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.