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.
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Crown Heights Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below
Crown Heights
2270 Atlantic Avenue
$2,100No Fee
2 |
1
Crown Heights
319 Thomas Boyland Street
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
Crown Heights
1078 Dean Street
$2,500No Fee
2 |
1
Crown Heights
1014 Park Place
$2,595No Fee
1 |
1
Crown Heights
1131 Dean Street
$2,995No Fee
1 |
1
Weeksville
240 Schenectady Avenue
$2,995No Fee
3 |
1
Crown Heights
1101 President Street
$2,895No Fee
Studio |
1
Crown Heights
885 Saint John’s Place
$2,899No Fee
1 |
1.5
Weeksville
1315 Eastern Parkway
$1,850No Fee
1 |
1
Crown Heights
783 Sterling Place
$2,795No Fee
1 |
1
Weeksville
1429 Lincoln Place
$2,100No Fee
2 |
1
Crown Heights
1048 President Street
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
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
Crown Heights
260 Rockaway Avenue
$648,970
1 |
1
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
Crown Heights
1062 Bergen Street
$515,000
2 |
1
Weeksville
1274 Saint Marks Avenue
$699,000
3 |
1
Crown Heights
35 Crown Street
$450,000
1 |
1
Weeksville
1226 Saint Mark’s Avenue
$430,000
1 |
1
Weeksville
1919 Pacific Street
$499,000
3 |
2
Crown Heights
698 Classon Avenue
$395,000
2 |
1
Crown Heights
1607 Pacific Street
$599,000
1 |
1
Crown Heights
566 Prospect Place
$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
848 Madison Street
$2,850No Fee
3 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
247 Madison Street
$1,895No Fee
Studio |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
47 Herkimer Street
$2,050No Fee
Studio |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
613 Marcy Avenue
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Ocean Hill
17 Somers Street
$2,350No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
1511 Fulton Street
$3,000No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
236 Jefferson Avenue
$1,710No Fee
Studio |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
962 Greene Avenue
$2,375No Fee
Studio |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
218A Spencer Street
$2,100No Fee
1 |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
918 Greene Avenue
$2,599No Fee
Studio |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
818 Lexington Avenue
$2,900No Fee
1 |
1
Ocean Hill
524 Chauncey Street
$2,900No Fee
3 |
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
306 Gold Street
$725,000
Studio |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
85 Livingston Street
$600,000
1 |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
85 Livingston Street
$520,000
1 |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
175 Willoughby Street
$499,000
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
$400,000
Studio |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
306 Gold Street
$740,000
1 |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
85 Livingston Street
$420,000
Studio |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
10 Nevins Street
$675,000
Studio |
1
Downtown Brooklyn
235 Adams Street
$600,000
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!