Greenpoint short history

At the crossroads of an industrial past, an immigrant spirit, and modern gentrification

Beyond the pigeons and their secret meetings on every lamppost, Greenpoint has a rich story worth telling—one that goes way back from grassy riverbanks to shipyards, Polish bakeries, and modern-day hipster cafés. So, let’s dive into what makes this Brooklyn neighborhood so uniquely charming (pigeons included).

Why is it called Greenpoint?

The name Greenpoint comes from a “green point of land” — basically, a grassy spit sticking out into the East River. Back in the 1700s, while the nearby shores were mostly swampy or wooded, this little patch of green stood out and became a natural landmark for early European settlers. So the name dates way before the industrial boom in the 1800s, and it’s stuck around ever since.

Greenpoint and the Rise of Industry in the 19th Century

Greenpoint grew into an industrial hub in the 19th century, thanks to shipyards and factories building and repairing ships—including some for the U.S. Navy. The nearby Navy Yard helped bring jobs and people, turning Greenpoint from a quiet green point into a busy working neighborhood. So yeah, the Navy Yard is part of the story, but it wasn’t the only thing shaping the area.

The Rise of Little Poland

In the 1970s, a new chapter began for Greenpoint as waves of Polish immigrants settled in the neighborhood. Fleeing economic hardship and political repression under communist rule, many Poles came to the U.S. in search of freedom and opportunity. Greenpoint, with its affordable housing and available blue-collar jobs, became a natural landing spot. As the Polish community grew, so did its influence—transforming the neighborhood into what’s now known as “Little Poland,” filled with Polish bakeries, churches, grocery stores, and a strong sense of community. While it’s not the only Polish neighborhood in New York, Greenpoint remains the heart of Polish culture in Brooklyn.

Pigeon-trification in Action

Today, Greenpoint is a neighborhood of contrasts. While sleek condo buildings rise and trendy cafés multiply, the area hasn’t entirely lost its soul. You’ll still hear Polish spoken in bakeries and see longtime residents chatting on stoops, right next to new arrivals ordering matcha lattes.

A big turning point came in 2005, when parts of Greenpoint (and neighboring Williamsburg) were rezoned—meaning the city changed the rules about how land could be used, allowing former industrial areas to be turned into residential or mixed-use developments. That sparked a wave of construction, real estate interest, and an influx of new residents looking for “the next cool neighborhood.”

Still, many old industrial buildings—especially by the waterfront—remain. Some are abandoned, others repurposed into art studios, coworking spaces, or stylish lofts. So while gentrification has definitely reshaped Greenpoint, its evolution feels a little more layered than Williamsburg’s. It's a place where pierogi and pour-overs coexist, and where traces of factories, Polish delis, and slow-walking pigeons still ground the neighborhood in its rich, quirky history.