Greenpoint

Greenpoint is a neighborhood in the northern part of Brooklyn, New York City. Located on the East River, it sits across from Queens and is adjacent to Williamsburg to the south. The area encompasses a mix of residential blocks, industrial sites, and waterfront parks, with a street plan shaped by older warehouses and modern infill.

Greenpoint has a long industrial history dating to Dutch colonial times, but it grew most as a manufacturing and shipbuilding hub in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Immigrant communities, especially Polish and other Eastern European groups, established commercial corridors, churches, and social organizations that shaped the neighborhood’s character for generations. In the later 20th century, industrial activity declined and many buildings were repurposed.

Since the 1990s and 2000s, Greenpoint has undergone notable gentrification, with renovated lofts, new apartments, and a growing number of cafes, restaurants, and specialty shops. The Polish community remains influential, though the area has become more diverse in terms of ethnicity and income. The waterfront has attracted new development while retaining some historic industrial fabric.

Landmarks and amenities include Transmitter Park, a waterfront green space along the East River, and nearby McCarren Park, which anchors the shared border with neighboring areas. The Domino Sugar Refinery site, on the Greenpoint–Williamsburg border, is undergoing redevelopment as a mixed-use complex.

Public transportation is supported by the G subway line, with stations at Greenpoint Avenue and Nassau Avenue, plus several bus routes on Manhattan and Greenpoint Avenues. The neighborhood is connected to both Brooklyn and Queens via local streets and bridges, and it remains a destination for residents seeking a blend of old industrial charm and new urban amenities.