Photo: April, 2007
This view is of Bridge Street looking South into the Fulton Mall from Willoughby Street. The Mall between Flatbush Avenue on the East Side through to Boerum Place on the West Side, have been the central hub of Downtown Brooklyn throughout it's history. Department Stores, Movie Theaters, Restaurants, Transportation were the reasons to get, and be there.
Side streets were an afterthought because after sundown, the neighborhood got very quiet. I bring this up because the rezoning of the neighborhood was structured to bring more residents to the area by creating housing that didn't exist up until now. For those who have seen the changes made to Times Square from what it used to be prior to 1990s, the comparison of change on 42nd Street is less than what will be the ultimate changes taking place in Downtown Brooklyn.
This particular block of Downtown Brooklyn has shifted dramatically from what is shown here. The Avalon, and AVA apartments (58 floors 826 units between two connected buildings) now occupy the lots on the left side all the way up to the building with the water tower atop. those three-floor walk-ups were razed.
The subway entrances were renovated along with the construction. This M and R subway station was later renamed to Jay Street Metrotech when the MTA connected the A, C & F lines with this M & R lines by passageway. The two-floor building on the right side of this street was razed to make way for 388 Bridge Street, a 54 floor, 378 apartment rental/condo mixed building.
I reference two nouns in this article that require clarity. Fulton Mall, and Downtown Brooklyn. They’re not the same thing. Fulton Mall is situated in the neighborhood of Downtown Brooklyn. When I reference the Fulton Mall, I’m speaking about the sidewalks and street of Fulton Street in Downtown Brooklyn bound by Flatbush Avenue on the East, Boerum Place/Adams Street on the West.
Did you know that every side-street on Fulton Mall begins/ends there? Take a look on this Map.
Do you have memories of visiting, working, shopping or just hanging out in Downtown Brooklyn? Share them here on Substack.
Til next time,
Kenneth