Bensonhurst

Bensonhurst

Known historically as an Italian neighborhood, in recent decades
Bensonhurst has experienced waves of immigrants from China and Russia.
Despite this, the neighborhood's reputation for Italian culture
persists, as the bustling Little Italy section of 18th Avenue hosts
many popular Italian eateries and draws large crowds for its various
festivals. In addition to Bensonhurst's residential and commercial
districts, the neighborhood offers some attractive outdoor spaces.
Bordering the Lower New York Bay, is Bensonhurst Park, offering a
promenade walkway and excellent water views. Drier Offerman Park, also
along the bay and just outside the southern border of the neighborhood,
plays host to the annual Great Irish Fair.

With easy access to the Belt Parkway, which also runs along the bay,
car owners in Bensonhurst have it easy. Many subway lines also service
the neighborhood, connecting it to Prospect Park, the Atlantic Ocean
beaches, and many of Brooklyn's other highlights. This excellent
accessibility explains the draw for new immigrants, since Bensonhurst
is a quick ride on the D, F, M, and N trains from Sunset Park's
Chinatown, Borough Park's Orthodox Jewish community, and Brighton
Beach's Little Russia. Bensonhurst is especially ideal for residents
who are Brooklyn-based, especially those who commute to jobs within the
borough.

Though re-zoning efforts in the past couple of years have limited
building heights in some parts of Bensonhurst, there were few prior
restrictions and initial residential development proceeded in many
directions, creating a large variety in house and building sizes. The
general diversity of housing stock in Bensonhurst is evidenced in
available sales listings that mostly include luxury condos,
single/multi-family brick homes, and coops.