Gowanus has a character all its own! Historically regarded as an industrial center, Gowanus is putting a new twist on its manufacturing past and attracting small businesses, tech startups, and artists to its’ many repurposed and repositioned warehouses and factories. As such, Gowanus continues to grow and evolve as a creative and innovation hotbed in southwest Brooklyn, just minutes from Manhattan. Where, at one time, stretches of the Gowanus Canal were home to mills, plants, tanneries, coal houses and oil refineries, today those areas showcase a new era of dynamic industry. Here, you will find furniture makers, woodworkers and refinishers, potters, metalworkers, artist studio lofts and galleries, and other small-scale producers - as well as some high-tech office space! The Gowanus Canal, itself, is undergoing change, and has been targeted for cleanup and redevelopment with the channel re-envisioned as recreational parks and green space. And do not be fooled, despite the industrial surroundings, Gowanus has a homey feel. Residents enjoy a fair mix of leafy, tree-lined blocks with small residential apartment buildings and quintessential Brooklyn brownstones. Moreover, the area offers an eclectic mix of local and artisanal shops, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, bars and nightlife options! Gowanus has a unique, distinct and hip vibe that is hands-on, environmentally conscious and open for business!
