It is a testament
to its ability to reinvent itself while honoring its rich past. Set against the New York Harbor and its shipyards, with red brick buildings that used to house factories and warehouses, it could be described as an industrial bohemian coastal village.
Red Hook’s accessibility to commercial waterways made it attractive as a shipping and manufacturing hub in the industrial era of the mid 1800’s. Dockworkers and factory workers lived in the neighborhoods of Red Hook creating their own seaside community amidst the commercial bustle. The 20th century marked the decline of Red Hook as a premier hub as manufacturing moved away from urban dense areas. Shipping also went the way of containerization driving the need for larger ports and deeper harbors. Red Hook’s fortune was beginning to take a hit. Robert Moses’ creation of the Gowanus Expressway in the 1940’s hastened this decline even more by effectively cutting off Red Hook from the rest of the Brooklyn neighborhoods.
But with unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline, the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty, Red Hook’s prime waterfront perch is once again ushering a real estate renaissance today as developers and homebuyers continue to be attracted by Red Hook’s unique location.
Types of Homes/Inventory
Red Hook real estate is experiencing an enormous surge in interest – couple that with limited housing stock and it’s a recipe for driving up prices. To underscore this point, not too long ago blocks of underutilized land were converted to create a townhome community and very quickly sold out. Newer boutique condominiums developed from the ground up, with brick and metal exteriors giving a nod to Red Hook’s industrial roots are home to some of the most sought-after listings. 1st and 2nd floor apartments have external entrances making them feel more like townhouses. These condominiums come with deeded parking, private storage and furnished common rooftop deck. It certainly checks all the right boxes for many homebuyers.
Owing to its maritime history there are many warehouses dotting the waterfront and they have now become prized projects for conversion. These restored/repurposed warehouses may feature garden units that feel more like a house than an apartment. With designer kitchens & living spaces, its luxurious interiors seamlessly blend into wrap-around gardens effectively expanding its living space footprint. These garden units are simply prized sanctuaries in the middle of an urban setting. Top floor units feature penthouses appointed with every imaginable comfort and luxury in mind. Offering expansive waterfront and Manhattan skyline views, these penthouses even come with private landscaped roof decks aimed to elevate the R & R appeal for its residents.
Some of these conversion projects allocate residential use for upper floors and reserve lower floors for mix-use: from classic retail, event/hosting venues to class-based spaces, Red Hook also have real estate listings for entrepreneurs.
Navigating an up-and-coming market like Red Hook can be formidable but with a seasoned expert like Arlene Waye, you can expect the highest quality of options and results. With her deep industry knowledge and local expertise of Brooklyn’s real estate, she and her team can find you the perfect home that fits you the best!
Area & Neighborhood
Red Hook is on the western edge of Brooklyn, sitting on a peninsula jutting out on the bay. It is surrounded by the Upper New York Bay on the west and south, the inlet of Gowanus Canal on the east and bounded by the Gowanus Expressway and the neighborhood of Carroll Gardens on the northeast.
Surrounded by water, one of the best ways to take in Red Hook’s unique setting is to stroll around Pier 44 Waterfront Garden, a community park with a boardwalk, benches, public garden and its centerpiece: the Waterfront Museum, housed on a 1914 barge. It hosts performances and art exhibits together with its ocean-going & railroad artifacts relating to the rich maritime heritage of the New York Harbor. Louis Valentino Jr Park and Pier is another Red Hook gem offering panoramic views of the harbor, Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty as well as the surrounding islands (Governor’s and Staten Island). Red Hook’s eclectic charm with its rich history and evolving silhouette can best be appreciated on foot by taking a walking tour.
Red Hook’s public school system is also a draw for young families looking to move into the neighborhood. Patrick F. Daly (PS 15) with its pioneering inclusive K-5 Program; New York Harbor Middle School (PS 676) offering unique maritime-focused curriculum (marine biology, weather and climate, maritime history, maps and geography) for Grades 6 and up. Many non-zoned public schools as well as private schools in the nearby neighborhoods of Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill additionally offer a variety of options for families.
Local Hotspots & Dining
Red Hook Park is a 58-acre green space scattered near its southern tip and is a haven for all manner of outdoor activities: picnic areas, playgrounds, running tracks and ballfields. The park also has a recreation center and an Olympic-sized pool. In the middle of Red Hook is the smaller Coffey Park, another welcoming neighborhood park with lots of leafy trees, benches, water fountains and picnic & game tables. In the summer months, challenge your kayaking skills with the Red Hook Boaters and paddle out to the New York Harbor for free!
Immerse yourself in art at Pioneer Works, housed in a red brick building built in 1866 for Pioneer Iron Works since repurposed as an art & cultural center. Sample the Record Shop for anything vinyl, or simply hang out to soak in the laid-back but edgy Red Hook vibe.
If all that outdoor recreation and walking has left you famished, fear not you’re in for a treat!
- Drop in at Raaka for a quick pick-me-up with their award-winning handcrafted chocolates
- Defonte’s has been serving up legendary hero’s, pastramis and all sorts of deli offerings since 1922. More than just a shop it’s a purveyor of the Italian-American experience all held in a gastronomical bun
- Red Hook Lobster Pound is sure to satiate your seafood cravings (hint: don’t miss out on the lobster rolls!)
- Wraptor is a fairly new addition to the neighborhood and the locals cannot get enough of it
- For that quintessential pizza (and everything else) it’s a toss-up between Hoek and Mark’s Red Hook Pizza
- Red Hook Tavern brings the old tavern culture of NYC to Brooklyn with its Classic American fare (some say their burgers are the best kept secret!)
- Strong Rope Brewery is a New York State brewery proudly partnering with local farms and malt houses. Its flagship location in Red Hook serves its wide range of beers & assorted drinks along the beautiful waterfront. Sometimes partnering with pop-ups & local food trucks, the brewery is also a BYOF (bring your own food) while encouraging patronage of nearby restaurants and food shops
- Hometown Bar-B-Que specializes in pit-smoked meats in the classic Southern style. They offer walk-up service until they sell out of the day’s offerings. Prepare to get messy and dig in!
- You have to come out and sample Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie and weigh in on what the locals claim as the best key lime pie outside of Florida
- The Good Fork Pub first earned acclaim for Korean style steak and eggs when it first opened in 2006 and has now become a local favorite serving seasonal eclectic and inventive New American/fusion food
- Sample locally-made spirits at these locations: Red Hook Winery, Van Brunt Stillhouse and Widow Jane and admire their craft as well as passion for sustainability
- For a sit down dinner channeling nostalgia, Lundy’s is a throwback like no other. Be prepared to be transported to a bygone era the way only classic restaurants can do
- For cocktails & late night hangouts, head out to Sunny’s Bar, a Red Hook beloved institution
Red Hook continues to amaze with its resilience over the decades. There are talks of moving or upgrading the Red Hook Terminal and re-developing it into a mixed-use waterfront community. Red Hook continues to evolve and move forward while keeping its character rooted in its history. It’s a neighborhood in a flux where rapid changes can come about but its residents & grassroots advocacy form the backbone of the community. Make sure to bookmark this guide and map to keep track of what’s the latest in Red Hook.
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