By Roslyn Lo
In Park Slope, Brooklyn’s renowned historic junction, Arias is ready to inspire a little calm. Famous for its classic brownstones and bohemian culture, Park Slope is seeing a rapid emergence of new developments, and the establishment of the trendy new Arias is redefining luxury in the neighborhood.
The Arias is a sleek new rental building developed by the Iconic Group, with 12 stories with 95 units located on 150 Fourth Avenue. It was designed by Ismael Leyva, PC, the company responsible for the creations of Yves Chelsea, Place 57 and The Residences at One Central Park at Time Warner.
The Arias was first envisioned as a luxury condominium, with no expenses spared on style, amenities and features. The Marketing Directors, Inc is handling the leasing, and has seen a strong response so far, with 60% of its units rented within the first six weeks of the leasing office’s opening.
The building’s design gives a twist to classic Park Slope architecture, with a brick façade and glass curtain wall that blends into the neighborhood.
“It’s our first foray into the Brooklyn marketplace,” said Jackie Urgo, president of the Marketing Directors. “Ismael Leyva has done some prominent buildings, and was selected to create the design. When we went rental, people benefited from that level of design.”
The two-storied lobby has a modern feel, with high angular walls contrasting the highly stylized furniture. A warm color theme and pristine decor keep the contrasting shapes in harmony, for a welcoming effect. “There is a Zen-like inspiration, with earth tones, soft colors, and windowed corridors—it feels like a boutique hotel,” said Urgo.
The homes keep with the modern trend, with white oak floors and high ceilings setting a serene mood. Monthly rents start at $2,100 for studios, $2,600 for one-bedrooms and $3,600 for two-bedrooms. The designs feature floating glass balconies, oversized tilt and turn windows, Bosch washers and dryers, a video intercom system, and private patios.
The kitchen integrates stainless steel appliances for a modern look, including a refrigerator, built-in microwave, dishwasher, and oven. Polished white stone counters and white oak cabinetry deck out both the kitchen and bathroom, staying true to the home’s soft color theme. Beige stone lines the master bath’s walls, with porcelain floors, marble vanity, and polished chrome features. The thermostatically controlled shower is a luxury in itself, with a rain ceiling shower, deluxe soaking tub and radiant heat floors.
Outside the homes, Arias provides plenty of outdoors space to residents as part of their large amenity package. The roof deck of the building features the Arias Club 360, a terrace with a view of the Brooklyn and Manhattan skyline. Equipped with a fire pit, surround seating, private cabanas, outdoor shower, water feature, 600 s/f lawn, grills, and a bar, the Arias Club 360 is reminiscent of a luxury resort. In addition, the Arias Courtyard provides a putting green and outdoor garden for ample relaxation space.
Arias also has a fitness center and yoga center, as well as a lounge where residents can play billiards, access a catering kitchen and bar, or watch movies from a plasma television by a fireplace. Relaxation aside, a pet spa, cold and dry grocery storage, bike racks, and storage units are also available for residents.
Urgo said one of the building’s greatest assets is the neighborhood. “Park Slope has been a destination for years,” she said. “It’s historic, convenient, and minutes away from transportation. People love the restaurants, bohemian feel, culture, and dining. There are tons of places to go, from the Botanical gardens, Brooklyn museum, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Public Library, to Fifth Avenue.”
With its blend of modern and classic designs, the Arias manages to raise the bar for rental developments in Park Slope, while paying tribute to the neighborhood’s historic architecture.
