river in February is no joke. It'll whip right through your coat while you're waiting for the ferry.
The Reality of the Northside Piers Layout
Most people looking at 2 N 6th Pl are drawn in by the floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s the primary selling point. When you’re sitting in a living room on the 24th floor, looking at the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building framed like a private gallery piece, it’s easy to forget about the monthly common charges.
The units themselves are heavy on high-end finishes. We’re talking Sub-Zero refrigerators, Bosch appliances, and those deep soaking tubs that look great but take forever to fill. The floors are usually a light oak, which keeps the spaces feeling airy even on those gray, overcast New York mornings.
Space is... well, it's New York.
A one-bedroom here typically clocks in around 650 to 800 square feet. It’s enough for a couple, but once you add a "work from home" desk and a Peloton, things start feeling tight. The two-bedroom units are where the building actually shines. Many of them have corner exposures. That means you're getting light from two directions, which is a massive deal for your circadian rhythm and your houseplants.
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The Amenity War
The amenities at 2 N 6th Pl were designed back when developers were trying to out-luxe each other every single week. You have the heated indoor pool. It's actually usable, which isn't always the case in these buildings. Some "luxury" pools are basically oversized bathtubs, but this one is legit.
Then there’s the gym. It’s well-equipped, but let’s be real: at 7:30 AM on a Tuesday, it’s packed. You’ll be fighting for a squat rack or a treadmill just like you would at an Equinox. The difference is you can go back upstairs and shower in your own bathroom.
There is also a massage room, a sauna, and a yoga studio. Most residents rarely use the "extras" like the massage room unless they're booking a private therapist to come in, but the rooftop deck is a different story. In the summer, that’s the heartbeat of the building. It’s where you see the awkward social dynamics of a thousand successful millennials trying to relax in the same space.
The Neighborhood Context: More Than Just Smorgasburg
The location is arguably the best and worst part of living at 2 N 6th Pl.
You are right next to Marsha P. Johnson State Park. On Saturdays, this is a blessing and a curse. You have the Smorgasburg food market right outside your door. It smells amazing. The downside? Thousands of tourists are descending on your front yard. If you’re trying to walk your dog or just grab a coffee at Devocion, you’re navigating a sea of people holding "raindrop cakes" and lobster rolls.
Transportation is a huge factor here.
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- The North Williamsburg Ferry: It’s literally right there. If you work in Financial District or Midtown East, it’s the most civilized commute in the city. You get a beer, sit on the deck, and look at the skyline.
- The L Train: The Bedford Avenue stop is about a 10-minute walk. On a nice day, it’s a breeze. When it’s raining or snowing, that walk feels like a trek across the tundra. And we all know the L train's history with weekend service.
- The G Train: It’s a bit further at Metropolitan Ave. Useful if you're heading to Long Island City or deeper into Brooklyn, but it's not your primary lifeline.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Waterfront
There's a common misconception that living at 2 N 6th Pl is noisy because of the city. Actually, the "city" noise isn't the problem. It's the "water" noise.
The East River is a working waterway. You have tugboats, ferries, and private barges moving 24/7. Those horns are loud. If you’re a light sleeper and you leave your window cracked, you’re going to hear the 6:00 AM ferry pulling in.
Also, the "Williamsburg wind" is a scientific phenomenon. Because there aren't many tall buildings between the river and the tower, the wind just slams into the facade. In the winter, you can sometimes hear the wind whistling through the elevator shafts or the terrace doors. It gives the building a bit of "personality," to put it politely.
The Investment Angle
If you're looking at 2 N 6th Pl as an investment, the data is interesting. Prices in Northside Piers have remained relatively resilient, even when the L train shutdown was looming a few years back. Why? Because the waterfront is finite. They can build more towers further inland, but they aren't making more riverfront property.
However, taxes are the thing to watch. Many of these buildings had 421-a tax abatements that are either sunsetting or have already expired. When those abatements go away, your monthly carrying costs can jump by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Always, always check the expiration date of the abatement before signing a contract here.
Is the Community "Real"?
Williamsburg has a reputation for being transient. You see a lot of people move in, stay for two years, and then move to Westchester or New Jersey once they have a kid. 2 N 6th Pl has some of that, but there's also a surprisingly core group of "pioneers" who bought in 2009 and never left.
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You’ll see them in the lounge or at the dog run. There is a sense of community, but it's a "New York community," which means people generally respect your privacy unless something goes wrong (like the elevators breaking down, which, let's be honest, happens in every high-rise).
The building is also incredibly pet-friendly. If you don't like dogs, this is not the place for you. The lobby often looks like a Westminster Kennel Club casting call.
Actionable Tips for Potential Residents
If you’re seriously considering a move to Northside Piers, don't just look at the unit.
- Visit at 2:00 PM on a Saturday. You need to see the "tourist swarm" for yourself. If it stresses you out, you’ll hate living there on weekends.
- Check the HVAC. These units use individual PTAC units or heat pumps. They can be noisy and expensive to run. Ask for a copy of a winter electric bill if you can.
- Look at the "Line." In real estate speak, the "line" is the vertical stack of apartments. A "01" unit might have a totally different view and noise profile than a "05" unit. Don't assume all apartments in the building are equal.
- Talk to the Doormen. They are the keepers of the building's secrets. Ask them about the elevator wait times or how the building handled the last big storm.
Living at 2 N 6th Pl offers a very specific version of the New York dream. It’s polished, it’s convenient, and it has views that will make your Instagram followers jealous. It’s not the "authentic" 1990s Williamsburg of basement shows and cheap pierogies, but that version of the neighborhood is mostly gone anyway. What you get instead is a high-functioning, luxury experience in one of the most vibrant parts of the city.
Just remember to bring a heavy coat for that ferry commute. You're going to need it.