In the days before Williamsburg was rezoned, the neighborhood’s relatively affordable housing costs made it a mecca for starving artists, musicians and bohemians from all walks of life. However, since the 2005 rezoning, land in Williamsburg is a hot commodity and prices have skyrocketed accordingly.
Vacant warehouses and derelict buildings have been transformed into luxury high-rises and condos, rapidly gentrifying the neighborhood and pricing out many of its longtime residents.