Greenpoint Apartments

Greenpoint is the northernmost neighborhood in Brooklyn, bordering Long Island City in Queens. Home to professional commuters as well as Polish and Irish immigrants who have been in the area for generations, this area is sometimes affectionately referred to as Little Poland.

The term Greenpoint actually referred to a bluff on Freeman Street that jutted out into the East River. Eventually, the entire neighborhood acquired the name. Around the time of the Revolutionary War, Greenpoint's population consisted of just five families. Then, in 1850, ferry service to Manhattan was established, turning the neighborhood into a prominent shipbuilding industry. In fact, Greenpoint served as the construction site of the U.S.S. Monitor, the Union Navy's first iron-hulled warship in the Civil War. The thriving industry brought many Irish and, later, Polish immigrants to the area.

Today, Greenpoint is characterized by row houses and warehouse conversions. Residents include a blend of longtime families and younger couples who find the charming area an ideal place for settling down. Rezoning in 2005 has brought a lot of new residents to the area. The neighborhood even serves as the setting and film location for Lena Dunham's hit show "Girls."

One of Greenpoint's noteworthy architectural structures is its oldest church, The Episcopal Church of the Ascension. The neighborhood also boasts the oldest continuously operating public school in New York City, the Oliver Hazard Perry School. Greenpoint's largest park is McCarren Park, formerly Greenpoint Park.

Greenpoint has a growing creative scene as younger artists move out of the city. Its laid-back bars and restaurants offer a rich nightlife that is perfect for residents who like the artsy Williamsburg vibe without the crowds. With a mix of neighborhood staples and new shops and restaurants, this neighborhood offers a diverse selection of things to do, all minutes from the East River.