Coney Island is one of a handful of neighborhoods in New York City where it's possible to live in a building with views of the beach and ocean waves. For those buyers looking to purchase a condo in Coney Island, their search will likely lead them to the 734-unit Brightwater Towers condominium complex. One of the few condos in Coney Island proper, the 1964 development's two 24-story towers sit on Surf Avenue, a short stroll from the beach. "It's one of the more full-service buildings in the area," says broker Julie Sikar of J. Sikar Realty, who lives and works in the building.
"The most important thing in the building is the ocean views. There are beautiful views," she says, adding that the condo's low taxes are also attractive to buyers and investors. Summer brings the lively seasonal sight of the carnival rides below and fireworks every Friday. Sikar notes that not all units share the same perspective, as some are more oriented away from the water and towards the elevated F and Q subway lines. The proximity of those tracks is not inconsequential due to the noise created by the trains as they round a curved section. Residents and local politicians have petitioned the MTA to reduce the sound, and mitigation efforts are ongoing.
Sikar is a 30-year resident of the complex, and while she enjoys the activity in the summer, the off-season holds greater appeal. "We get traffic. People double-, triple-park. It's better when it's just neighborhood people."
One- to three-bedrooms with balconies
Homes at Brightwater Towers range in size from one- to three-bedroom units. One-bedrooms measuring a maximum of 775 square feet list for between $425,000 and $600,000. Two-bedrooms as large as 1,000 square feet ask between $500,000 and $700,000. Three-bedroom condos measure up to 1,2000 square feet and sell for between $600,000 and $800,000. All apartments include a large balcony, and most offer ocean views. Many apartments reflect renovations from over the years, although some, which Sikar calls "1964 beauties," have gone untouched. "Everything needs to be redone in them," she says. "They are selling them for really good prices."
A heated outdoor pool, gym and shared laundry facilities
Brightwater Towers staff includes a door attendant and 24-hour security. The lobby — now a bright, sleek white space with radiant floor-heating — an outdoor, heated Olympic-sized pool and kiddie pool are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The condo has a gym and shared laundry facilities, which feature "laundry live" cameras to help residents remotely assess how busy the space is. A bike room is under construction. Utilities are included with common charges, and outdoor parking is available. Parking spaces are sometimes included with the sale of a unit. Sikar estimates the cost of a space to be $65,000 to buy or $200 to $275 a month to rent. Pets are permitted, and subletting is allowed from day one.
In 2016, a Board of Managers elected by unit owners took over management of the condo from third-party companies. Since then, significant repairs and upgrades to the building have occurred, including infrastructure, safety and cosmetic improvements. The board's activities, project documentation and other essential information are archived on the Brightwater Towers website.
Coney Island on the edge of Brighton Beach
Brightwater Towers is on the border of Coney Island and Brighton Beach. "It's the first building at the start of the 11214 Zip code, so it's more Brighton Beach than Coney Island," says Sikar . "It's a little bit different than the buildings further in." Grocery Shopping can be done at the Key Food Supermarket and the Netcost Market, which specializes in Eastern European foods and is open 24 hours. Both are on Neptune Avenue and can be reached in 10 minutes on foot. The New York Aquarium is directly across the street from the complex, which Sikar says was a big perk when she was a parent of young children. "We lived there. Especially when it rained," she says. The spacious Asser Levy Park offers a playground, bandshell and a recreation center with a gym across West Fifth Street. The Coney Island Boardwalk, the beach and Luna Park and Deno's Wonder Wheel are all a 10-minute walk away. The Abe Stark Sports Center nearby has an ice skating rink open from October to March.
Several train lines and major roadways nearby
Nearby public transit options include the F and Q trains at the W. 8th St.-NY Aquarium and the D and N trains at Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue, where the F and Q also stop. Ocean Parkway makes travel through south Brooklyn easy, and the Belt Parkway connects to points west and east, including Queens. A commute to downtown Manhattan takes about an hour via public transit and 45 minutes by car. The drive to JFK Airport is about 35 minutes.
Important to know
One of the downsides of living at the beach is the threat of flooding, and Brightwater Towers was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. The condo suffered extensive damage that required restoring electricity and hot water infrastructure and renovating the lobby. The building is at a high risk of flooding, receiving a 10/10 "Extreme" Flood Factor rating from climate data firm First Street. The building is also located in a hurricane evacuation zone.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
4/ 10
Bikeable
Bike Score®
66/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
88/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Asser Levy Park
4 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Luna Park Playground
7 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Century Playground
8 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Grady Playground
4 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Playground
Seaside Park
4 min drive
Picnic Area
Playground
Amphitheater
Homecrest Playground
5 min drive
Trails
Playground
Waterpark
Kaiser Park
5 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Fishing
Scarangella Park
5 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Playground
Marlboro Playground
6 min drive
Basketball
Playground
Schools
Source:
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View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Disclaimer: Please note that this building may not be in these schools' attendance zones.
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