New York City is dense with history. Nearly every corner of this metropolis is bursting with unique stories. But one small pocket in particular — Weeksville, Brooklyn — played a significant role in our country’s past as one of the first Black communities in the 1800s. These days, visitors and residents can still learn about this section of Crown Heights’ historical significance — not to mention its terrific housing options and authentic neighborhood feel. “The community is robust in terms of its cohesiveness — people say hello to you when you walk down the street,” says Compass broker, Anderson Toney. Ready to explore this down-to-earth pocket of NYC? Here’s what you need to know about renting, buying, and beyond in Weeksville, Brooklyn.
Table of Contents
Crown Heights Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below
Crown Heights
641 Saint Mark’s Avenue
$2,768No Fee
1 |
4
Crown Heights
2280 Atlantic Avenue
$2,495No Fee
1 |
1
Weeksville
1322 Prospect Place
$2,750No Fee
3 |
1
Crown Heights
465 Eastern Parkway
$2,000No Fee
1 |
1
Crown Heights
1892 Bergen Street
$2,995No Fee
2 |
1
Crown Heights
647 Franklin Avenue
$1,975No Fee
1 |
1
Crown Heights
1511 Bedford Avenue
$2,838No Fee
1 |
1
Crown Heights
1407 Dean Street
$2,850No Fee
1 |
1
Crown Heights
1323 Bedford Avenue
$2,966No Fee
3 |
1
Crown Heights
891 Bergen Street
$3,000No Fee
2 |
1
Crown Heights
1077 Dean Street
$2,017No Fee
Studio |
1
Weeksville
1081 Eastern Parkway
$2,150No Fee
2 |
1
History of Weeksville, Brooklyn
Weeksville, Brooklyn, plays an influential and vital role in history as one of the first free Black communities in the United States. In the 1830s — just about a decade after New York state abolished slavery —James Weeks, a freedman, purchased a large chunk of land and created a thriving neighborhood and community. Named after its founder, Weeksville welcomed Black people to join this prosperous haven of over 500 residents, including doctors, teachers, business people, and intellectuals. The area continued to be a bastion for abolitionist and equal rights activism throughout much of the 19th century.
Although the community’s identity started to wane with the introduction of the street grid system and urban sprawl, the neighborhood’s important history was preserved in the late 1960s with the opening of the Weeksville Heritage Center (Stay tuned — more on that later).
Crown Heights Homes Under $750K on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Weeksville
1738 Union Street
$475,000
2 |
1
Crown Heights
863 Saint Marks Avenue
$565,000
1 |
1
Crown Heights
1607 Pacific Street
$649,000
1 |
1
Crown Heights
1607 Pacific Street
$529,000
1 |
1
Crown Heights
668 Nostrand Avenue
$725,000
1 |
1
Crown Heights
345 Montgomery Street
$475,000
1 |
1
Crown Heights
260 Rockaway Avenue
$648,970
1 |
1.5
Crown Heights
260 Rockaway Avenue
$521,752
1 |
1
Crown Heights
260 Rockaway Avenue
$551,384
1 |
1
Crown Heights
260 Rockaway Avenue
$652,090
1 |
1
Weeksville
1274 Saint Marks Avenue
$699,000
3 |
1
Crown Heights
35 Crown Street
$450,000
1 |
1
Where Is Weeksville, Brooklyn?
Considered to be a slice of the larger Crown Heights neighborhood, Weeksville, Brooklyn, enjoys a central location with easy subway access. “It’s close to everything,” Toney explains, pointing out that Bedford-Stuyvesant, Ocean Hill, Eastern Parkway, and Downtown Brooklyn and its attractions — like the Brooklyn Museum — are all just a short distance away. Moreover, with the C train at Ralph Avenue, and the A express train a convenient 10 blocks away from Utica, commuting to Midtown should take about 45 minutes.
Renting a Home in Weeksville
Those looking to move to Weeksville, Brooklyn will find various housing options, from multi-family brownstones to sleek apartments. Toney points out a lot of new renovation is happening, which she anticipates will translate into a burgeoning local scene.
Bed-Stuy Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Stuyvesant Heights
701 Quincy Street
$2,870No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
205 Halsey Street
$3,000No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
93 Halsey Street
$2,900No Fee
1 |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
825 Monroe Street
$2,900No Fee
2 |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
258 Marcus Garvey Boulevard
$2,300No Fee
1 |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
303 Malcolm X Boulevard
$3,000No Fee
2 |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
825 Monroe Street
$2,900No Fee
2 |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
1021 Putnam Avenue
$2,567No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
952 Bedford Avenue
$2,584No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
952 Bedford Avenue
$2,861No Fee
1 |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
59 Malcolm X Boulevard
$2,995No Fee
2 |
2
Stuyvesant Heights
1027 Putnam Avenue
$2,567No Fee
2 |
1
Buying a Home in Weeksville
If you’re interested in putting down more permanent roots in Weeksville, Brooklyn, know that you’ll be investing in a neighborhood that continues to grow in popularity. According to The StreetEasy Data Dashboard, the median asking price for Crown Heights was $1.1 million as of November 2021. But don’t let that deter your search; you can undoubtedly find options well under that price range in Weeksville.
Downtown Brooklyn Homes Under $750KArticle continues below
Downtown Brooklyn
175 Willoughby Street
$550,000
Studio |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
175 Willoughby Street
$635,000
1 |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
191 Willoughby Street
$725,000
1 |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
230 Jay Street
$595,000
1 |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
122 Ashland Place
$410,000
Studio |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
306 Gold Street
$725,000
Studio |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
175 Willoughby Street
$499,000
Studio |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
11 Hoyt Street
$749,000
Studio |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
53 Boerum Place
$675,000
1 |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
270 Jay Street
$398,000
Studio |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
85 Livingston Street
$370,000
Studio |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
175 Adams Street
$700,000
1 |
1
Things To Do in Weeksville
Of course, exploring the area’s fascinating history is a huge draw. In 1968, a group from Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute found four wooden row houses built from 1840-1880, the last remaining vestiges from old Weeksville, Brooklyn. These row homes are now called the Hunterfly Road Houses and are part of the Weeksville Heritage Center, a worthwhile trip for local history buffs and hands-on learners. Visitors can enjoy tours, workshops, live performances, and exhibitions featuring Black artists, all at this thriving community and historic center. Please note, due to COVID-19, in-person tours of the historic houses have been suspended. However, in the meantime, 3D tours of the house can be found online.
A few blocks away, the 17-acre Lincoln Terrace Park is a tree-lined oasis in Weeksville, Brooklyn, packed with tennis courts, a handball court, baseball fields, basketball courts, and a substantial running loop.
Utica Avenue is the area’s main strip to grab a bite or do your shopping. For stellar West Indian food, check out Tropical House Baking, which has gained local fame for its meat patties. Fans of Mediterranean eating shouldn’t miss Mama Kitchen, which serves up mouthwatering cuisine like pita sandwiches and hummus. And thanks to Weeksville’s convenient location, residents can also easily hop over to other parts of Crown Heights or Downtown Brooklyn to check out an array of international cuisine and entertainment. Enjoy!