First, Fortune Magazine featured Dumbo’s “Silicon Beach”, and the New York Observer followed with this piece this week. Not sure what I think about the name Silicon Beach, but like that people are noticing the great companies, services, and products coming from Dumbo or Gairville or Digital Dumbo or NY Digital District or whatever name is given to the small 10 block area under the bridges.

By the way, the article states that “City Hall officialy named the area New York’s Digital District.” When did that happen? I must’ve missed the note, because I don’t remember Marty Markowitz making this official.

The NY Observer visits 1 Main St, 45 Main St, 16 Main St (Galapagos), 55 Washington St, 38 Water St (St. Ann’s Warehouse), 215 Water St, 56 Water and St (Jane’s Carousel).

See their slideshow.

In 2010, the US economy continued to struggle, an oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico spilling an estimated 4.9 millions of barrels of oil, Obama’s healthcare bill was signed, China ascended as the world’s second largest economy, we saw the rise of social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Groupon, and Foursquare, and a little tablet computer called the iPad was launched to market by Apple. Some bright spots, and some not so bright areas of the world affected everyone, including those of Dumbo residents and businesses. Based on data provided by the NYC and the lack of inventory, Dumbo’s real estate held its own. While the US unemployment rate stayed around 10%, early stage companies and ‘digital’ businesses in Dumbo were hiring, growing, being acquired, and even becoming too big to stay. Nimble companies based in Dumbo saw opportunities in social media and app development for the iPhones, iPads, and Android markets. Digital Dumbo, the local networking event for social media, digital, and tech firms saw a huge rise in attendees, participants, and companies looking to hire.

As in the past years, Dumbo continued it’s change. That word seems to be the constant in the neighborhood in the past few years. Dumbo had a year of being a construction zone to make its infrastructure more modern, while keeping the old world charm of Belgian block streets. Parks were closed for renovation while new ones opened up. And finally the retail opening and closings seem to happen every month or so. Let’s take a look back at 2010 and see how Dumbo has changed for better or for worse.

1. New Retailers Opened in Dumbo in 2010
   Dewey’s Candy, Stewart/Stand (relocation), Taylor Fitness, ñ Restaurant, Choice Kitchens, Priviledged, DUMBO Muffin, the Cafe (opened, closed, and reopened as Archway Cafe), MotoDumbo, Abhaya Yoga, P.S. Bookshop and Brooklyn Bridge Gardens, O’Crepes, DUMBO Gymnastics, NOS Men, Shibui, Barber on Pearl, Rapid Realty, and The Best Chocolate Cake
2. …But not as many retailers closed shop this year.
   Compared to prior years, Loopy Mango and Mikey’s Hook-Up were the two retailers that moved out. Many of the retailers have told us that if they survived Dumbo in the past two years, they are ready to take on 2011 and beyond. Is the worst of the poor economy past us?
3. Dumbo as Construction Zone
   Both Water Street (from Adams to Old Fulton Streets) and Washington Street (from York to Plymouth Streets) were dug up to install water and sewer mains so the area has updated infrastructure. Construction is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2011. Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge are also being worked on.
4. Construction Includes the Parks
   Empire Fulton Ferry State Park closed to improve drainage, add park furnishings, lighting, and of course house Jane’s Carousel (which is still generating controversy for its placement). Another concern by some include the removal of the trees. The scheduled reopening is spring 2011. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 and 6 opened with much fanfare this past Spring.
5. Dumbo’s Techs: NY Digital District, Digital Dumbo, Silicon Beach, Whatever
   Whatever name is given, what unites this historic Dumbo is the creative community (artists of all types- painters, sculptors, and the digital type), the dynamic entrepreneurs who navigate their business worlds with will power and hard work, and the new residents. Dumbo’s online presence in social media, websites, and services blossomed and ‘the media’ declared the neighborhood’s companies as the ones to watch. (NY Digital District, Digital Dumbo, Silicon Beach)
6. Dumbo’s Real Estate Defied Larger Market Trend
   A 70 Washington Penthouse sold in 4 weeks for $3,850,000. A 30 Main St apartment was listed for almost $5.4 million. A $25 Million Dumbo apartment is in negotiation. Is this 2006? According to realtors, clients are on the sidelines waiting for listings to come to market. If it’s not the Wall Streeters whose bonus this year increased over 2010, more inquiries are coming from where else? Asia, or specifically China.
7. Gentrification Is in Full Swing in Dumbo
   NY Magazine declared that Dumbo is one of the ‘most livable neighborhoods’ with David Walentas as the “benevolent dictator with a vision for the whole neighborhood.” If that doesn’t say gentrification, we don’t know what is. The MTA even declared it so by putting Dumbo on the map and showing how the 2009 subway ridership in Dumbo area stations went up. There was even a foot tapping song about it called Yuppie Exodus From Dumbo (by Jed Davis). Other ‘signs’ in 2010 were the installation of Dumbo’s First stoplight, a new Two Trees marketing sign on 45 Main Street building and Downtown Brooklyn Wayfinding Sign Installations. And finally a national AP story describes Dumbo as ‘trendy’, ‘offbeat’, and ‘a secret neighborhood’, which means that if you haven’t heard of Dumbo by now, it’s too late to ‘discover’ the neighborhood.
8. Even with Gentrification, Keep an Eye Out for Crime
   Of course car break ins occurred again and again. And if you think just because there are lots of rich residents in Dumbo, you’re immune to muggings. It happened in broad daylight, and again, and again. There was even a bank robbery this year, though the robber was arrested thanks to a vigilant doorman.
9. But We All Still Love Dumbo’s Festivals (Big and Small)
   As is every summer, there are festivals in Dumbo (BKLYN Designs, New York Photo Festival, Bent Festival). There was a fun Night Market, hosted by the celebrity chef David Chang, a 2010 World Science Festival, RE/Mixed Media Festival 2010, the 6th Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, and of course the largest one, the Dumbo Arts Festival 2010.
10. Food Truck Craze Hits Dumbo
    One of the biggest complaints I hear from friends and neighbors is that it’s missing some good food options (especially Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Italian). 2010 brought us the food trucks for the lunch crowd in Dumbo: Halal truck, wafels & dinges, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, Munch Truck, and Schnitzel and Things. (Though we haven’t seen Schnitzel Fridays, Cravings Truck, or Treats Truck in a while. Come back!) Someone even spotted a free range chicken, but turned out it was not for lunch or dinner.

Of course there were many more changes and events in Dumbo. There will be much more to come in 2010. Please comment below on other items of significance in Dumbo in 2010 I may have missed.

{Dumbo Top Ten in 2008}
{Dumbo Top Ten in 2007}
{Dumbo Top Ten in 2006}

What is known as Dumbo now was previously known as Rapailie, Olympia, or Gairville. Today, the business district is known for its media and digital companies. Names such as Digital Dumbo, NY Digital District, and now Silicon Beach (despite the fact that there are no circuits being manufactured here) are some nicknames for the Dumbo Historic District. According to Fortune, the area is home to 65 digital companies in Dumbo. They highlight “six of the hottest” ones.

Says the article: “For years real estate agents, always keen to coin inventive new neighborhood names, have been branding and rebranding a five-block radius in DUMBO as tech’s next big stomping ground, using any handle that might stick: the next Silicon Alley, Digital DUMBO, and more recently, Silicon Beach. While swimming on the shores of the East River is probably about as wise as sunbathing on Sand Hill Road, the designers, developers, and transplanted executives employed at the 65-plus tech companies in the neighborhood agree that the ‘hood is a sweet spot, not just for client opportunities, but for affordable office space a subway stop away from Manhattan.”

1. Big Spaceship (founded 2000, staff of 50)
2. Etsy (founded 2005, staff of 160)
3. Carrot Creative (founded 2005, staff of 18)
4. Huge (founded 1999, staff of 300)
5. In8Mobile (founded 2007, staff of 10)
6. Brooklyn Digital Foundry (founded 1999, staff of 9)

(Photos by writer/reporter JP Mangalindan)

{A tour of New York’s startup “Silicon Beach”, 29Nov2010, CNN Money/Fortune}

1st Thursdays DUMBO Gallery Walk is tonight. A few other events in the neighborhood:

1)
Gelf’s Varsity Letters sports reading series returns tonight, July 1, at 7:30 p.m. At this free monthly event in DUMBO, Brooklyn, hosted by Gelf and Jan Larsen Art, Mark Hyman, Elias Altman, and Will Leitch will read from and talk about their work. Hyman will examine youth sports and their dangers. Altman will bring stories from the latest, sports-themed issue of Lapham’s Quarterly. And Leitch will discuss father-son relationships around baseball.

Doors open at 7:00.
Event starts at 7:30. FREE!

Visit reBar, around the corner, afterward; attendees of Varsity Letters and other Gelf events get discounts on food and drink.

2)

Digital DUMBO #17 IWNY Wrap Up
July 1, 2010, 6:30-8:30pm

Did you miss out on Internet Week NY? Or maybe you had so much fun networking and crashing parties that you want to re-live it all over again?

Join us for a summary & wrap party Digital DUMBO style where we will showcase some of the work done for the event by Dumbo’s finest. We’re heading back to Galapagos and we hope to see you there to toast to another Internet Week NY event gone by!

Galapagos Art Space
16 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

[UPDATE: We were sent a bottle of liquor (and nothing else) and promptly shared it, so therefore this is a sponsored post. Here's why we posted about stoop life and its relevance to Dumbo.]

Tonight is the annual Brooklyn Blogfest at The Brooklyn Lyceum in Park Slope. This year, Spike Lee will make an appearance to kick off the summer with the new, very limited edition of ABSOLUT Brooklyn. Spike Lee designed the bottle in a way that represented Brooklyn the best, a photo of his Brooklyn stoop with a Spike Lee enhanced cap on the logo of the bottle. The stoop step represents the place where Brooklynites meet, hang out, sell stuff, and sometimes drink, which is what unites the community. While stoop life defines Brooklyn, Dumbo doesn’t have any stoops. Its large former factories and warehouses, Belgian block streets, and views of the two bridges and Manhattan skyline define Dumbo’s old world feel (think Once Upon a Time in America). What unites this historic Dumbo is the creative community (artists of all types- painters, sculptors, and the digital type), the dynamic entrepreneurs who navigate their business worlds with will power and hard work, and the new residents. Dumbo’s online presence in social media, websites, and services is our version of the stoop life.

This is why we’ve partnered with groups in the digital world (offline) to help foster a community that supports area artists, entrepreneurs, and residents to sustain the creative community Dumbo is known for. DumboNYC co-sponsored the last Digital DUMBO, and raised nearly $1000 for the Brooklyn Community Foundation at the May 26 event. We felt that partnering with area non-profits that benefit the community goes along with the Dumbo stoop life.

Spike Lee sent us a bottle of ABSOLUT Brooklyn, and naturally thought to share it with the good folks at Carrot Creative and the New York Digital District (NYDD). On the bottle, there’s a quote from Lemon Andersen’s spoken word poem “Somewhere in the world Brooklyn in da house and you know we won’t stop spreading love cause that’s our way.” The NYDD in Dumbo shows the world how it’s done, and glad to see the Brooklyn community is supported by way of a $50,000 donation by ABSOLUT Vodka to the NYC Habitat for Humanity.

Cheers!

At some point in 2009, the digital media agencies and tech companies of Dumbo realized that there are too many great products and services shifting the digital advertising and media industry concentrated in one area to ignore eachother. So in January 2009, an event, called Digital Dumbo was started to get the talent together to meet and discuss tech topics. I’ve met with several of these companies since then and chatted about projects and connected a few companies to do business together. (As a tech executive myself, I’ve hired a few of these businesses to help with some projects). Since then, a few of Dumbo’s digital community have formed a group to promote the businesses and announced Dumbo as home to New York’s Digital District (follow them on Twitter @nydd or nydd.us.) And now the Wall Street Journal featured Dumbo today announcing the area as the new Madison Avenue.

Ironic how traditional print media is elevating digital companies, but they’re also realizing that NYDD can’t be ignored. Yes, these guys are for real. The 10, 20, 30 person ‘digital shops’ are more nimble and can focus on their expertise (social media, web dev, communication, mobile/smartphone development, SEO, augmented reality, etc), rather than being a generalist. Mike Germano, president and co-founder of Carrot Creative, Michael Lebowitz, Big Spaceship‘s chief executive, and David Skokna, founder of Huge were quoted in the article. Matt Van Hoven of Agencyspy said it best- this “essentially means that everyone working at one of those places can now expect a call from some CMO somewhere. Well done, boys and girls.”

BTW, join us for next week’s Digital Dumbo. We’re sponsoring the event with The JAR Group and starting a donation program as a way to give back to local non-profits. Info and RSVP here.

(Image courtesy of Colin Murphy. Thanks Colin!)

{Mad Men, Meet the Dumbo Crew, 20May2010, WSJ}
{Dear Advertising, We’re Moving This B*tch to Brooklyn, Love Digital, 28Jan2010, Agencyspy}
{Dumbo Deserves Google Fiber, 07Apr2010, DumboNYC}
{DigitalDumbo: Work Hard. Play Hard. Repeat. Win., 26Feb2010, DumboNYC}

The Brooklyn Digital Foundry, Carrot Creative, and Drop.io are leading the initiative to establish DUMBO Brooklyn as the New York Digital District (NYDD) to promote this dynamic area’s ability to satisfy a vast array of technology and web-based needs for brands and companies.

The NYDD’s first initiative is to try to catch the eye of Google for their Google Fiber project (google.com/appserve/fiberrfi). Our official submissions were submitted on time and our collection of video testimonials (www.nydd.us) is off the ground. The collection, however, is lacking; we need a stronger show of support from the community! The official submission deadline has passed (March 26), but that doesn’t mean that we can’t continue to produce testimonial videos to show the community’s support for Google Fiber and the NYDD.

The Brooklyn Digital Foundry will be providing a walk-in recording studio this Friday, April 9th for anyone and everyone in the neighborhood to stop by and record their 30-second testimonial. The Foundry is located at 20 Jay Street, suite 1105. The basic script is available for download here: http://bit.ly/nyddgoogfiber. People can notify us of when they may be stopping by here: http://bit.ly/gfiberinterest.

We want participation from not only digital businesses, but any company that makes the DUMBO community and economy go ’round. In addition to helping people record their videos, we’ll be raffling off* two (2) $10 gift certificates to Dewey’s Candy and three (3) gift certificates good for one free crepe at the new O’Crepes!

See everyone Friday!

Please contact Chris Fohlin (fohlin@brooklynfoundry.com) if you have any questions.

*Max of one gift certificate per person

Sponsored by Invoke @ The Dumbo Loft

Canada’s it-kid interactive agency, Invoke, loves Brooklyn. Since expanding to NYC last year, Invoke has been uber-inspired by the burgeoning tech scene in DUMBO. In gratitude for welcoming them into the community, they want to buy you drinks at Digital DUMBO #14 — and hopes to inspire you too.

Invoke specializes in creating fresh social technologies for clients and agencies. Their peeps love to create methods and spaces for online communication, and then make them happen. The Invoke team is best known for creating the killer social media dashboard, HootSuite.

To RSVP, go to digitaldumbo.eventbrite.com. Follow @digitaldumbo on Twitter.

When: Thursday, March 25, 2010 from 7:00 – 10:00pm
Where: The Dumbo Loft, 155 Water Steet (Corner of Pearl and Water) Brooklyn NY, 11201

Previously:
{DigitalDumbo: Work Hard. Play Hard. Repeat. Win., 26Feb2010}

The thirteenth Digital Dumbo event, sponsored by HUSH was a full house last night at Galapagos Art Space, despite blizzard conditions. Conceived in Dumbo, birthed in Dumbo, operating daily in Dumbo, (as well as Montreal, Canada), HUSH focuses on telling stories with moving images as they pertain to all things digital. Co-founders Erik Karasyk and David Schwartz (@HushStudios), and Director of Interactive Tim Nolan (@tim_nolan) presented the visual imagery on the big screen and provided a setting that makes Digital Dumbo one of the coolest industry events in NYC. Providing an open bar and free candy (courtesy of Dewey’s Candy) helped fuel the fun too. J Russell Fraze and VJ Dan Savage (somethingsavage.com) provided the perfect music set too.

The Digital Dumbo events bring together the best digital minds of Dumbo and NYC and is a showcase for growing media and technology businesses in Dumbo Brooklyn. While the job market across the country is down, the companies of Digital Dumbo are growing. It’s no mystery that they’re working hard to bridge the online and interactive areas to clients that are looking for nimble and innovative players, but they also know how to play hard. These companies love what they do and where they do it. Says HUSH, “it is totally awesome how we can peel off some time and dedicate it to the idea of giving back to the place we all love, live, and work in.”. The master plan of self proclaimed Digital District of NY to lead, innovate, and exchange ideas is seen when talking with people of ‘@nydd‘.

Watch for more to come in the newly acquired domain name digitaldumbo.com, as announced last night. Great job all!

HUSH (heyhush.com)
68 Jay Street, Suite 208, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Hush Studio Flickr set
DumboNYC Flickr set

Carrot Creative and the Digital Dumbo team would like to extend a special invitation to come celebrate the one year anniversary of Digital Dumbo!

It seems like just yesterday we we’re crammed into the tiny room at Rebar for Digital Dumbo #1 catching up with friends and industry contacts over delicious beverages. This year we are kicking off 2010 by showcasing some of the cool stuff Carrot Creative has been working on and what to expect from us in the future.

We have some exciting announcements to make and even more exciting performances….let’s just say, BE THERE! 6:30-9pm

Galapagos Art Space
16 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY

Digital DUMBO was created to bring together the digital minds of DUMBO and the greater NYC area to network, showcase local talent, educate, and facilitate idea exchange. New to Digital DUMBO? Follow them on Twitter @digitaldumbo for the latest updates.