Columbia Street Waterfront District Brooklyn

The Columbia Street Waterfront District, situated between Cobble Hill and Red Hook along the Upper New York Bay waterfront, is a neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn, New York City. It is positioned on the western side of the Brooklyn–Queens Expressway (BQE) and falls under the governance of Brooklyn Community Board 6. The neighborhood’s formation dates back to 1957 when the construction of the BQE effectively isolated Columbia Street from its neighboring areas of Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill.

The district faced challenges such as vacant storefronts and a significant setback in 1975 due to a construction accident that resulted in the loss of a worker’s life and the demolition of 33 buildings. However, by 1984, an urban renewal project was completed, leading to the creation of new streets and houses that quickly attracted buyers.

In the 2000s, the neighborhood experienced revitalization with the opening of new bakeries, restaurants, and businesses. Notable establishments included Alma, a Mexican restaurant, and Pok Pok, a Thai eatery that closed its doors in 2018.

Despite being one of Brooklyn’s smaller neighborhoods, comprising approximately 22 blocks between the BQE and the waterfront, the Columbia Street Waterfront District has garnered attention for its unique character. It is occasionally considered part of Carroll Gardens or Cobble Hill.

An interesting demographic aspect of the neighborhood is the presence of a significant percentage of unmarried, same-sex households along the northern section of Columbia Street, representing the largest concentration of such relationships in New York City.