Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Brooklyn Heights is one of my favorite neighborhoods in New York. It's located near the Brooklyn Bridge and surrounds the beautiful Promenade which hangs above the waterfront and two-tiered Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The walkway is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. I took a long walk through the area yesterday snapping photos as reference for my drawings (or so I told myself ;)

Above is one of the many entrances to the Promenade from various quaint, tree-lined side streets. There is a playground located at the base of Montague, the main street and busiest, lined with shops and restaurants.

This "Heritage of New York" plaque was on one of the many historic buildings in the area. This was located on Willow Street, which is where Truman Capote wrote "In Cold Blood" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in his basement apartment. Brooklyn Heights was also home to such renowned writers as Walt Whitman and Norman Mailer, who was lucky enough to have a home right on the Promenade.

Always loved this corner building above!

Browning Frames & Prints at 37a Cranberry St. specializes in custom archival framing and prints. Frames are handmade by local craftsmen. Such a charming facade!

I took this picture because of the little plaque that reads circa 1820. Sometimes referred to as "America's 1st Suburb", Brooklyn grew by leaps and bounds in the 1800s. It attracted many wealthy investors and in 1814 Robert Fulton began operation of his steamboat from Brooklyn to Manhattan. If you are interested in reading more about the history, visit this South Brooklyn website. Brooklyn became a city in 1833.

This yellow house is one of my very favorites. It's just perfect to me :)

This is the side entrance to the Hotel St. George on the corner of Henry and Clark St. It was once a grand hotel, the largest in NYC and now provides residence for students. Part of "The Godfather" was filmed here! The NY Times wrote an interesting piece, "The Hard Life of a Brooklyn Heights Grande Dame" a few years ago. John Manbeck wrote a terrific story for the Brooklyn Eagle about it's salt water pool which is now part of Eastern Athletic Club. A small portion was saved, as a fresh water (chlorinated) pool.

Some of my favorite street names are located in the Heights-- above is Pineapple Street, below is Orange Street :D Cranberry, Love Lane are others...

Here is the city view from another entrance to the Promenade. It extends from Remsen St. to Orange along the East River.

Staten Island Ferry above :)

New Park Construction began in 2007. This park will extend from the one under the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge in the neighborhood of Dumbo. *Piers 1 through 6 will be replaced by floating pathways, fishing piers, beaches, playgrounds and restored habitats (*SouthBrooklyn.net)

Here are some of the trees to be planted.

Across the way is South Street Seaport.

Below are the fabulous homes that line the Promenade.

I rarely walk past a Vespa without taking a photo of it... Orange You Cute!

This is a small part of a huge apartment complex along Joraleman St leading into Heights area.

There are quite a few old homes built in the 1800s that have been well maintained and often cramped between newer architecture. This one looks so sweet and really stands out despite it's small stature.

There are lots of converted carriage houses in and around Brooklyn & NYC.

Like this grand window & doorway!

You'll also see lots of homes with wood slat (slatted?) facades. I'm particularly drawn to these, I think because they look like they could be out on the countryside.

The Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA), founded in 1910, is focused on maintaining the quality of life and neighborhood character of this historic part of Brooklyn.

Of course, I love Carroll Gardens, but I am so glad I can walk here for extra research ;)