Gowanus, Brooklyn, NY
About Gowanus, Brooklyn
Gowanus is a newly developed industrial neighborhood in Southern Brooklyn. The neighborhood is bound by Wyckoff Street to the North, Gowanus Expressway to the South, 4th Ave to the East, and Bond Street to the West. Gowanus was formerly a manufacturing area that was cut off from residential development because of zoning laws. The area was rezoned in the 2000s and beginning in the early 2010s, Gowanus underwent a community revitalization.
The neighborhood is still an industrial area but many new residential buildings, restaurants, and coworking office spaces have begun to move into the neighborhood. It's a quiet, off the beaten path kind of neighborhood. You won't find many chain stores or shopping centers, but you will find open-air barbecues and shuffleboard clubs. It's an area for urban explorers looking to develop one of the final frontiers of Brooklyn real estate.
History of Gowanus
Gowanus was originally the territory of the Canarsie Native Americans. Gowanus Bay became the first site of the Dutch settlement in Brooklyn. The area was originally meadowlands that housed the grist mills that produced flowers for early settlements. Gowanus was also the site of the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War. In 1860, the Gowanus Creek was turned into a canal and became a major hub for shipping and transportation. The neighborhood remained a sparsely inhabited industrial zone until the 2000’s when a wave of new development swept through Brooklyn. In the early 2010s a community of artists and urban developers embarked on a mission to revitalize the neighborhood and today you’ll find several quaint coffee shops and residential buildings.
Demographics of Gowanus
Approximately 14,000 people live in Gowanus. It’s an ethnically diverse neighborhood. The Gowanus community is roughly 34% white, 29% Hispanic, and 28% black. It tends to be a younger neighborhood, with 26% of residents being between the ages of 25 and 34. However, there is a significant population of families – 19% of residents are under 18 and 26% are between the ages of 35 to 54. It’s a mixed-income neighborhood, with 24% of residents making over $150,000 per year and 25% of residents making less than $25,000 per year. The remaining 51% land somewhere in the middle and the average income is around $85,000.
Transportation in Gowanus
Residents of Gowanus may enjoy a variety of transportation options. The F and G trains both make stops at the 4th Ave station and the D, N, R, W makes stops at Union Street. The B1, B63, and X17 trains all make stops in Gowanus. Plus, the Atlantic Ave – Barclays Center station is just a quick walk or subway ride away and features access to the LIRR and additional busses and trains. Several bike lanes run alongside the Gowanus Canal and the Gowanus Expressway are also available to residents.
Housing in Gowanus
Gowanus is a very unique neighborhood with its mixture of urban decay and modern development. The neighborhood is still quite gritty, and remnants of its industrial past are still evident. Housing in the neighborhood is just beginning to blossom. Most new developments make use of the existing structures and have grown up alongside the canal. The buildings tend to be squat, two to three-story row houses with wrought iron fire escapes. However, there are a few glass adorned buildings with modern architectural detail here and there. Gowanus is a mixture of old and new. There are many refurbished pre war buildings as well as stunning developments that are less than 10 years old. Residents can choose whether they prefer rustic finishes or high-tech luxury with old-school charm.
Neighborhood Life in Gowanus
The local culture of Gowanus is still relatively young, however, there are a few hips, local spots that have popped up over the past decade. Residents are known to hang out at the shuffleboard club on Union Street or the Archery and Axe Throwing Range on Baltic. There are also several cool bars and restaurants in Gowanus, like Pig Beach – an outdoor barbecue joint where residents can watch their food be pit roasted fresh to order. It’s an eclectic neighborhood that is still developing an identity and residents tend to be an adventurous bunch who are up for anything.
Similar Neighborhoods to Gowanus, Brooklyn
Gowanus Real Estate Trends
Although Gowanus was late to the Brooklyn development party, the neighborhood has seen an impressive transformation over the past decade. The average home price has increased by 80% over the past five years and that trend will likely continue. Most of the new development is happening alongside the Canal, on Bond Street or Union Street. It’s a neighborhood that is still in the process of transforming from a manufacturing hub to a residential community and there is still some work to be done. The Gowanus Canal was declared a Superfund site in 2010, due to a large amount of industrial pollution that was dumped into it over the years. The cleanup is due to start in September and is projected to be finished by 2022. This will likely lead to a spike in new developments and a surge of new residents, once completed.
The Truth You Should Know Gowanus, Brooklyn
How Safe is Gowanus?
Gowanus is a safe neighborhood. It has an average rate of violent crime for NYC - which is already much safer than most large cities -and a below-average rate of property crime. The biggest issue in the neighborhood is the occasional auto theft that can be common on the Park Slope side of the neighborhood. It’s an area that’s secluded from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Brooklyn or Williamsburg. Residents report that crime is rarely an issue, but the pollution in the canal can be an unsightly neighborhood feature that requires attention from the city.
Are the Schools Good in Gowanus?
The schools in Gowanus are decent. PS 32 Samuels Mills Spole is a highly rated PK – 5 School and PS 372 The Children's School is also in Gowanus. The New Horizons School is likewise in Gowanus and serves grades 6 through 8. The Cobble Hill School of American Studies is the only public high school in Gowanus. However, the Al Madinah School is a private K-12 school in the area. The infrastructure of the community is still developing and thus the schools tend to be small and somewhat sparse in the Gowanus.
Popular Eateries in Gowanus, Brooklyn
Things to Do in Gowanus, Brooklyn
Play a game of shuffleboard at Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club on Union Street
Grab a drink at Threes Brewing, the alehouse on Douglass Street has a large outdoor area where patrons can relax and have a conversation
Go rock-climbing at Brooklyn Boulders on Degraw Street
Check out Public Records, the venue describes itself as a multifaceted driven social space that hosts DJ sets, a magazine shop, a hi-fi record bar, and a vegan café.
See a comedy show or musical performance at the Bell House, performers like Charlette Gainsbourg and Pete Davidson have been known the grace the stage.
Spend an afternoon getting lunch and enjoy some ax throwing at Kick Axe Throwing Brooklyn on Degraw Street
Is Gowanus Dog Friendly?
Yes, Gowanus is very dog friendly. Many apartments are pet friendly and canine companions are often seen jogging with owners alongside the canal (just don’t let them go in the water). Many restaurants in the neighborhood allow pets as well, like Mission Dolores on 4th St and The Owl Farm on 9th St. There aren’t many large parks in the neighborhood, but Prospect Park isn’t far for those looking to walk their furry friend.
Is Gowanus Good for Cycling?
Yes, it’s a great neighborhood for cycling. The tree lined streets of Gowanus are great for bike riding on a crisp fall day. Prospect Park is just a short ride away, and there are bike lanes along the canal for those who need it. ACME Bicycle company is a bike shop on Degraw Street, where residents can pick up a new bike or get an old one fixed. The quiet, serene streets of Gowanus are a biker’s paradise and many new buildings make accommodations for bikes
3 Things to Know Before Moving to Gowanus, Brooklyn
The Barclays Center is nearby, and attendees of events often spill over into Gowanus on busy nights
The canal is polluted from years of industrial waste. Do NOT let your children or pets go in or even near the water
Traditional office space in Gowanus is limited but there are many co-working options available to paying members.