Both Brooklyn Heights and Early New York architecture and streetscape were very different to each other for several reasons. As we visited the areas and studied the buildings, we learned about the different implementation of materials, their uses and functionality as well as how the buildings came about according to its landscape and terrain.

Starting with Brooklyn Heights, most of the buildings functioned as residential inhabitants. Many of the buildings we see today were built in order to make profit. People would claim these lands and properties to build houses to auction off. As more development was occurring in early New York, people were being driven to Brooklyn Heights because of the greater opportunities they foresaw, specifically profitable opportunities. In its early development, wood was the main material that was being used. However, wood was not great against fires. Many fires commenced and wood would only make the matter worse by letting it disperse and spread to any other wooden structures. A little bit after, materials like stone and masonry such as bricks started to be implemented for the facades of the buildings. Buildings were dominantly Federal Style architecture but also mixed with Greek Revival which was shown through the doors. The doors on all buildings were designed and detailed more than the buildings itself. They consisted of ionic columns, entablatures, cornices, the lintels of the doors and windows were detailed, as well as windows themselves. Another appeal Brooklyn Heights has is the Brooklyn Promenade Park which had a view to the waterfront and early New York. Before being a public area, it was cliff. Brooklyn, in its early development, was all hills and cliffs thus the name Brooklyn ā€œHeights.ā€ Using the cliff, the BQE came about which is right under the promenade. The BQE was a huge antidote to heavy traffic and it still is today.

Early New York was more commercial and industrial mainly because of the transportation of goods being offered by the waterfront. Although, Brooklyn Heights had profitable opportunities, Early New York did as well, because of the waterfront. Not only did New York have this advantage but also, its terrain was flat. Brooklyn was all hills whereas, early New York being flat, it helped in developing buildings. The streets were also much wider to accommodate for vehicles to circulate and transport goods. For its materials, stone, brick, and granite was used where we visited. The same type of architectural style was displayed for the most part, just like Brooklyn Heights, Federal and Greek Revival. The only difference between these cities was its uses.