New York real estate: Crown Heights

By Emily Ngo | emily.ngo@am-ny.com

March 6, 2008

A view down New York Ave at Eastern Parkway in the Crown Heights district of Brooklyn. (RJ Mickelson / March 5, 2008)

As the heart of Brooklyn's Caribbean and Hasidic Jewish communities, Crown Heights deserves its reputation as a cultural touchstone. It is home to the annual West Indian Carnival Parade as well as the international headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement.

Now, a growing number of young transplants, wooed by affordable housing and a central location, are helping Crown Heights to further diversify.

"Before, if you saw someone white, they were Hasidic; if they weren't white, they were African-American," said real-estate agent and longtime resident J.J. Katz. "Now, we're Chinese, American, everything. It's a cholent, a stew as they would say in Hebrew."

With difficult ethnic clashes behind it -- the infamous 1991 riots lasted three days and left at least 190 people injured -- residents seem united in their appreciation of Crown Heights' charms and conveniences.

"There are lots of ways and means to get around," said Joan Redman, 49, who lives at the north end of Crown Heights. "I call the bus my big Mercedes-Benz and the train my iron horse."

Construction manager Andrew Noel added: "It's the equator of Brooklyn. Why wouldn't people want to come here?"

Find it

Crown Heights is bounded by Atlantic Avenue to the north, Ralph Avenue to the east, Linden Boulevard to the south and Washington Avenue to the west.

The buzz

Known for its rows of brownstones, residential Crown Heights is now forced to accommodate an influx of young professionals as well as a baby boom within the established communities. Condos are being erected all over the area's south end on Lefferts and East New York avenues and Maple and Midwood streets. The largest is a pricey 94-unit complex at Crown Street and Albany Avenue. On the neighborhood's north side, townhouses -- many built in the Neo-Renaissance revival style -- are the major draw.

Real Estate

Homes in Crown Heights are more affordable -- and more spacious -- than in neighboring Prospect Heights and Park Slope. Handsome brownstones, newer condos and multi-family houses are common. Although more condos are being built for sale, the slumping economy has made potential residents more hesitant to buy them. Apartments in the neighborhood are available for rent directly by owner, helping you to avoid brokers' fees.

For rent

Two-bedroom, one-bath with bay windows facing Eastern Parkway at New York Avenue: $2,300.

Two-and-a-half-bedroom, one-bath in 1,100-square-foot space on Lincoln Place at New York Avenue: $1,950.

Two-bedroom, two-bath condo with duplex layout on Albany Avenue at Sterling Place: $1,600.

Two-bedroom, one-bath in 780-square-foot apartment with new hardwood floors on Park Place at Nostrand Avenue: $1,400.

For sale

Two-family, two-story house at 1501 Union St. near Kingston Avenue: $825,000.

Three-family, three-story house at 580 E. New York Ave. near Kingston Avenue: $770,000.

Four-bedroom, two-bath condo at 384 Maple St. at New York Avenue: $670,000.

Three-bedroom, two-bath condo at 575 E. New York Ave. near Kingston Avenue: $549,000.

Recently sold

Two-family, three-story house at 1431 Union St., sold in December: $840,000.

Two-family, two-story house 1569 Union St., sold in January: $670,000.

Condo at 730 Lefferts Ave., Unit B, sold in February: $437,500.

Contact: For rentals, The Corcoran Group (212) 355-3550. For sales, contact J.J. Katz at 718-363-3932, ext. 101 at Heights Properties, Inc.

To eat

Crown Heights boasts the best Jewish and Caribbean classics in Brooklyn, and possibly the nation, according to residents. And if that weren't incentive enough, the meals are inexpensive. Lunch in Crown Heights can cost as little as $5.

Vee's Restaurant
It's quaint and cramped (plan on taking out), but it's a local favorite for the very best West Indian dishes. The curry goat with white rice comes highly recommended.
967 Nostrand Ave.
718-368-3826

Mendy's Kosher Delicatessen
The Brooklyn branch of this Glatt Kosher institution shares a space with the Jewish Children's Museum. Swing by to sample the world-famous corned beef sandwich and matzo ball soup.
792 Eastern Parkway 718-907-8877

Sunshine Restaurant
The prices are steep for Crown Heights (you may break the $10 mark), but the yummy oxtail and other entrees are well worth the spurge. With exposed brick walls and fresh flowers on every table, Sunshine is a pleasant lunch spot.
803 Nostrand Ave. 718-604-0396

Brooklyn Exposure
Fresh salads and sandwiches make for the perfect Sunday brunch at Brooklyn Exposure, which boasts home-style cooking. Come in the evenings for an all-American burger and to listen to the live jazz band.
1401 Bedford Ave.
718-783-8220

Boulevard Cafe
Like other Kosher restaurants, the menu here is under strict rabbinical supervision. The diverse, and delicious, offerings include avocado cheese sandwiches and pesto-marinated snapper.
510 Empire Blvd.
718-221-2260

Golden Place Bakery
Patrons flood into this Caribbean spot as soon as it opens its doors in the morning. Golden Place offers seven types of warm doughy roti and fist-sized coconut drops.
788 Nostrand Ave.
718-735-7065

To play
The nightspots in Crown Heights are far from snooty and all have a neighborhood feel. Many offer jazz, but most are just about having a drink with a friend.

Ripple Bar
It's a dive bar -- neon sign and all -- but it's a good dive bar. Ripple Bar is cozy and comfortable with candles on every table and gauzy curtains separating the bar from the back room. The drinks are strong, though, so pace yourself.
769 Washington Ave.
718-230-4514

VIP Bar & Grill Inc.
Don't let the darkened windows intimidate you. One step inside and the friendly bartenders and patrons will have you feeling like you've been coming here for years. Instead of being located against a wall, the bar sits island-style at the center of the room, making it easy to take in the scene.
835 Nostrand Ave.
718-221-8370

95 South
A newer edition to Franklin Avenue, 95 South is a great place to catch the game. It offers classic pub food like any other sports bar, but the sophisticated decor and handsome glass doors are far from frat-ish.
778 Franklin Ave.

Tavern on Nostrand
The newly opened bar/restaurant offers great jazz music on Fridays and Saturdays without all the pretension and fuss. The dinners and drinks are reasonably priced, and the atmosphere is warm and comfortable.
813 Nostrand Ave.
718-778-7160

To do
Prospect Park, the Botanic Garden and the Brooklyn Museum are just blocks outside the boundaries, but Crown Heights has culture- and history-rich attractions of its own.

Eastern Parkway
This grand four-mile stretch is the world's first parkway, constructed in the 1870s for "pleasure-riding and driving," according to the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Run or walk the tree-lined path east to Prospect Park.

Chabad-Lubavitch international headquarters
More commonly known as "770," this building is the central headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, one of the largest Hasidim sects. The Collegiate-Gothic-style building front has been replicated in Jerusalem and Melbourne, Australia.
770 Eastern Parkway

Jewish Children's Museum
It's geared toward elementary-school-aged children with its hands-on exhibits, but for anyone unfamiliar with or curious about Jewish culture, this museum is a great introduction. Permanent exhibits include "6 Days of Creation" and "Kosher Kitchen."
792 Eastern Parkway
718-467-0600

Crown Heights Youth Collective
Youths in the community have looked to the collective for solace and guidance for almost 30 years. Among their projects are gorgeous murals with powerful messages seen all over the community, including a grid of angelic figures painted right outside the building.
915 Franklin Ave.
718-756-7600

To shop
There's no shortage of beauty-supply and dollar-goods stores for residents, but visitors to Crown Heights come for its organic-food offerings.

Mr. Greens
The store lives up to its motto ("A Passion for Produce") by offering a vast array of fresh, organic produce. They even make custom-squeezed juices. Best of all, Mr. Greens will deliver groceries to your doorstep.
330 Albany Ave.
(718) 774-7336

Nature's Organic Natural Foods
Spacious and bright, this shop will wow you with its varieties of teas and dropper-top extracts. It has organic staples such as soy milk and vegetables, but also offers organic pet food.
776 Nostrand Ave.
718-773-4649

Climax Official
This store boasts hip-hop and athletic-style clothing that almost anyone can wear.
775 Franklin Ave.
(718) 221-8989

Uprising Sounds & Accessories
Tucked away from Nostrand Avenue, this studio boutique, which keeps odd hours, evokes an airport gift shop. It sells a little of everything uniquely Caribbean.
847 St. Johns Place

Q&A
Geoffrey Joe, a Trinidadian native, has owned commercial property in Crown Heights for nine years and operates Sunshine Restaurant on Nostrand Avenue.

What are the new neighborhood people like?
A different group of people have been moving in the last two years. A different class. More upper- and middle-class people and more ethnic groups.

What do you think draws them to Crown Heights?
They come to buy condos and because the rent is more moderate. They come, and then they want nicer restaurants.

Has the restaurant business changed to accommodate them?
Restaurants have gone from these hole-in-the-wall, $2 joints to places like here, El Dorado [887 Nostrand Ave.] and Tavern on Nostrand [813 Nostrand Ave.] A new crowd means stricter safety and food regulations, so the quality is higher.

What do you see happening to area restaurants in upcoming years?
There will be more restaurants, of course. Nicer ones, because people will want to pay more than $2 for good food. There's always a need for food; people must eat.

The basics

Crime

According to the 77th Precinct, which encompasses most of the neighborhood, there had been 43 felony assaults at this point last year, versus 25 this year. There had been two rapes at this point in 2007, versus three this year. There had been two murders at this point last year, versus three this year .

Schools

The neighborhood boasts dozens of private and public elementary and high schools, including the renowned Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment. Among other schools are P.S. 161 Crown School, P.S. 241 Emma L. Johnston School, Foundations Academy and St. Gregory the Great School. CUNY's Medgar Evers College is the largest college within the boundaries, and several yeshivas -- Hadar Hatorah and Lubavitcher among them -- call Crown Heights home.

Transportation Several bus routes run through Crown Heights, which is also serviced by the LIRR. The A and C, Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5 and Franklin shuttle trains all serve the area.