Discovering Brooklyn: Downtown Brooklyn
by 
Welcome back to our monthly series covering all of Brooklyn from Greenpoint to Sea Gate.
Brooklyn is a city because of its sheer size and unique influence, right? The fact is—Brooklyn is presently one of the five boroughs of the City of New York. This beautiful borough, however was once the captivating City of Brooklyn almost two hundred years ago.
On April 8, 1834 the State granted Brooklyn its city charter. And fifteen years later, City Hall, located at 209 Joralemon Street was completed. Sadly by 1898, despite strong opposition by some, Brooklyn was demoted and relegated to borough status within the City of New York. (It’s still the center of the Universe to most true Brooklynites)
According to “An Architectural Guidebook to Brooklyn” by Francis Morrone, “some planners seriously proposed leveling old City Hall.” Was there a need for such a grand building in a borough that could not remain a city? (Heck yeah!) Fortunately, the Greek Revival style building stills stands. It has been renovated, given landmark status and is known today as Brooklyn Borough Hall. It is used for official events and ceremonies. The borough president’s office is located there too. Brooklyn’s borough president is an advocate for the entire borough representing its interests within government while advising the Mayor of the City of New York. Eric L. Adams is Brooklyn’s presiding Borough President.
This month, we explore Downtown Brooklyn and start our journey at the Borough Hall station on the 2/3 line.
Downtown Brooklyn sits in North-West Brooklyn and geographically has the East River above it, the Navy Yard and Fort Greene to its right, DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) andBrooklyn Heights to its left, and below it are the neighborhoods of Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill. According to City-Data, the population of Downtown Brooklyn is 7,053 and quite diverse.
Though things are constantly changing Downtown, it remains the legal, commercial, and financial capital for Brooklyn.
Kings County (Brooklyn) Courts are located here:
- Supreme Court—360 Adams St
- Civil Court—141 Livingston St
- Criminal Court—120 Schermerhorn St
- Family Court—330 Jay St
- Surrogate’s Court—2 Johnson St
- Bankruptcy Court—271 Cadman Plaza
- County Clerk’s Office—360 Adams St
- City Clerk’s Office—210 Joralemon St
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- Restaurant at Abraham and Straus (A&S), Brooklyn, New York, 1965
Not only are the borough’s courts located here, Downtown is is a major hub for shopping. During the early 20th century Fulton Street bustled with people shopping at EJ Korvette’s, the very discounted department store, Martin’s flagship specialty apparel retailer, Abraham & Straus (A&S), the famous department store serving delicious frozen custard treats and FW Woolworth (5 and dime store) with a very busy lunch counter.
In the 21st century all those stores previously mentioned are gone. New ones came and some of those are now gone. Walk down Fulton Street today and see Macy’s, Banana Republic, The GAP, American Eagle, Foot Locker, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Max, H&M, Aeropostale, Express and other retailers.
MetroTech is here and home to major corporations like JP Morgan Chase, National Grid, and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield; media and advertising companies like El Diario La Prensa and UniWorld Group. And where there is shopping and business, there must be good food.
Downtown Brooklyn has several restaurants with varied cuisines and pricing: from the new kids on the block to the seasoned – Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar, Shake Shack, Hill Country Barbecue Market, Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine, New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge Archives Restaurant, Junior’s and much much more.
Are you watching your weight? Every Saturday, year-round the Brooklyn Borough Hall Greenmarket brings fresh and local produce to the area from 8am to 6pm.
Come and spend the day or stay a few hours; there is so much to do here. Downtown Brooklyn is easily accessible by train and bus – you have no excuse to travel here frequently.
Check us out next month in Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO.
– Written by Judith C. Lovell
