Discovering Brooklyn

I’ve lived in New York City all my life, but have rarely exited Manhattan to visit the other boroughs. Now, finally, I’m discovering Brooklyn. After last month’s pictorial on Coney Island, I’m now following up with DUMBO, today’s most exciting borough district, and Brooklyn Heights, a residential staple for many decades. We’ll start with DUMBO.

“DUMBO,” an acronym of “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” is fast becoming an upscale residential and commercial community, a haven for art galleries, and a center for technology startups. That’s the bridge on the left and the "underpass" in the center.

DUMBO features old reconditioned buildings, attractive angles for enjoying the Manhattan Bridge and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, and views across the East River to the Empire State Building and other Manhattan skyscrapers.

DUMBO is one of many Brooklyn neighborhoods (as presented on the map), but those looming bridges (at right, the Brooklyn) and the boom in building distinguish it from most.

Venerable St. Ann’s Warehouse (dating back to the Civil War era) has been converted into the global flagship store of the West Elm furniture and furnishings company.

Here is the retail area of Empire Square; two residential buildings with high ticket apartments; and a glimpse of how close one of the new high-rise buildings will be to the bridge.

Some shots around DUMBO, including my companion Gent fronting a shop serving one of the best lobster rolls I’ve devoured south of Maine.

Here’s a good view of the walkway along the East River just north of the Brooklyn Bridge.

This outdoor restaurant runs down the side of the building located on the walkway.

In the wide angle shot, you’ll notice an odd-looking building occupying the sliver of land that juts out over the river. The shot below it shows the structure up close, and housed inside it is the 100 year-old Jane’s Carousel – built in 1922, originally installed in Youngtown, Ohio, beautifully restored, and featuring 48 carved horses and two chariots.

But what really caught my photographic eye in DUMBO were the two bridges and the views across the East River to Manhattan – such as this one, featuring the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge, an assemblage of skyscrapers, and a fast boat.

Likewise, this stately view of the bridge flying the flag atop.

More good views.

Here’s a pairing of the Brooklyn Bridge (top) and (looking north) the Manhattan Bridge.

The Manhattan Bridge seems wedged between old DUMBO buildings.

This is the bridge’s underside . . .

and here are its highest points.

I also like to shoot the bridge seeming to rise out of the DUMBO greenery.

Here are wide angle and close-up views of Manhattan.

The boats add a certain energy . . . .

. . . . especially the yellow water taxis . . .

– and it all leads up to this telescopic view of the stately harbor lady.

Opened 45 years ago, the River Café, nestled alongside the East River, has long been a staple in an area which has now expanded around it. The café features good food and superb views from right under the Brooklyn Bridge.

Shots of the River Café’s garden and a view from its interior.

The scene now switches southward to the venerable area known as Brooklyn Heights, described on Google as “a posh residential area of elegant brownstones.” There are also some wonderful larger structures, such as this one.

“Mr. DeMille. I’m ready for my close-up.”

More shots of the same structure

Here’s the entrance (top) to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade (below) and its wonderful views of Manhattan.

Some sights along the Promenade.

Views from the Promenade. Those are Manhattan ferry terminals in the bottom shot.

A marina dominates the foreground . . .

. . . and we’ve gotten closer to the Statue of Liberty.

Here’s a floral farewell to the timeless architecture of Brooklyn Heights.

On last month’s journey out to Coney Island, Gent took me to a lovely pathway under Brooklyn’s end of the Verrazzano Bridge to Staten Island, which is where we’ll close today’s Brooklyn odyssey.

The bridge spans the Narrows, the body of water linking New York Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. It opened in 1964 and was the longest suspension bridge in the world (4,260 feet) until surpassed in the UK, but it’s still the longest span in the Americas.

Here’s some watery traffic around the Bridge.

Here's how the span looks from two vantage points.

And we close with a direct view of its underside.