Williamsburg Neighborhood Guide

01 / Boundaries

Where is Williamsburg? Boundaries and sections

Williamsburg is in northern Brooklyn, bordered by Greenpoint to the north, Bedford–Stuyvesant to the south, Bushwick and East Williamsburg to the east, and the East River to the west. Neighborhood boundaries in New York City aren't officially set, so other sources may draw them slightly differently. Grand Street has long divided the North Side from the South Side, and the area along the river south of Division Avenue is often called South Williamsburg.

Williamsburg is in Brooklyn Community District 1. Its main ZIP code is 11211, with 11249 along the western waterfront and 11206 in the southeast.

02 / History

A short history: from Williamsburgh to the waterfront

Williamsburg was incorporated as the Village of Williamsburgh in 1827 and became a city in 1851. In 1855 it was annexed by the City of Brooklyn, and the "h" was dropped from its name. Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the waterfront was lined with factories and refineries, including the Domino Sugar refinery, which stopped operating in 2004. The Williamsburg Bridge opened in 1903 and was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time.

In 2005, the City Council rezoned the North Side and Greenpoint waterfront to allow high-density residential buildings, with requirements for public waterfront space. Much of the newer waterfront housing dates from after that rezoning. Several buildings are NYC landmarks, including three buildings of the former Domino Sugar Refinery (designated 2007), the Kings County Savings Bank building at Bedford Avenue and Broadway (designated 1966), and the Williamsburg Houses (designated 2003). The Fillmore Place Historic District (2009) is the neighborhood's historic district.

03 / Housing

Williamsburg housing: towers, lofts and walk-ups

Waterfront condos and rentals

Along Kent Avenue and the river, much of the housing is in condominium and rental towers built since the 2005 rezoning, including buildings on the former Domino Sugar site. New-development purchases follow a different process from resales, with an offering plan, sponsor terms and closing costs that can differ, so read the offering plan with your attorney before you sign. Some newer buildings also carry property-tax abatements that phase out over time, so check the schedule for any building you're considering.

Converted industrial buildings

Some of Williamsburg's former warehouses and factories have been converted to apartments. One example is the Austin, Nichols and Company Warehouse on the waterfront, designed by Cass Gilbert and built in 1915. Converted buildings can have high ceilings and large windows, but layouts vary a lot from building to building, so floor plans, light and building rules matter as much as square footage.

Walk-ups, row houses and smaller buildings

Away from the waterfront, many blocks have low-rise walk-up apartment buildings, row houses and small multifamily buildings, alongside newer mid-rise condos. Condos are the most common route to ownership in newer buildings; if you're coming from abroad, condos are usually simpler than co-ops, because co-op boards often ask for U.S. financial history. Glenn can walk you through the difference in English, Spanish, Italian or French. Rentals range from large rental buildings to apartments in smaller buildings and condos rented by their owners.

04 / Market snapshot

Williamsburg market snapshot, September 2026

These figures come from public data sources, each measured differently, so read them as a range rather than a single price:

Each source draws Williamsburg's boundaries its own way, and the mix of new-development and resale homes changes from month to month, so these medians can move a lot. For a building or a specific apartment, Glenn can pull recent comparable sales. If you already own in Williamsburg, you can request a free valuation.

05 / Subway, ferry and bridge

Getting around: Williamsburg subway, ferry and bridge

• L train: Bedford Avenue, the first stop in Brooklyn from Manhattan, then Lorimer Street and Graham Avenue, with Grand Street at the eastern edge
• G train: Metropolitan Avenue, connected to the L at Lorimer Street, and Broadway
• J, M and Z trains: Marcy Avenue, near the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge; the J and M also stop at Hewes Street and Lorimer Street
• NYC Ferry, East River route: landings at North Williamsburg (North 6th Street and Kent Avenue) and South Williamsburg (440 Kent Avenue)

The Williamsburg Bridge carries the J, M and Z trains along with a pedestrian walkway and a bikeway to Manhattan.

06 / Parks and waterfront

Parks and the waterfront

McCarren Park, 35 acres on the border with Greenpoint, has ball fields, a running track and the McCarren Play Center pool. On the river, Domino Park runs along the former Domino Sugar site, and Grand Ferry Park, Marsha P. Johnson State Park and Bushwick Inlet Park add more waterfront open space to the north.

07 / Public schools

Public schools

Public schools. Williamsburg is in Community School District 14. P.S. 17 Henry D. Woodworth at 208 North 5th Street is one of several zoned public elementary schools in Williamsburg. The neighborhood is split among several elementary school zones, so the zoned school depends on the exact address. School zones change, so confirm current zoning and school information for any address with NYC Public Schools' Find a School (opens in a new tab) search.

08 / Recently sold

Recently sold in Williamsburg

2 Northside Piers, Unit 30Y

(opens on Compass in a new tab)

09 / Buying or renting with Glenn

Buying or renting in Williamsburg with Glenn

Buying in Williamsburg comes down to understanding the building: the offering plan and sponsor terms if it's new construction, any tax abatement and how it phases out, whether it's a condo or a co-op, and how a particular apartment compares with similar ones nearby. Glenn handles that work for buyers, sellers and renters. As part of the M Team at Compass, he specializes in international buyers and investors, condos, co-ops and rentals, and he works in English, Spanish, Italian and French.

Planning a purchase? Start with the Buyer's Guide. Looking to rent? The Renter's Guide covers documents, income requirements and applications. Then contact Glenn at 929.392.3707 or glenn.velasco@compass.com.

10 / FAQ

Williamsburg FAQ

What are the boundaries of Williamsburg, Brooklyn?

Williamsburg is bordered by Greenpoint to the north, Bedford–Stuyvesant to the south, Bushwick and East Williamsburg to the east, and the East River to the west. Neighborhood boundaries in New York City aren't officially set, so other sources may differ slightly.

Why was Williamsburg once spelled Williamsburgh?

Williamsburg was incorporated as the Village of Williamsburgh in 1827 and later became a city. When it was annexed by the City of Brooklyn in 1855, the "h" was dropped.

What subway lines serve Williamsburg?

The L stops at Bedford Avenue, Lorimer Street, Graham Avenue and Grand Street. The G stops at Metropolitan Avenue and Broadway. The J, M and Z stop at Marcy Avenue, and the J and M also stop at Hewes Street and Lorimer Street. NYC Ferry's East River route stops at North Williamsburg and South Williamsburg.

What kinds of homes are in Williamsburg?

Waterfront condominium and rental towers, many built after the 2005 waterfront rezoning; converted warehouses and factories; and low-rise walk-ups, row houses and small multifamily buildings away from the river.

How much does it cost to live in Williamsburg?

StreetEasy's September 2026 data shows a median asking price of $1,750,000 and a median asking rent of $5,041 a month. Redfin reports a median sale price of $1,844,483 for the three months ending September 2026. Prices vary widely by building and apartment, so ask Glenn for recent comparable sales.

Can Glenn Velasco help me buy or rent in Williamsburg in Spanish, Italian or French?

Yes. Glenn Velasco is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson at Compass who works with buyers, sellers and renters in English, Spanish, Italian and French, including international buyers. Reach him at 929.392.3707 or glenn.velasco@compass.com.