Brooklyn Heights Brooklyn

Early settlement

Brooklyn Heights sits atop a plateau on a steep bluff rising from the river’s edge, gradually sloping inland. Before Dutch settlement in the mid-17th century, this elevation was known as Ihpetonga, meaning “the high sandy bank,” by the Lenape Native Americans.

Ferry services began operating as early as 1642, connecting the area’s farms. Among these, Cornelius Dirksen ran a significant ferry between present-day Fulton Street and Peck Slip in Manhattan. This service facilitated the growth of lowland farms and some factories along the waterfront, while the elevated land remained largely undeveloped.

Before the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War, the area was heavily fortified. Following British troops’ landing on Long Island and their advance towards Continental Army lines, General George Washington retreated his troops to Brooklyn Heights after significant losses. However, he executed a strategic withdrawal across the East River to Manhattan without further casualties or loss of supplies.

Development

Brooklyn Heights experienced significant development following the establishment of regular steam ferry service by Robert Fulton’s New York and Brooklyn Steam Ferry Boat Company in 1814. Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont, a prominent landowner in the area, played a key role in supporting this endeavor financially. Pierrepont, who owned substantial land in Brooklyn Heights, recognized the potential for development and sought to subdivide his property for sale to Manhattan-based merchants and bankers. Access between Brooklyn Heights and New York City was essential for his plans, making the ferry service crucial, which Fulton’s company provided.

Pierrepont’s acquisition of 60 acres of land, including prime waterfront property, allowed him to build a mansion and further develop the area. He became a significant investor and eventually a part owner and director of Fulton’s ferry company. The ferry service commenced in 1814, coinciding with Brooklyn receiving a charter as a village in 1816, largely due to the influence of Pierrepont and other landowners.

The establishment of the village charter facilitated the laying out of streets in a grid pattern, installation of sidewalks, water pumps, and the institution of a watch. Subsequently, farms were subdivided into smaller lots suitable for residential development, advertised as country retreats for Manhattanites. This led to a building boom, making Brooklyn Heights the “first commuter suburb” by the 1820s, as ferry travel to Manhattan was faster and more convenient than ground transportation from upper Manhattan.

The yellow fever epidemic of 1822 further fueled the community’s development, as wealthy individuals sought refuge in Brooklyn Heights, contributing to its growth as an attractive residential enclave.

20th century

The completion of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883, situated near Brooklyn Heights’ eastern boundary, marked a significant step in making the neighborhood more accessible from Manhattan and other areas. However, it also initiated a transformation in the neighborhood’s character. This accessibility was further enhanced with the arrival of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company’s Lexington Avenue subway line in 1908, which played a vital role in spurring the neighborhood’s development.

The improved transportation infrastructure brought changes to Brooklyn Heights. As accessibility increased, there was a perceived decline in the neighborhood’s exclusivity and charm, prompting the departure of affluent residents and merchants. Their grand mansions were subsequently divided into apartments and boarding houses. This shift attracted artists and writers to the area, along with the construction of several large hotels, such as the St. George, the Margaret, the Bossert, Leverich Towers, and the Pierrepont.

By the onset of the Great Depression, much of the middle class had left, and boarding houses became predominant, giving the neighborhood a somewhat dilapidated appearance. The construction of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) during the 1940s and 1950s further impacted the area, particularly its northwest corner, leading to the destruction of numerous brownstones.

Simultaneously, urban planner Robert Moses, utilizing the Housing Act of 1949, devised plans to replace the traditional brownstone rowhouses with large luxury apartment buildings. This initiative aimed to modernize the neighborhood’s housing stock. The Cadman Plaza development of housing cooperatives exemplifies this vision, situated on the site of the former Brooklyn Bridge trolley terminal.

In response to these changes, the North Heights Community Group was established in 1959 to oppose the demolition of affordable housing for high-rise developments. Architect Percival Goodman proposed an alternative plan that gained significant support. However, a compromise proposal emerged from City Hall in early 1961, leading to the construction of two 22-story towers with luxury and middle-income units.

Despite opposition from preservationists, including the North Heights Community Group, the Brooklyn Heights Association supported the compromise plan. Consequently, construction commenced, displacing 1,200 residents from their homes in late 1961 and early 1962.

21st century

Beginning in 2008, construction of Brooklyn Bridge Park commenced along the East River shoreline. By 2018, the park was 90% complete, and it has since been fully finished. The Squibb Park Bridge was erected in 2013 to offer access between the park and the broader Brooklyn Heights area. However, it faced structural challenges and had to be dismantled in 2019. A new bridge was unveiled in 2020 to replace it.

In the early 2020s, there was a notable trend of celebrities relocating to the neighborhood, indicating its increasing desirability and allure.