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Boundaries: Hudson Street to Fulton St., Prospect Street to John Street/East River. Adjacent neighborhoods: Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Navy Yard Subway stops: F to York Street or A, C to High Street Ferry: The East River Commuter Ferry on Fulton Ferry Landing takes you to Pier 11 on Wall Street. It is operated by NY Water Taxi. |
History: The development of DUMBO is closely tied to its waterfront. The name DUMBO was coined by some soul, nobody knows who, in the 1970s. Before that the area was known as Fulton Landing (between the bridges) and Vinegar Hill (east of Manhattan Bridge). Vinegar Hill, previously called Irish Town because of the many Irish who settled here, was named after a place where Irish rebels battled the Brits in County Wexford, Ireland in 1798.
As all of Brooklyn, the area was settled by Dutch farmers in the mid 17th century. Soon regular ferries ran back and forth between Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront. Robert Fulton introduced steamboat service in 1814 from the pier of Old Fulton Street. The area soon became Brooklyn's commercial center as evidenced by the name "Main Street" in DUMBO. It was a bustling commercial center with numerous warehouses, taverns, inns, shops and farmers markets. Industry developed in the 19th century: The Sweeney Metal Works and the Robert Gair Bottle Cap and Cardboard Box Manufacturing (corrugated cardboard was in invented in DUMBO) were two prominent companies here. You see their names on a number of DUMBO buildings today.
The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883, led to economic decline. Ferry service was no longer needed and the commercial center of gravity shifted southwest towards todays Downtown Brooklyn. With the opening of the Manhattan Bridge in 1909 the area became a backwater and decayed. It was further isolated by the construction of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) in late 1940s. Those buildings which remained habitable were primarily used for sweatshops. In the mid 1970s artists and designers priced out of Manhattan began to discover Vinegar Hill. Cheap rents and incredible spaces, plus the closeness to Manhattan were the driving factors. In 1980 David Walentas through his Two Trees Company got involved. Against all predictions from real estate pundits and many scathing newspaper stories he succeeded in developing the area. Over the years over 500 artist's studios, galleries, theater companies and numerous other arts organizations were lured to DUMBO. In 1998 the area was rezoned and residential development began in earnest.
Neighborhood Blogs &Web Sites we like:
DUMBO - neighborhood improvement district's website
DUMBO NYC - blog of Hideyoshi, a DUMBO resident
DNA - DUMBO Neighborhood Association
Shopping: A bakery, grocery, flower shop, wine store, laundromat, pizzerias and a couple of restaurants right in DUMBO plus deliveries from FoodDirect, you can manage just fine here. If not, ample shopping is available in neighboring Brooklyn Heights, a mere 15 min. walk.
Eating Out: Here is a selection of restaurants from Zagats, New York Times and New York Magazine. For the latest food news check New York Magazine's blog, Grub Street or some of the neighborhood blogs we listed above.
The top rated are:
River Café, American, 1 Water St. (bet. Furman & Old Fulton Sts.), Tel: 718-522-5200 great food, great views!
Five Front, American, 5 Front St. (Old Fulton St.), Tel: 718-625-5559
The Plant, Health Food, Vegan, 25 Jay St. (bet. John & Plymouth Sts.), Tel: 718-722-7541
Bubby's, American, 1 Main St. (bet. Plymouth & Water Sts.), Tel: 718-222-0666
Some good, yet economical places:
Rice American, 81 Washington St. (bet. Front & York Sts.), Tel: 718-222-9880
Miso Japanese, 38 Main St. at Water Street, (718) 858-8388
Pizzerias
Front Street 80 Front St. at Washington Street, Tel: 718-857-3700, modern place, pretty good pizzas.
Grimaldi's 19 Old Fulton St. (bet. Front & Water Sts.), Tel: 718-858-4300, no slices, no delivery, no reservations. Supposedly one of the best pizzas in NYC. Very long waits.
Sweets & Sandwiches:
Almondine, 85 Water St. (Main Street), Tel: (718) 797-5026
Blue Green, organic cafe at the Plant, 25 Jay St. (bet. John & Plymouth Sts.), Tel: 718-722-7541
DUMBO General Store, 111 Front St. (Washington St.), Tel: 718-855-5288
Jacques Torres Chocolate 66 Water St. (Main Street) Tel: (718) 875-9772, chocolate factory & café - unbeatable!
Foragers Market 56 Adams St. at Front Street, Tel: (718) 801-8400, sandwiches and prepared dishes
post your comments herelast updated: October 15, 2008