The Streets of Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO is the second photography documentary project in our new series, “Life After The Pandemic.” Our goal is to explore various areas of New York: capturing the culture around it, as well as examine the effects of the pandemic.

Brooklyn Heights is an upscale residential neighborhood located within New York City’s Brooklyn borough. Originally called Brooklyn Village, the neighborhood has a long and rich history that dates back to the Colonial Era. It is considered New York’s first suburb. Brooklyn Heights was also the site of a major Civil War battle; and, prior to the Civil War, it was a base for the slavery abolition movement.

When walking down the modern streets of Brooklyn Heights, you’ll see a whole different story. Today, the neighborhood is known for its brownstone-lined streets, innovative restaurants, curated shops, and notable religious institutions. Its vibrancy may even inspire you to explore various cultural institutions located within its borders such as the Brooklyn Historical Society and Heights Players, a playhouse poised to open its doors again in the post-pandemic world.

As you venture around Brooklyn Heights you might find yourself strolling down the Promenade. Offering spectacular views of Downtown Manhattan across the East River, the Promenade is beloved by locals and tourists alike. It’s the perfect place to sit down, chat, and delight in the beautiful quiet atmosphere of Brooklyn Heights.

Adjacent to Brooklyn Heights is DUMBO, a once-industrial neighborhood that has transformed into a hotspot for start-up businesses, restaurants, and boutiques. DUMBO, which stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” is small but vibrant, nonetheless. It is filled with beautiful historical architecture, cultural hotspots, and scenic river views.

On the border of both neighborhoods is the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge Park. This park offers visitors and locals breathtaking views of lower Manhattan’s scenic skyline and New York Harbor. It is here where you will find couples picnicking, parents with their young kids, young teenagers playing basketball, and elderly people enjoying a cup of tea as the breeze comes in off the East River.

We had the chance to meet some of the people around these neighborhoods and asked them their feelings on the post-pandemic world. This is what we found during our trip to Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO.