Grand Army Plaza

Welcome, urban explorers and scholars of architectural history, to the grandest intersection in all of the great borough of Brooklyn. You are standing at Grand Army Plaza, a sprawling, monumental crossroads where the vibrant…

Welcome to the northern edge of the plaza, where we are immediately greeted by the magnificent Bailey Fountain. As you approach, close your eyes for a moment and take in the sensory experience. …

Stepping away from the refreshing mist of the Bailey Fountain, we find ourselves walking among a scattering of smaller, human-scale monuments that populate the perimeter of the plaza. These statues offer a fascinating…

Let us walk closer now, moving directly toward the massive, cavernous passageway of the arch. As you step into the shadow of the colossal stone piers, you will immediately notice a shift in the acoustic environment. …

Continuing our journey southward from the shadow of the memorial arch, we approach the actual threshold of Prospect Park. Standing as imposing sentinels before the green expanse are four massive, highly ornamented stone columns. …

Just past the imposing imperial columns, we arrive at two elegant, open-air entrance pavilions, commonly referred to as the gazebos. Step underneath the roof of one of these structures and look straight up. …

Turning our gaze eastward from the park entrance, we look down the sweeping, massive expanse of Eastern Parkway. Take a moment to appreciate the sheer width of this thoroughfare. …

Walking just a bit further along the eastern edge of the plaza, we confront one of the most spectacularly unique buildings in all of New York City: the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. Stand back and let your eyes…

As our tour comes to a close, find a quiet vantage point near the edge of the plaza to take in the full, sweeping panorama of this incredible urban space. We have traced the grand, nineteenth-century ambition of a borough that…