What’s Happening in Harlem These Days?!
By: Michael Kelley-Bradford
Selling NYC!
Sept 28, 2023
Manhattan has some great neighborhoods with a ton of history and distinct culture. One neighborhood that stands out in terms of cultural significance is Harlem. When most think of Harlem they think of African American culture. From the 1920s to the 1930s, Central and West Harlem were the center of the Harlem Renaissance, a major African-American cultural movement. The community birthed and hosted countless musicians, writers, and actors during this time. The Apollo Theater opened on 125th Street on January 26, 1934, in a former burlesque house. The famed Cotton Club also opened during this time. The history and cultural significance of Harlem are well-documented and to this day can still be felt. Popular TV shows like Harlem on Amazon Prime and The Godfather of Harlem starring Oscar winner Forrest Whitaker are some of my favorites to watch. Musicians such as Drake still headline the Apollo and legends such as Baby Face swing by small local events. Harlem is truly a special place.
As a real estate agent who spends a lot of time in Harlem, I have seen so much growth in the area. The 125thcorridor is the heart of Harlem and where we have seen so much growth in the last decade. It’s a bustling diverse mecca with both large retailers and mom-and-pop shops. Want to hear what’s been brewing as of late? Let me tell you!
- Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel – The Renaissance opened at the end of August in 2023 and is one of the newest editions to the Marriott portfolio. The +20-story hotel will be one of the tallest structures on 125th and in the neighborhood. The Renaissance is attached to the landmark Victoria Theatre and will include fantastic bars and restaurants as well as retail space. The rooftop bar is a must-see, boasting spectacular views of Central Park and the midtown skyline. https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/nychl-renaissance-new-york-harlem-hotel/overview/
- The Victoria Theatre – The Victoria Theater was most recently a movie theater until it was vacated in 1997. It was originally built as a vaudeville house in 1917, and was one of four contiguous venues on 125th Street, alongside the Apollo Theater, the Harlem Opera House, and the Alhambra Theater known as Harlem’s Opera Row. After years of poor maintenance, the theatre is being restored and modernized. The new revitalized facility will include two theatres and office space, and it will be attached to the fabulous new Renaissance Hotel. The theatre will support multiple artistic programs and Apollo Theater has announced Ta-Nehisi Coates as the inaugural artist-in-residence. https://www.apollotheater.org/victoria-theater/
- The (New) Studio Museum – The Studio Museum in Harlem is an American art museum devoted to the work of artists of African descent. The new facilities will be on 125th off of Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. Per the building architect David Adjaye, “In designing the new building for 125th Street, education space and the space for artists’ studios are presented as a sort of triptych frame that holds the center body of the composition”. Expect some fantastic exhibits to be showcased in the new contemporary space. https://studiomuseum.org
- Trader Joe’s & Target – These big box retailers are names most of us know well, and they are welcome additions to the 125th Both retailers will be located in the new Urban League Empowerment Center. The development will also include a Sephora and much-needed affordable housing units.
- Sephora & Pandora – These other well-known retailers will also be located in the new Urban League Empowerment Center. The city’s first Civil Rights Museum will be adjacent.
- Ray Harlem at 2033 Fifth Ave – Per its website, “Ray is partnering with the National Black Theatre (NBT) to create a transformative building at 2033 5th Ave, also known as National Black Theatre Way. The project will deliver the flagship Ray Harlem residential rentals and the next iteration of the NBT performance space, as well as dynamic retail.” The building's architecture will be a great addition to the 125th corridor east of Lenox. Per its website, “In service of infusing new energy and perspective into the conventional New York City real estate process, Ray carefully selected design partners who could help advance the landscape by thinking outside of the traditional building box.” https://www.rayisaplace.com/projects/ray-harlem/
- 88 East 127th – New York is known as an expensive city and quality rental housing is much needed for working-class individuals. 88 East 127th is a new affordable housing development that will provide some of this much-needed housing. Per the website the development offers, “state-of-the-art amenities, spacious and modern apartments, and a prime location”, and a “Residential Lounge with a landscaped terrace, game room, fitness center, library/co-working space, and a pet spa room.” https://www.88east127th.com
- 600 West 125th (Columbia Campus Expansion) – Columbia University sits just to the West of South Harlem. As time has gone on the neighborhoods of Morningside Heights and Harlem have merged near the 125th corridor near Broadway. Columbia University’s Manhattanville project and campus expansion have brought a modern flare to this part of the 125th 600 West 125th will be the tallest structure showcasing this modernization. https://neighbors.columbia.edu/600w125thstreet
- Taystee Lab Building (completed in 2022) – Per the 6sqft website the new Taystee Lab was, “Developed by Janus Property Companyand designed by Levenbetts with SLCE as the executive architect…the $700 million Taystee Lab Building rises 11 stories and features a glassy exterior and flexible, efficient floor plates”, and “The 350,000-square-foot Taystee Lab Building, named after the bread bakery that once occupied the lot, is the largest building in the Manhattanville Factory District, a master-planned, multi-building campus stretching from West 125th Street to West 128th Street with dedicated commercial and community space.” https://www.6sqft.com/harlems-massive-700m-taystee-lab-building-is-complete/
