A Small Version of “a city that never sleeps”!

New Brooklyn in Almere is a modern and dynamic urban district, inspired by the iconic Brooklyn in New York City. With 1,400 new homes in the Almere Poort area, it is set to become the place to live. The fact that New Brooklyn never stands still is already evident. The new development offers a mix of living and lifestyle spaces for all stages of life, and the façades ensure the neighborhood always feels in motion. Public spaces such as squares and streets, combined with characteristic Brooklyn design elements, create a well-designed district full of traditions inspired by Brooklyn, New York.

Architects
Commissioned by developer Heijmans, American Brooklyn has been translated into a Dutch version. It began with the urban master plan, first developed by urban designers from West 8. This laid the foundation for reflecting New York’s Brooklyn in the Dutch New Brooklyn.

Later, two architectural firms were brought in to jointly create the ideal homes for this plan. The firms M3H Architecten and INBO designed the residences beautifully as they stand today. Both are known for dynamic urban design and the expressive use of brickwork. They emphasize diverse housing types, making the neighborhood suitable for different target groups while creating outdoor spaces rich in social interaction.

Design highlights & the role of brick
The entire urban design shows an exceptional eye for detail. Custom window frames and special-shaped bricks were designed specifically for this project, referencing the signature windows of Brooklyn, something the architect discussed in a podcast about the design.

To further urbanize the streetscape, cafés and bakeries are located on the corners of closed building blocks, with large painted murals on the side façades. This gives the district character and identity.

Residents can meet in a large central green strip, inner courtyards, and tree-lined streets. The wide avenues of New Brooklyn are planted with large trees, with benches in between where neighbors can meet and enjoy the sun. Children play on the extra-wide sidewalks while parents keep an eye on them.

Brick plays a versatile role in the design, both functionally and aesthetically. It directly references the classic architecture of Brooklyn, New York, contributing to the urban and industrial atmosphere characteristic of the original borough. Bricks are also used decoratively, with playful masonry patterns and reliefs along rooflines. Unique textures and color variations give each building its own identity and enhance the layered streetscape. Additionally, bricks are used in raised entrances and steps along the street, which, combined with steel railings and green strips, perfectly echo the streets of the original Brooklyn.

Vision for the new district
New Brooklyn was designed to be an atmospheric neighborhood, just like the original Brooklyn in New York. The primary inspiration was the lively atmosphere, aiming to recreate its industrial character and energy. The result is a district full of dynamism—not only in its façades but also through characteristic elements such as stoops, sidewalks, and wide streets.

Another key vision was inclusivity across age groups. To achieve this, a variety of housing types have been developed, including studios, ground-level owner-occupied homes, three-story houses with gardens, mid-range rentals, social housing, and duplex apartments. This diversity fosters a natural mix of residents and creates a vibrant, balanced community within the neighborhood.