Places You Wouldn’t Think to Visit in Brooklyn but Totally Should
- Herman Yung
Red Hook Grain Terminal
“Safe” may not be the most fitting word to describe the abandoned 12-story grain factory overlooking the East River, and actually getting inside, as some can attest, may present a few obstacles. But if you’re one whose idea of vacation involves things like “adventure,” exploring the ins and outs of this hulking mass of concrete—dubbed the “Magnificent Mistake” upon its completion in 1922, as its sheer size was pretty much pointless—isn’t a bad way to spend an afternoon. (Actually, a safer, equally edgy option might be checking out one of the several open platforms outside the building and fancying yourself a concrete picnic with views of the Manhattan skyline.) Virtually incapable of being renovated into an apartment building or another factory, it stands as one of the last true remnants of Brooklyn’s industrial era. Read up on some more of its history and helpful exploration hints here. And, hey, if all else fails, there’s an IKEA nearby, complete with Swedish meatballs.