NEW SPIN IN BROOKLYN
If you haven't been to Brooklyn recently, you don't know Brooklyn. The borough with some of the liveliest residents and most famous reputation, has been undergoing a transformation in every way. New parks, new housing, and new transportation. You name it, it's new. From the massive Ikea in Red Hook, to the gourmet market Foragers in DUMBO, there are new things to discover every day.
One of the most beautiful additions to the borough is Jane's Carousel. A full scale carousel from 1922 that took 25 years to restore is not something you see every day. A gift from Jane and David Walentas, the carousel is the icing on the cake of the newly developed Brooklyn Bridge Park. DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass)is the lucky neighborhood to receive this beautiful addition, and the Walentases basically created and own DUMBO, via Two Trees Management. David is a developer with an eye on the future, and wife Jane is an artist with an eye for design. The two purchased the carousel at auction in the early 80's saving it from being broken off and sold piece by piece.
The steel and glass structure that now houses the carousel is designed by world famous Architect- Jean Nouvel. The sleek structure is as modern and clean as the carousel is vintage and detailed, and the two are a perfect compliment to each other. Of course, the setting on the East River between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridge, and backdropped by lower Manhattan creates just about the most postcard worthy pictures you can imagine!
Housed in a nearby brick warehouse (next to St. Ann's Warehouse Theater) for the past 20 years, you can almost see the horses smiling about their new home!
Visit the Carousel anytime. Open or closed, it is a great place to visit. DUMBO is also the easiest area to visit in Brooklyn for all you Borough-phobes. You know who you are.. in fact, I used to be one. Trust me, taking the F train to the first stop in Brooklyn is about as easy as it gets. The whole trip takes about 15 minutes from 34th street in Manhattan.