Brooklyn might be best known for its bearded or bespectacled gentry, who pair canvas tote bags with tattoos, but in the leafy neighbourhood of Boerum Hill, things are a little different. Situated in the western part of the borough, Boerum Hill is a picturesque residential area that's dominated by historic brownstones. Named after early Dutch settlers, the neighbourhood centres itself along a stretch of Atlantic Avenue, a rowdy two-way road that is also the lifeblood that connects waterfront Brooklyn all the way eastwards to Queens.
Despite the hustle and bustle, Boerum Hill's chunk of Atlantic Avenue has been peppered with antique shops and artist-run galleries for decades. In recent years, the inviting glass storefronts have welcomed fashion boutiques, perfumeries, home goods stores, gourmet coffee roasters and chocolate shops. Smith Street, the area's eastern boundary, is filled with restaurants that combine quality cuisine with a relaxed, neighbourhood feel.
Boerum Hill displays all the charm of its neighbours, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill, but with considerably less baby carriages. It's an enclave for APC-wearing screenwriters and low-key celebrities, though the spacious, peaceful homes have attracted a growing number of Financial District types too. Ultimately, if it's sincere, understated luxury that you're after, Boerum Hill is the place. Here, we've highlighted some of its most notable landmarks that shouldn't be missed.
The Boerum House & Home
As the newest addition to the area, The Boerum House & Home is a design treasure trove that boasts over 130 designers and makers in its offering. The light-filled shop owes its design to architects/developers, Flank, and is operated by Partners and Spade.
312 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn; T: 1.347 987 4267; www.theboerum.com
The Boerum House & Home
Get lost in its collection of meaningful collectibles such as Pilar Wiley ceramics and a foosball table by Fredricks & Mae, or beautifully packaged everyday objects like Tangent Garment Care shoe polish and Williams & Co self-inking stamps.
312 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn; T: 1.347 987 4267; www.theboerum.com
French Louie
A few doors down from The Boerum is French Louie, a cosy French-American restaurant that opened its doors in February. Its owners, Doug Crowell and chef Ryan Angulo, who are also behind another Brooklyn favourite, Buttermilk Channel, have combined classical French cooking with American influences and ingredients.
320 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, T: 1.718 935 1200, www.frenchlouienyc.com
French Louie
Classic dishes like its Snails 'Marchand de Vin' come served with house-cured bacon, oyster and grits, in a nod to the Creole cuisine of New Orleans. French Louie recently began serving brunch, making it a perfect pit-stop both before and after taking in all that the neighbourhood has to offer.
320 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn; T: 1.718 935 1200; www.frenchlouienyc.com
Atelier Cologne
Atelier Cologne is a charismatic perfume label built around celebrating the cologne. Each of its creations blends the classic citrus components in a cologne with more precious ingredients, like Tunisian neroli and blond woods. Atelier Cologne opened its first store in Manhattan’s Nolita in 2011, its second in Paris in 2012 and its third in December 2013 in Boerum Hill. Its signature Venetian blue storefront and raw brick walls make each outpost easy to spot.
357 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn; T: 1.718 260 8008; www.ateliercologne.com
Steven Alan
Steven Alan is a brand synonymous with good taste. Aside from peddling its own label of well-made clothing for him and her, its boutiques all over the US are filled with other like-minded labels that take an easygoing, long-term view when it comes to style.
347-349 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn; T: 1.347 382 9125; www.stevenalan.com
Steven Alan
Steven Alan opened its Boerum Hill store in 2010, making it a relatively early adopter of the neighbourhood. Its women's store occupies an airy, light-filled corner, while its quirky mens store is located in the creaky-floored sub-level space next door.
347-349 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn; T: 1.347 382 9125; www.stevenalan.com
Blue Bottle Coffee
It wouldn't be Brooklyn if there wasn't a hip coffee joint lurking around the corner. Blue Bottle Coffee opened its Boerum Hill location in February, the smallest of all its East Coast outlets. The design and layout of the bijoux shop is heavily influenced by Tokyo's numerous kissaten, little hideaways that serve food and drink. Here, baristas artfully dole out a selection of drip coffee, iced coffee and homemade pastries, making it a succinct but worthy stop along the trail.
85 Dean St, Brooklyn; T: 1.510 653 3394; www.bluebottlecoffee.com
The Primary Essentials
A special mix of everyday objects is the order of day at The Primary Essentials, the home goods store run by fashion stylist-turned-shop owner, Lauren Snyder.
372 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, T: 718 522 1804, www.theprimaryessentials.com
The Primary Essentials
Uncluttered and pure, the boutique is simply decorated with a palissandro blue marble counter and a monolithic wooden cupboard for storage, thus allowing visitors to pore over its covetable offerings more easily. Expect to find a careful selection of international and American-made goods, such as Sori Yonagi cast ironware, Fort Standard marble trivets, Caroline Z Hurley textiles and Earth Tu Face skincare, all on display.
372 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, T: 718 522 1804, www.theprimaryessentials.com
Rag & Bone
Rag & Bone's arrival in Boerum Hill this past April was a sure signifier of the hood's upward mobility if we ever saw one.
160 Court Street, Brooklyn; T: 1.718 522 6758; www.rag-bone.com
Rag & Bone
What was once the Downtown Bar and Grill now stands transformed as a glossy boutique that muddles exposed brickwork, white mosaic floors and industrial accents to showcase the label's cool, androgynous clothing. Still, Rag & Bone chose to retain one wall embellished with beer stickers as a tribute to its predecessor.
160 Court Street, Brooklyn; T: 1.718 522 6758; www.rag-bone.com
Twisted Lily
Should you fail to find the right perfume at Atelier Cologne, fear not, as the well-stocked shelves at the fragrance boutique, Twisted Lily, might hold the answer. The scent and beauty apothecary, which was originally an online shop before it opened its real-life boutique in Boerum Hill last year, specialises in niche and hard-to-find names.
360 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn: T: 1.347 529 4681: www.twistedlily.com
Twisted Lily
Some of its gems include Joya, Arquiste, Tauer and CB I Hate Perfume. The store itself is a lovely fusion of old and new; tin ceilings, exposed brick and original flooring fill the modern space with character.
360 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn: T: 1.347 529 4681: www.twistedlily.com
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