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Get to know Flatbush

The neighborhood of Flatbush corresponds approximately to the former town of the same name, one of the original six towns of Brooklyn. But Flatbush’s boundaries today are a bit confusing to nail down: Some interpretations see them moving beyond a simple neighborhood into an entire sub-region of Brooklyn, subsuming otherwise distinct communities like Ditmas Park and Prospect Lefferts Gardens. Most buildings in Flatbush are from the early 20th century or later, but the neighborhood is not without its history. The Reformed Dutch Church was built in the 1790s, and Erasmus Hall is the oldest high school building in the entire city. Plus, many significant figures across generations have come from the area: musicians, politicians, actors, writers, and more. Of course, the Brooklyn Dodgers played at Ebbets Field on Sullivan Place in Flatbush, too — though true to the neighborhood’s ever-fluid borders, that location would now be considered Crown Heights.

Nearby Neighborhoods:

Flatbush Commerce & Culture

Flatbush and Church avenues comprise the two main commercial strips, offering plentiful shopping and dining options. Flatbush’s cuisine scene, in particular, is a world tour of tastes, a diversity true to the neighborhood itself. Cortelyou Road in Ditmas Park is also right next door, with a mix of bars and coffee shops. Though it is a bit sprawling in the heart of central Brooklyn, Flatbush is still close to the haven of the borough that is Prospect Park. The Parade Ground, located in the park’s southwest corner, was initially a site for training militia but now functions as an athletic complex with over a dozen fields and courts. After shuttering in 1977 and subsequently falling into disrepair, the Kings Theatre was restored to its former glory and reopened in 2015. Positively grandiose, it has become one of the city’s premier live music venues.

Featured Flatbush listings

  • Coming soon | Apr 03 | Featured
    Flatbush

    4 East 28th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11226

    • Single Family Townhouse
    • 4 BD
    • 3.5 BA
    • 1600 Sq. Ft.
    • Virtual Tour
    Building presented by Corcoran
    Courtesy of Corcoran
    $995,000