Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY
About Red Hook, Brooklyn
Red Hook was historically a busy shipyard, but is now a growing, eclectic community. Young professionals flock to the neighborhood’s low-key bars and crab shacks, while artists thrive in its brick warehouses along cobblestoned alleys.
The housing is still relatively affordable, but don’t expect that to last—developers are turning their attention to the waterfront, which offers incredible views of the Statue of Liberty. Red Hook is somewhat isolated with no real subway access, but the ferry can get you to lower Manhattan in under 20 minutes.
The History of Red Hook
The Lenape people once tilled the area’s tide pools for oysters until the Dutch arrived in 1636 to settle the village of Roode Hoek. Red Hook became an important seaport in the 1800s, and by the early 20th century it was a bustling longshoreman community famously memorialized in the Marlon Brando film On the Waterfront. The neighborhood fell into decline as the shipping industry shifted towards larger container ports, and the BQE effectively cut off the neighborhood from the rest of the borough in the 1950s. Today, Red Hook still looks much as it did in the late 1800s and locals take great pride in the area’s maritime history, however some of the area’s historic buildings are being razed to make room for new housing developments.
Red Hook Demographics
There were just over 11,000 people living in Red Hook in 2018. About 36% percent of people here identify as black, 36% as latino, 18% as white, and 8% as Asian or Pacific Isalnder, and about a third of people moved here after 2010. There are slightly more families with young children here than in other NYC neighborhoods and the median income here is much lower than the NYC average.
Transportation in Red Hook
Red Hook does not have its own subway station and locals must trek up to a mile away to the Smith-9th St station in nearby Carroll Gardens to catch the F train to Manhattan. Thankfully ferry service was introduced here in 2018, which can shuttle commuters to lower Manhattan in about 18 minutes. The B61 bus runs frequently along Van Brunt St. and can get you to Downtown Brooklyn or Park Slope in 15 minutes.
Housing in Red Hook
Most housing in Red Hook was constructed before 1960 and the majority of available units consist of well-appointed loft apartments in renovated warehouses, however there is a smattering of charming single family homes around Van Brunt St that date back to the turn of the century. There’s a spate of new development planned for Red Hook near the waterfront, so expect more modern luxury condos to hit the market in ten years time. About half of the housing here is owned and operated by the NYC Housing Authority.
Neighborhood Life in Red Hook
Most people are attracted to Red Hook for its remote edge-of-the-world feel and unique maritime history. There’s still plenty of industry west of Van Brunt St, where you’ll find both metalworking shops and art galleries operating in Civil War-era warehouses under beautiful vaulted ceilings with stunning views of New York Harbor. As you’d expect from a former longshoreman community, Red Hook is home to some of the oldest bars in Brooklyn and has no shortage of great seafood, however the area is rapidly losing some of its most historic buildings to development, prompting community preservation efforts.
Similar Neighborhoods to Red Hook
Red Hook Real Estate Trends
There isn’t much inventory in Red Hook as most buildings are either zoned commercial/industrial or operated by the NYCHA, however homes can sell for upwards of $1 million around here. The area is likely to become even more desirable thanks to new ferry service and numerous plans for large scale development.
The Truth You Should Know About Red Hook
How Safe is Red Hook?
Crime rates in Red Hook are slightly above average. Some streets near the waterfront don’t have any streetlights and can appear unsafe after dark.
Are the Schools in Red Hook Good?
Schools in Red Hook are generally rated below average and PS 15 falls below state thresholds for Math and English, however the Pave Academy Charter School on Henry St. is well regarded and accepts students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. A new Maritime themed Middle School is planned to open by 2023 and is expected to serve as a feeder school the New York Harbor School on Governors Island, which specialized in marine biology and vessel logistics.
Popular Eateries in Red Hook?
Although plenty of locals would be content to live off the bountiful produce at the Fairway Market, Red Hook has no shortage of great restaurants. @grid
Red Hook Lobster Pound
Seafood
284 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn NY 11231Brooklyn Ice House
BBQ/Pub
318 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn NY 11231Brooklyn Crab
Seafood
24 Reed St, Brooklyn NY 11231Defontes
Sandwiches
379 Columbia St, Brooklyn NY 11231Jam’It Bistro
Caribbean/Seafood
367 Columbia St, Brooklyn NY 11231Red Hood Food Vendors
Salvadoran Food Truck
155 Bay St, Brooklyn NY 11231
What to Do in Red Hook, Brooklyn?
Take the family to the Waterfront Barge Museum, a floating theater on a real life Lehigh Valley barge.
Catch a bluegrass show in the back room at Sunny’s, a beloved neighborhood bar that’s been serving up drinks since the 1890s.
Invite your friends for a cookout at Coffey Park while your kids play in the renovated jungle gym.
Visit the art galleries along historic Van Brunt St. then treat yourself to a tasting at the Red Hook Winery.
Take a FREE (yes, free!) kayak ride at the Louis Valentino Pier.
Is Red Hook, Brooklyn Dog Friendly?
Yes! Dog ownership in Red Hook is very high, and dog owners can enjoy seven enclosed dog runs as well as miles of beautiful waterfront trails for evening walks. You may have to take your pet to nearby Cobble Hill for all his medical and beauty needs though, as there aren’t a lot of veterinarians or dog groomers around here.
Is Red Hook, Brooklyn Good for Cycling?
The area has some great bike lanes along Inlay and Columbia St., however some of the streets near the waterfront are laid with cobblestones and train tracks which can be challenging for cyclists. There are several neighborhood bike shops and 8 bike share stations in the Red Hook.
3 Things to Know Before Moving to Red Hook, Brooklyn
Much of Red Hook falls in a flood zone, and the neighborhood experienced significant flooding during hurricane Sandy.
Red Hook’s industrial land has the potential to transform dramatically with luxurious high-rise development over the next decade, so if you’re looking for a quiet neighborhood you may want to look elsewhere.
Most of the fields in Red Hook Park are closing for a multi-year cleanup due to lead levels in the soil.