Historically, downtown Brooklyn had been a commercial and civic center. However, in the past decade the area has become more residential, attracting people with its rich cultural institutions, parks and lively atmosphere.
Fort Greene Park, once the site of the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War, is now at the center of one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Fort Greene/Downtown Brooklyn offers quick access to Manhattan, plenty of local restaurants and stores and is also home to seven colleges & universities, which are attended by over 30,000 students. Downtown Brooklyn has become a world renown destination for shopping, entertainment and cultural events, while the streets around Fort Greene continue to retain their charming old world feel.