#299 The Promenade and Preservation of Brooklyn Heights
Sep 19, 2019
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Discover the evolution of Brooklyn Heights from a rural land to an artist enclave, the battle to preserve its architectural marvels against a highway development, and the creation of the iconic Brooklyn Heights Promenade offering exceptional views of New York Harbor. Dive into the history of the neighborhood's Bohemian transformation, preservation efforts, and the dilemma over the reconstruction of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway impacting the community.
Brooklyn Heights became a historic district in the 1960s through community efforts and federal recognition.
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade preserved the neighborhood's skyline and charm by covering the BQE highway.
The influx of 'brownstoneers' in the late 1940s contributed to the preservation of Brooklyn Heights' historic integrity.
Deep dives
Historic Preservation and Landmark Designation
In the 1960s, the efforts of the Brooklyn Heights Association and key figures like Otis Pratt Pierseau led to Brooklyn Heights being designated as the first ever historic district in New York City. Clay Lancaster's detailed book, 'The Old Brooklyn Heights,' documented the historical qualities of the area's notable architectural styles from the 1820s onwards. The landmark protection was further bolstered by a designation from the federal Department of Interior, recognizing Brooklyn Heights as a national historic landmark.
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade
The construction of the iconic Brooklyn Heights Promenade began in the 1940s and opened to the public in 1950, offering stunning views of Lower Manhattan. The idea for the promenade on top of the two-level cantilevered expressway, known as the BQE, was proposed by Brooklyn Heights leaders, including Roy Richardson and Fred Nittardi. The promenade serves as a lid to the highway below, preserving the historic neighborhood's skyline and contributing to its charm.
Impact of Urban Professionals on Brooklyn Heights
In the late 1940s, urban professionals known as 'brownstoneers' began moving into Brooklyn Heights, purchasing abandoned houses in the historic neighborhood. Drawn to the elegant homes and vintage charm, these residents played a significant role in the neighborhood's preservation. Their presence helped maintain the area's historic integrity and drove a surge in support for landmark protection.
St. Anne's Warehouse and Arts Program
Arts at St. Anne's, later known as St. Anne's Warehouse, was established in a historic church building on Montague Street in the late 1960s. The venue became renowned for its avant-garde theatrical performances and musical programs. In 2015, St. Anne's Warehouse relocated to a new stage in a refurbished tobacco warehouse in Dumbo, continuing to showcase innovative art and performances.
Challenges with the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE)
The current plans to rebuild the BQE under the Brooklyn Heights Promenade pose a challenge to the historic landmark. Proposals include constructing a temporary highway west of the current location to minimize disruption to the promenade during the construction process. The BQE project demonstrates the ongoing tension between infrastructure improvements and the preservation of historic neighborhoods like Brooklyn Heights.
Current Controversies and Future Prospects
The proposed reconstruction of the BQE beneath the Brooklyn Heights Promenade has sparked debates and concerns among residents. Various alternatives have been suggested, including radical ideas like relocating or eliminating the expressway altogether. The community's resistance reflects a desire to balance modern infrastructure needs with the preservation of Brooklyn Heights' historic and architectural character.
EPISODE 299: Part Two of our series on the history of Brooklyn Heights, one of New York City's oldest neighborhoods.
By the 1880s, Brooklyn Heights had evolved from America's first suburb into the City of Brooklyn's most exclusive neighborhood, a tree-lined destination of fine architecture and glorious institutions.
The Heights would go on a roller-coaster ride with the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge and the transformation of Brooklyn into a borough of Greater New York. The old-money wealthy classes would leave, and the stately homes would be carved into multi-family dwellings and boarding houses.
The new subway would bring the bohemians of Greenwich Village into Brooklyn Heights, transforming it into an artist enclave for most of the century. But even with addition of trendy hotels and the Brooklyn Dodgers (whose front office was located here), the Heights faced an uncertain future.
When Robert Moses began planning his Brooklyn Queens Expressway in the 1940s, he planned a route that would sever Brooklyn Heights and obliterate many of its most spectacular homes. It would take a devoted community and some very clever ideas to re-route that highway and cover it with something extraordinary -- a Promenade, allowing all New Yorkers to enjoy the exceptional views of New York Harbor.
This drama only served to highlight the value and unique nature of Brooklyn Heights and its extraordinary architecture, leading New York to designate the former tranquil suburb on a plateau into the city's first historic district.
FEATURING: Truman Capote, Jackie Robinson, Gypsy Rose Lee, St. Ann's Warehouse, Matt Damon and the Jehovah's Witnesses!
