Fort Greene

HOMES FOR SALE IN FORT GREENE BROOKLYN, NY

Fort Greene is a lively, tree-lined Brooklyn neighborhood steeped in culture and history. The atmosphere feels mellow and intimate, yet densely urban at the same time. It's a close-knit community where you can develop lifelong friendships with your neighbors and where kids play together in the neighborhood park.

Found along Fort Greene’s homey streets are several influential cultural institutions like The Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, and BRIC Arts Media. The area has long been integral to artistic and cultural movements, with literary masters Walt Whitman, John Steinbeck, and even Truman Capote once calling it home. Today, influential artists like filmmaker Spike Lee, a native of Fort Greene, and musician Erykah Badu live or work part time in the community, getting inspiration from its rich cultural heritage.

Found just east of Downtown Brooklyn and right across the river from Manhattan, residents of Fort Greene are close to the best the borough has to offer. Its vibrant food scene, cultural institutions, green spaces, and dynamic street life bring everyone closer together, making it one of the best places to live in Brooklyn.

Basic facts

Location: Fort Greene is bordered by Downtown Brooklyn to the west and Clinton Hill to the east. On the south lies Prospect Heights while Vinegar Hill and DUMBO are the closest neighborhoods to the north.

Land area: About 0.4 square miles

Population: Approximately 33,000 (as of 2020)

Fort Greene has a long history dating back to the American Revolutionary War. What is now Fort Greene Park was once an American fort built in 1776 to defend against the British. In 1812, the fort and its surrounding area were named in honor of General Nathanael Greene, an advisor and close friend of George Washington.

In the decades that followed, Fort Greene became a commercial and industrial center dotted with factories, warehouses, and rail yards. Waves of immigrants from Italy, Ireland, and Germany settled in the neighborhood at the beginning of the 20th century. These and other migrations turned the neighborhood into the cultural melting pot that it is today.

In the mid-19th century, Fort Greene came to be known as a center for the Abolitionist movement and African American culture in Brooklyn, with more than half of the borough's African American population residing in the neighborhood. Modern day Fort Greene is known for its iconic brownstones, tree-lined streets, and vibrant arts scene.

HOUSING MARKET

Fort Greene’s housing market is diverse and competitive. This applies to both renters and buyers, although the rental market is notably larger. Residences are a mix of historic brownstones, some doorman and walk-up buildings, and modern condominiums. Due to the neighborhood’s location and character, demand remains high. Homes for sale in Fort Greene area often receive multiple offers and continuously attract a wide range of buyers.

A balance of old and new construction ensures that prospective renters and owners can find something that suits both their aesthetic preferences and contemporary needs. Most developments in Fort Greene tend to be smaller in scale, usually renovations or conversions of existing buildings that preserve the area’s architectural heritage. The larger, high-rise developments are found along the edges of the neighborhood, especially near Downtown.

Homes for Sale in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY

Fort Greene’s streets are dominated by brownstones—a style emblematic of Brooklyn. Named after the brown sandstone used to build single-family homes in the 19th century, these residences are characterized by their brown facades (although some appear more red or tan), fully attached homes lined up in a row, and stone stoops. A row of attractive, well-preserved brownstones line perhaps the most impressive block of Fort Greene—the street connecting Myrtle and DeKalb Avenue via Washington Park.

The facades of brownstones can come in all manner of architectural styles:

Brownstones are technically townhomes because they share a common wall with the adjacent residence. The only difference is the material used in the construction of the facade. Not all townhouses in Fort Greene are made out of brownstone, others are made out of brick.

Several high rise residences are found on the western border of Fort Greene. In general, their density increases as you approach Downtown Brooklyn. Modern and contemporary condos and apartments are located in the vicinity of Flatbush Avenue, specifically at the Dekalb and Fulton intersections.

A handful of doorman and walk-up buildings make up the rest of available homes for sale in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY. However, the scarcity of these types of buildings results in low vacancy rates, as they are often in high demand.

LIVING IN FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN

An easy commute

Fort Greene is extremely well-connected to the rest of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Several subway lines, including the B, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains, surround the neighborhood. Major stations such as Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center and DeKalb Avenue each serve millions of passengers every year. The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is also nearby, connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan or Long Island. In addition to public transportation, main roads like Flatbush Avenue provide quick access to surrounding areas by taxi or private vehicle.

Schools

Public schools in and around Fort Greene include PS 20 Clinton Hill School and PS 287 Bailey K. Ashford School. For Grades 9-12, Brooklyn Technical High School is a top-tier specialized public high school just south of Fort Greene Park.

Local haunts

There is a large variety of third spaces that locals frequent. Fort Greene Park is the most prominent of these. It’s an expansive 30-acre public park where Fort Greene residents and visitors play basketball or tennis, or relax on its grassy knolls.

Brooklyn Flea offers a treasure trove of unique items and food from small local businesses. In this seasonal weekend market, you’ll find anything from vintage clothing, antiques, artwork, books, and vinyls. But a huge part of its appeal is that there’s really no telling what you’ll find here.

Fulton Street is a casual, diverse, and trendy foodie destination that perfectly encapsulates Fort Greene’s culture and restaurant scene. Habana Post is a particularly popular corner spot that serves delicious Cuban food.

EXPLORE FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN REAL ESTATE WITH BELLMARC REALTY

Fort Greene is a neighborhood with character, made strong by new and old community bonds. Learn more about the housing market in this historic neighborhood with Bellmarc Realty. We are local experts specializing in a wide range of real estate transactions throughout Brooklyn and the greater New York City area. See our featured listings here, and call us at 718.768.4500 or message us here to get started.