boerum hill
With roots stretching back to Colonial times, 292 State Street occupies land once held by Dutch settlers on “Longe Eylandt.” Breuckelen was one of five Dutch towns (Breuckelen, Flatbush, New Utrecht, Bushwick and Flatlands) incorporated in 1646 and at once became a hub of activity. Dutch families, familiar with the low marshlands reminiscent of their homes in Holland, transformed the landscape into sprawling farms or “bouweries,” creating fortunes selling produce to merchants and businessmen across the river in New Amsterdam. The names of these families – Boerum, Schermerhorn, Bergen, Wyckoff, Lefferts, van Noorstrand (Nostrand) – still ring about the borough today.
The van Brunt family (a street and post office bear their name) owned the farmland 292 sits on, and it was passed down to Jane van Brunt and her husband Samuel Gerritsen (Gerritsen Beach). Originally named Gerritsen Street in Samuel’s honor, the name later changed to State Street when developers Charles Hoyt and Russell Nevins bought the land in 1833, creating subdivisions for builders to service the housing needs of merchants moving into the burgeoning “Boerum Hill” area of Brooklyn. Hoyt and Nevins knew what they were doing: with its proximity to established money in Brooklyn Heights, the politicians of City Hall and the docks and stores of Fulton Ferry, the Boerum Hill community was incorporated into the City of Brooklyn in 1834 and started a flurry of urban development that continues today.
292 State Street has the distinction of being registered in both the Boerum Hill Historic District and the National Registry. Built in 1871, 292 was designed in a simple yet dignified Italianate style for the day suited to the merchant class. The hallmarks of the Italianate style were incorporated into 292 and still remain – a commanding roof cornice featuring decorative corbels, tall windows laid symmetrically across the façade, an arched entry double-door under a bracketed cornice, and rusticated brownstone on the basement level are featured. Inside, soaring ceilings, ornate mantels and large turned moldings are scattered throughout.
Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Issue Project Room, The Invisible Dog Art Center, and the Micro Museum are just a few of the area’s most popular destinations for art. When it comes to dining, Boerum Hill cannot be beat. Intimate eateries such as Battersby, Rucola, and French Louie boast consistently high Zagat ratings, while cafes and delis such as Blue Bottle Coffee and Mile End Delicatessen offer a casual option for neighborhood regulars. Grdn, a local gardening and home goods store, and Barneys New York, also offer retail therapy for a variety of tastes. Luxury hotels have also added some sparkle to the neighborhood, most recently The Boerum, located on State Street, and NU Hotel on Smith Street.
Less than two miles from Prospect Park and one mile from Fort Greene Park, Boerum Hill is also beloved by bike enthusiasts. Brooklyn War Memorial, Fulton Street Mall, and Barclays Center are just a few of the landmarks that characterize Boerum Hill. And for those inkling for a spontaneous getaway, Boerum Hill is conveniently located 11 miles from both John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia International Airport (LGA).