Williamsburg is an area located at the western edge of Brooklyn, just across Manhattan over East River. When I first went to Williamsburg for visiting my friend near the photo above 25 years ago, the neighborhood around Bedford Avenue, one of the area’s main streets, wasn’t only scary but had nothing. The area had no fancy shop and not many people walking. The most visible thing was warehouses (my friend also lived one of the old warehouse lofts). The area was dark and empty. That was not the area I wanted to take a walk. There was no development concept of waterfront or convenient location just across Manhattan around that era.
Time flies and now Williamsburg is one of the most trendy areas in New York City where also many tourists know. Only 7-8 minutes away from 14th Street and Union Square in Manhattan, nobody would keep Williamsburg as “an abandoned area”. Apartment situation was improved besides higher rent, and now many luxurious condominiums were built. The population was increased. Many popular restaurants, cafes, and stores attract a lot of people to the area.
Williamsburg is a hip neighborhood now but still keeps good old Brooklyn. There are still many old, low-rise brown brick apartments and brownstones. Edges and vibes are bolder than Manhattan. The area is now really nice to walk around.
Spring arrived in New York City and the weather became clear on the evening of first Saturday in April. I enjoyed taking a walk around the area with my camera.
The intersection of North 7th Street and Bedford Avenue. With Bedford Avenue Station of L train, this is considered as the center of Williamsburg.Bedford Avenue Station of L train is just behind of the first photo. This is the first stop in Brooklyn along L train and only 3 stops away from Union Square in Manhattan, one of the transit hub and shopping district. As ridership keeps increasing, the frequency of L train is also increased, now runs every 5-8 minutes on daytime. The problem of this station is there are only 2 narrow stairs on Bedford Avenue side exit (there is another exit on Driggs Avenue). Everytime train arrives, the stairs get congested like this photo.North 7 Street just beside the subway station. The stairs of Bedford Avenue Station is the stairways to good old Brooklyn. The world is different with Manhattan. Streets are narrower, buildings are shorter, no polished, and a little more laid back than Manhattan. Brooklyn was an independent city until late 19th century and still keeps their own pride.Spring has arrived in New York City. Beautiful flowers in the front porch of a brownstone on Bedford Avenue. Although still above average in the beginning of April, today (April 2) was cool comparing with very warm yesterday. Today was 60 F (16 C), yesterday was 80 F (27 C)! No April Fool.Daytime backyard party on North 11th Street. Looks like they were having fun!44 Berry Street, a stunning loft style condominium that is almost 100 years old.The backside of Brooklyn Brewery with its logo on The North 11th Street. I wish the lower position was not the huge garbage yard so I would take a better photo.The entrance of Brooklyn Brewery tour. The tour is fun. Also, I suggest you drink their beer when you visit New York City. That’s dark and dry lager beer and very tasty. Many New York restaurants have Brooklyn Brewery beers.People were enjoying the afternoon cocktails at outside seating area. Trix pub on Bedford Avenue and North 9th Street.Toby’s Estate is a popular coffee shop and roaster located on North 6th Street. The store was larger than average NYC coffee shops but packed! Nice interior, also. They have 3 other locations in Manhattan.Impressive Mexican seafood store located on the corner of Wythe Avenue and North 7th Street. Rosarito Fish Shack.Next store of Rosarito Fish Shack also has an impressive rusty wall. Shelter is the store name, mainly serving empanadas and pizza but also serves other main dishes.The wall of Shelter. Obviously used an old warehouse building.Opposite side view of Shelter.Not only Shelter, Williamsburg has many wall arts, developed from graffiti. One of the most impressive wall art was this. Question is I don’t know who they are. Is left person Andy Warhol or Iggy Pop (although I can read Holt) ?Another wall art in an apartment building.This is a wall art but actually an advertisement by Diesel. This wall art was so huge and hard to capture in camera because there were many cars parked on the street behind. I like this style of advertisement.Many new developments are still going on like this newly constructed high rise condo in Williamsburg. Bushwick Inlet Park and Williamsburg Bridge.I was surprised Bushwick Inlet Park made a lot of changes. If not my mistake, I think I didn’t see this soccer field last year. Unique glass field viewing area on the back. Unofficial dog park and swim (?) with spectacular skyline view. The female dog on the left kept swimming in the river for a long time. Magnificent view of Manhattan skyscraper. The density of high rises is contrast with Williamsburg across East River.Bright evening sun over the Manhattan downtown.
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thursdayinterview
8 years ago
The other artist in the mural with Andy Warhol is Jean Michael Basquiat. They were good friends. http://basquiat.com/
Ooooh, the guy who was on Madonna’s old photos! So the another one was Andy Warhol, I wasn’t sure whether the paint was Warhol or Iggy Pop. Good to know. Thanks!
The other artist in the mural with Andy Warhol is Jean Michael Basquiat. They were good friends. http://basquiat.com/
Ooooh, the guy who was on Madonna’s old photos! So the another one was Andy Warhol, I wasn’t sure whether the paint was Warhol or Iggy Pop. Good to know. Thanks!