Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Peek into Downtown Brooklyn's Future - With Gandalf!
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 1, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 1, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The NY Post has video and renderings of what downtown Brooklyn will look like in 2012. With $9.5 billion in development projects in the works, the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is proudly touting its future. The DBP's president Joe Chan told the Post, "This sends a message to the entire city - and even the world - that Brooklyn is in a period of unprecedented growth."
The video, which will be released later today but the Post has an early look, is gives a computer-animated bird's eye view, with new skyscrapers popping up. And the narrator is Ian McKellen, who apparently "did the voice-over for free" while playing King Lear in in the Brooklyn Academy of Music's production of King Lear. And if we could give him an Oscar for best narration of a development video, we would - we love how he pronounces "boulevard" (boo-le-vard).
All told, the projects, which include the BAM Cultural District, numerous commercial- and residential-use private developments, and public improvements, will bring 14,300 residential units, 3.2 million square of office space, and 1,800 hotel rooms - plus new areas like "Willoughby Square Park." The DBP hopes 35,000 new residents will flock to Brooklyn as well.
Tagged
bam
BAM Cultural District
brooklyn
Brooklyn Academy
District
downtown
downtown Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership
events
ian mckellen
king lear
love
Music
ny post
real estate
The NY
The NY Post
video
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 5:43 p.m. ET
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
The Port Authority is replacing its ramshackle Midtown Bus Terminal. Riders will face years of headaches as the work is finished.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
News
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
The Port Authority is replacing its ramshackle Midtown Bus Terminal. Riders will face years of headaches as the work is finished.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
NYC officials call for Target boycott, say ICE staged at Marble Hill lot before shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .