It was a long time in the making, but now a development that sparked much debate in Brooklyn has opened its doors. NY1's Jeanine Ramirez takes us inside for a first look. 

It's still getting finishing touches but 60 Water Street is now open to residents. Located next to the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO, it's a project that developer Two Trees has been working on for nearly a decade.

"We have studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms. They all offer floor to ceiling windows so the facade of the building is all glass," says Two Trees Residential Leasing Director Ashley Wirkus.

Those windows provide views that make you feel like you can touch the brooklyn bridge. The view is a touchy issue, thoug. NY1 attended  public hearings in 2009 where opponents said the high rise would block sightlines of the bridge. Two Trees then made adjustments in its design. 

"The part closest to the bridge steps down three or four stories and then we moved the bulk to the part of the site that's furthest from the bridge," says Two Trees Special Projects Director David Lombino.

To win city approval. the developer also designated 20 percent of the units as affordable housing, with preference given to neighborhood residents. All tenants will have access to the roof deck, and use the same main entrance. 

"All the units are completely integrated into the building. There's no poor door. The units are completely identical to the market rate units," Lombino says.

Another giveback that came out of the public hearings: Two Trees included space for a public school on the second floor, with its own entrance on Dock Street. The Department of Education will now take over the site and do the interior work. 

The 300-seat middle school is expected to open fall 2016.

In the rest of the building, the market rate rents are not cheap, starting at $2,800 a month for a studio. A virtual open house is just a click away. 

"You can see a 3D floor plan of every unit as well as take a virtual tour of the actual unit, see the finishes, what the view would be before you even come to the building," Wirkus says.

So far about 30 percent of the apartments are leased.