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February 10, 2004 22:41:17
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History of Downtown Brooklyn
Home to state and federal courts, the newly developed MetroTech complex, and Brooklyn Borough Hall, this area is the hub of the borough and is currently undergoing an economic boom. Presently underway are the construction of the Renaissance Plaza Hilton Hotel and a 500,000 square foot office tower. Livingston Plaza provides 500,000 square feet and twelve floors of retail and office space. The recently completed nineteen story Morgan Stanley Building at Pierrepont Plaza was built from brick and limestone to blend with the existing area design. Brooklyn Borough Hall (209 Joralemon Street), which underwent extensive restoration in 1989, was formerly City Hall for the independent City of Brooklyn.
The MetroTech complex, a commercial site that encompasses four million square feet, including shops, restaurants and open air space used for concerts and outdoor events, was the result of a long term effort to revitalize the downtown area. It houses the offices of Chase Manhattan Bank, the City's Emergency Medical Services and the offices of the Internal Revenue Service, to name a few. The new Atlantic shopping center at Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues includes a host of major retailers. Nearby is the ongoing development of thousands of condominium units.
Served by Community District 2
Zip Code: 11201
Claims to Fame:
The New York Transit Museum (Boerum Place & Schermerhorn Streets) is the home to one hundred years of transit memorabilia and should be visited. The authentic 1930s subway station remains, as do 19 vintage subway and elevated cars, antique turnstiles, and a working signal tower.
Gage & Tollner, established in 1879, is one of the oldest restaurants in the borough. It offers sumptuous dining in a nineteenth century setting.
Today, the Fulton Street Mall has come to replace the much frequented downtown shopping area that prevailed from the early to mid 1900s. Once dominated by such large department stores as Martin's, Loehman's, Abrahman & Strauss, May's and Goodwin's, the newer eight block expanse is comprised of various shops and stores, stretching along a brick footpath, lined with benches and trees.
The Episcopal Church of St. Ann & The Holy Trinity (157 Montague Street)
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