Brooklyn Heights

Incorporated in 1903, the village of Brooklyn Heights is bound by water, 20th-century homes and a strong industrial presence. Although the name may remind you of a distinct borough in the Big Apple, the quaint Cleveland village has its own unique character that blends gurgling streams, agriculture, industry, and established homes. Inside the longstanding suburb are houses that date back to the early 1900s.

The small town includes pockets of houses situated along Interstate 480. You'll find that some of the area's most established homes sit near the center of the community. These homes are typically larger and showcase Tudor and Colonial Revival elements. This section also contains a number of cozy bungalows. To the southwest are midcentury homes on elevated brick foundations, many of which are Cape Cod styles. You will notice several split levels in both sections of the village. According to Realtor Maria Eder with Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan, houses in Brooklyn Heights can enter the market between $175,000 to $400,000.

Residents are served by the Cuyahoga Heights School District, which earned an overall A on Niche. The district boasts over 30 extracurricular activities among the three public institutions. The schools are located in the expansive brick building along 71st Street, less than 5 miles away from the neighborhood. Little ones may attend Cuyahoga Heights Elementary, promising gifted programming. And older students can benefit from a number of AP and Honors courses at Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High schools.

If you're looking for scenic views of the nearby West Creek, head over to Brooklyn Heights Village Park. Also known locally as Tuxedo Park, the gathering spot has several playgrounds, athletic fields and trails following the creek. The town hosts an Art in the Park program during the summer underneath the pavilions. You may even catch community baseball games during the warmer months. Beyond the parking lot, you'll find a few waterfalls among the ravines filled with flat rocks. Along the eastern edge of Brooklyn Heights is a portion of the extensive Ohio to Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The limestone pathway follows a historic route once used as canals and railways for travelers and transporting goods. Today, the trail will lead hikers, bicyclists and equestrians through farms and wetlands. The path is a part of the greater Cleveland Metroparks system.

Past Interstate 480 are a number of shopping plazas filled with retailers and restaurants. The shopping centers along Snow Road contain three supermarkets less than 5 miles south of the neighborhood. Inside the community, you'll find a laidback establishment, Café 17. The diner has a classic red counter and casual seating that serves breakfast items, sandwich wraps, and burgers with tater tots. Corleone's Ristorante & Bar is not far away, a popular strip mall location with low lighting, a romantic atmosphere, and Italian-American fare.

The neighborhood has a history in agriculture and was once called the "Greenhouse Capital of America", boasting the first commercial greenhouse in the country. Gentle reminders of Brooklyn Heights' agricultural past surround the community. Local gardeners enjoy the nearby farms, nurseries and greenhouses. One local farm has been a part of the community for over 80 years, and though the name has changed throughout the decades, it has remained a family-own farm for three generations. Vintage Alpacas has the wooly camelids but also hosts activities throughout the year, such as yoga events and craft shows.

The Cuyahoga River carves out the eastern side, and the bubbling West Creek weaves along the southwestern corner. Brooklyn Heights has access to major highways that lead to quick trips to downtown and speedy routes to the rest of Cleveland.

Photography Contributed By

Nile Vincz

Video By

Antoine Allen