Brooklyn Heights is one of New York City’s most historic neighborhoods (and NYC’s firstever official Historic District.) In this video, we dive into the history of Brooklyn Heights, with a focus on the neighborhood’s ongoing tension between historic preservation and economic development. Just across the East River from Lower Manhattan, the leafy streets, elegant brownstones and ample waterfront parks of Brooklyn Heights lend themselves to casual exploration. Explore with us!


Watch this video to find out:

Which historical forces drove Brooklyn Heights to prominence as “America’s First Suburb”

How Brooklyn Heights activists influenced the New York City’s landmark preservation strategy and became the first neighborhood to be designated a Historic District in NYC

What happened when Robert Moses threatened the neighborhood’s historic charm with a massive highway development plan and the unexpected result

How the legendary Brooklyn Heights Promenade destroyed the private property of those who unknowingly lobbied for its existence

Why design and construction of the 84acre urban oasis Brooklyn Bridge Park took over three decades

The best local coffee, pizza and dessert spots (as defined, subjectively, by this video’s director)

Skip ahead:
Intro: 00:00​
Where is Brooklyn Heights: 1:23
History of Brooklyn Heights: 1:59
Architecture: 3:59
Green Brooklyn Heights: 7:11
Robert Moses & the Promenade: 7:41
Brooklyn Bridge Park: 9:16
Conclusion: 13:49
Recommendations: 14:03





What did you learn? What did we miss? Comment and let us know.

Special Thanks to

Beth Connolly, who wrote this script and directed the content of this video (including recording of all local onthestreet and park footage)
Follow her on twitter at:   / bethconnolly  

Leo Rosenblum, for editing

The Center for Brooklyn History (formerly The Brooklyn Historical Society), for being a great resource. You can visit their website at https://www.bklynlibrary.org/location...

You can visit us on social media at:
Twitter: @the_dcshow
Instagram: the_dcshow
Our website: dcshow.io

All asset use in this video is protected by the Fair Use act.

Music Credits:
Free Range, by Mona Wonderlick:    • Free Range – Mona Wonderlick (No Copy...  

Far Away, by Sarah Jansen:    • Far Away – Sarah Jansen (No Copyright...  

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Chill Day, By Lakey Inspired:    • LAKEY INSPIRED  Chill Day  

Island, By Jarico:    • Video  

Good Evening, By Amine Maxwell:    • Good Evening — Amine Maxwell | Free B...  

To Pass Time, By Godmode:    • Video  

Good Old Days, By Joakim Karud:    • Joakim Karud  Good Old Days (Vlog No...  

Pulse, By Geographer:    • Geographer  Pulse [Free2Use]