Bay Street Landing

Massive lofts with solid industrial bones and great opportunity for bespoke renovations

“I lived in Manhattan for a long time and was never leaving,” Darden says. “I came here for a family party and fell in love with one of the duplex penthouses at 10 BSL. I’ve lived here for 23 years. With studios averaging 900 square feet, our homes are massive. One can also find plenty of residences with 2,000 square feet of space.” While the former tends to top out at $450,000, the latter averages at $900,000. The complex comprises an eclectic array of buildings. While the nine-story, elevator-equipped 10 BSL and three-story 20 BSL operate as a single co-op, 90 BSL — otherwise known as The Accolade — and the red brick-clad 80 BSL are full-service condos. Meanwhile, 36 through 56 BSL are individual low-rise co-ops.

Each structure has its own specific architectural features, but what ties them all together is their durable industrial construction, high ceilings and open layouts. At 10 BSL, there’s no structural element obstructing the open plan layouts or views as residences are delimited by the central load-bearing columns. At 80 BSL, however, columns do run within the center of the residences. As with any loft conversion, the state of renovation varies greatly from unit to unit. “Because they were originally sold as big open squares or rectangles, every single unit is unique as residents ultimately put-up walls where they want,” Darden explains. “The vast majority that sold in the last decade have been updated yet again.” Unit 5B at 10 BSL, one of her listings asking $349,000 in fall 2024, features built-in oak wood shelving and wall paneling that dramatically frames the open-concept studio and imbues it with textured uniformity. There remains plenty of opportunity for new homeowners to make their own changes and shape these spaces however they see fit, bar the positioning of plumbing and a few other non-negotiables. There are multiple laundry rooms throughout each building.

Sweeping views of three skylines, the Atlantic Ocean and Jersey Shore

“Every building clearly has four sides, and some units end up looking over the trash bins. But that’s more the case in Manhattan,” Darden says. “Here they’re either facing another one of the complex buildings, looking out over the rest of St. George or the internal green space below. The most impressive views here are of, undoubtedly, the city skyline and water.” North-facing Penthouse H at 10 BSL — sold in summer 2024 for $650,000 — has sweeping vistas of Jersey City, the Statue of Liberty, Battery Park City, the Financial District, all three bridges that connect Manhattan and Brooklyn and ultimately, the rapidly growing skyline of Downtown Brooklyn. Residents can even see the George Washington Bridge all the way up the Hudson River. These 1,200-square-foot duplexes have large set back patios and double-height glass solariums bringing in tons of natural light. East line residences have views from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge all the way down to Sandy Hook, the Jersey Shore and the Atlantic Ocean in between.

Well-maintained and monitored grounds and choice attractions in the immediate surroundings

“BSL is a destination location meaning that one cannot pass through the community to get somewhere else,” Darden explains. Guests of residents go through a gate helmed by full- time security guards that also patrol the entire complex. “Because people aren’t constantly coming in and out, it’s always peaceful here,” she adds. “You can literally lie out on the lawn with your wallet in hand and not risk it getting stollen. There’s no trash or broken glass. It’s not public.” This well-maintained green space is joined by an up-to-date tennis/pickle ball court, two grilling areas and a sizable dog run. A 2023 to 2024 renovation also saw the introduction of a playground. Every unit comes with at least one parking spot, many of which were equipped with EV chargers in early 2024. Residents that don’t have cars, as it's not that big of a necessity given the proximity to ferries, can rent them out to those who do. “We’re really spoiled. There’s a real quality of life,” Darden explains. “During snowstorms, the staff will shovel out our cars for us.” Undergoing a complete transformation with new estuaries, rock gardens and trees, the adjacent St. George Waterfront promenade leads directly into the St. George Terminal, where residents can either take the free “orange” Staten Island Ferry directly to Whitehall Terminal on the southern tip of Manhattan or reach Midtown with the “fast ferry:” the SG service that stops at Battery Park City and Pier 79. It’s approximately an eight-minute walk from 10 Bay Street Landing, the farthest building in the complex. Along the way, they pass the National Lighthouse Museum. The locally beloved St. George Theater is just a block away and situates at the beginning of St. George’s downtown replete with popular eateries like institution Enoteca Maria, a restaurant where grandmas (nonnas) come together to cook a wide variety of cuisines.

A place people come to and never leave

"I call it the Hotel California community because people who move here never leave. They check in but never check out,” concludes Darden, who bought her home after her mother had lived here. “People who start out renting end up buying, as do their family members. It’s so safe and quiet. One actually hears the horns from the ferries on foggy days. It’s delicious.”