The Brooklyn Waterfront

I decided to take a long walk on the Brooklyn waterfront, starting in Williamsburg and heading towards Dumbo and the Brooklyn Bridge area.  It's a truly fascinating walk, passing through all different kinds of views, ranging from desolate industrial wastelands to new and bland high rise condos.  The whole area is a work in progress, as all of it gradually transitions from industrial waterfront to residential.   Williamsburg itself is rapidly changing. You notice this as you walk by new imitation loft style condos juxtaposed with old industrial buildings repurposed as stores, restaurants, and clubs.   On of the first things I saw, though, was this magnificent Russian Orthodox Church, painted in Winter Palace yellow.

Then, this building, with its adventures in wiring, a renovation in progress?

Somehow this building looks like something from the former Soviet Union:

A lot of the northern Williamsburg waterfront has huge high-rise waterfront condos, with some parks, new grocery stores, and Montessori schools, etc.   In fact, it very much looks like

Vancouver.....

And the big high-rises often abut empty spaces:

But you can lie in the sand on the beach if you want:

And there are still the occasional older buildings, in various states of decay and abandonment:

Further south, you come upon the remains of the Domino Sugar factory complex, which will eventually be turned into more high-rise condos.  But, in the meantime, the wonderful principal building remains, along with an impromptu park which will eventually disappear.

Bits of the old structures still remain, and you can see the Williamsburg bridge:

Next, you go under the Williamsburg bridge.

And a nice view from the waterfront park a bit further on:

Further south, you approach the former Brooklyn Navy Yard, which is now gradually being transformed by the city into industrial and office areas.   Most of it is still wasteland, though.

There are more buildings and construction sites along the way:

And colorful bits of detritus:

And this odd vision in black and white:

Opposite the former navy yard are the beginnings of the Orthodox Jewish community of South Williamsburg, which I will visit on another trip.   Passing through the edge of the former navy yards (which is mostly off limits to the public) you can see the decaying ruins of what was once called "Admiral's Row".   It's amazing to see these ruins in the middle of New York City, all overgrown with trees and plants.