Justin, who used to write for Uptownflavor, shared this map with us. He says, “The map is from 1992, from Edwin Marshall, planner for Harlem at NYC Planning Dept.” The map shows the huge amount of vacant land in Harlem at the time.
For quite a few years Uptownflavor has been following the progress (or lack thereof) of the old dilapidated Renaissance Ballroom that extends an entire city block along Lenox. Here is a short slideshow of photos that we have taken of the once lively dance hall. Others have also taken note of the slow progression of… [Read more…]
February 22, 2011 by D. Bell
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Dwell has an article in the March 11 issue about architect Bill Ryall who moved to Harlem 20 years ago at the height of the crack epidemic. Ryall bought an 1889 Queen Anne row house on West 118th Street for $42,000. To give the house the airy feel of a loft, He moved the stairs to… [Read more…]
February 6, 2011 by D. Bell
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Back in November we told you that PS 90 found the ideal community organization to occupy their massive cellar space. The National Dance Institute (NDI) closed on the 18,000 square foot space at a cost of $6 million and the space will house dance studios, administrative offices, and a gallery of images from Jacques d’Amboise‘s… [Read more…]
August 5, 2010 by D. Bell
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Last month the long-awaited unveiling of PS 90 was revealed to the American Institute of Architects and the press. In addition to retaining the architectural integrity of this stunning building, the landscaping in the northern courtyard was a thoughtful touch that made a good first impression and adds to the aesthetics of an already elegant… [Read more…]
July 30, 2010 by D. Bell
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H&M, the Swedish fashion retailer known for trendy clothing and affordable prices, relaunched its Harlem store this morning. The store underwent a five month interior and exterior renovation that resulted in a new stucco inspired facade and a more open layout. The set up seems to be the same – lower level all women’s wear… [Read more…]
June 30, 2010 by D. Bell
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Yesterday we posted a link to an article about the fight to preserve PS 186 in Hamilton Heights. The article noted that both PS 186 (opened 1903) and PS 90 (opened 1905) were built by the same architect, Charles Snyder who served as the superintendent of school buildings from 1891-1923. In his tenure he built… [Read more…]
June 28, 2010 by D. Bell
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With the renovation of PS90 making the pages of The Wall Street Journal, neighbors in Hamilton Heights have been hoping that the same outcome will materialize for a deteriorating school located on 145th Street between Amsterdam and Broadway. City Limits forwarded us the following link about the fight to save PS186, written by former U.… [Read more…]
We finally had a chance to check out the new monument to Frederick Douglass located at the 110th Street circle. Here are some shots that we captured after the rain yesterday.
June 11, 2010 by D. Bell
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On Sunday, June 13 from 11-4 PM, Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association will sponsor its 21st annual tour of homes — offering an inside look at the homes, the people, and the culture that make Harlem what it is today. During this annual event, guests are invited to visit original and renovatedbrownstone homes, urban… [Read more…]
April 5, 2010 by D. Bell
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Back in 2007 we announced the closing of the Pioneer Supermarket on 145th Street. The plan was to renovate the market and reopen it, possibly under different management. Well, here we are 3 years later and the renovated market is nearing completion. The new owner, Fine Fair Markets. The other day we received the following… [Read more…]
April 5, 2010 by D. Bell
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Over the weekend we took a trip farther uptown to the Bronx to explore the Bartow-Pell Mansion. As we viewed the romantic charms of the old aristocratic home, we discussed the lost details that modern homes don’t offer. Many of those details can be found in the historical homes along Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill.… [Read more…]
April 5, 2010 by D. Bell
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Some of you may have been following the efforts to save PS 186. PS 186 is a 107 year old abandoned school on 145th Street designed by famed turn-of-the-century architect C.B. J. Snyder. The school is in danger of being demolished and replaced with an unimaginative high rise. Members of the community have sent a… [Read more…]
March 23, 2010 by D. Bell
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The last wintery storm of the season took its toll on a partially occupied building in Harlem. The heavy snows caused the roof of the building at 144th and Lenox to cave in. The entire block of businesses were forced to close until crews could clear the debris. While the surrounding businesses have reopened, businesses in… [Read more…]
The annex to the Harlem YWCA built in the early 1930s has been demolished. This brings Abyssinian one step closer to renovating the former Renaissance Ballroom on Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. between 137th and 138th Street. A 2007 New York Times article had this to say about the dilapidated building: As the Renaissance project moves forward, no… [Read more…]
March 2, 2010 by D. Bell
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By Uptownflavor Photos. A building on the corner of 144th Street and Lenox Avenue suffered a partial roof collapse over the stormy weekend. The building housed a bodega, nail shop, and Jamaican restaurant on the lower level. The upper level was unoccupied and had for a rent sign in the window. Other businesses on the… [Read more…]
Blumstein by Trish Mayo. Blumstein’s department store for many years was Harlem’s largest. The handsome Art Nouveau-style 1923 building was designed by Robert Kohn and Charles Butler (who with Clarence Stein designed Temple Emanu-El of 1927-29 on Fifth Avenue at 65th Street). In the 1930s, local residents, led by the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr.,… [Read more…]
Polo? Anyone? (Examiner.com) A history of Harlem’s polo grounds. Posted using ShareThis
Curbed brings news of the launch of the PS 90 Condos, a new development on 148th Street. While this project was in the works long before the downturn and it remains to be seen what kind of prices it will sustain (450k- 900k) or how successful it will be. Either way it is good to… [Read more…]
June 5, 2009 by D. Bell
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Houdini’s House in Harlem Abracadabra!
I just received word that one of UF’s favorite Harlem hangouts is moving. After five years The Den will be leaving their familiar Fifth Avenue address for a new home. Stay tuned for an update as to where The Den will be relocating. If you have the inside scoop on the new locale please let… [Read more…]
May 23, 2009 by D. Bell
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Harlem’s notoriously famous hot spot opened on March 12, 1926. The club featured an elegant lobby with a marble staircase leading upstairs to the ballroom which was the entire length of the block. A ballroom designed with a double bandstand, one at each end of a 10,000 square foot dance floor holding an estimated 4000… [Read more…]
Back in March the blogger behind Harlem: Bespoke wrote a post about the history of Saint Nicholas Avenue that was then known as Harlem Lane. The New York Times has expanded on his post and written a full article about the history of the former carriage road in the Streetscapes section. Writer Christopher Gray says:… [Read more…]
The National Park Service invites members of the public to three Open Houses to share their ideas and expectations for the future of the African Burial Ground National Monument. A General Management Plan (GMP) is being drafted to recommend how this how this sacred site in downtown Manhattan may educate and inspire people all over the world… [Read more…]
Photo by jphillipobrien2006. Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association hosted its first Wine Tasting Evening in lieu of its monthly meeting yesterday. The two hour event was held at 66 West 120 Street, in the newly restored home of Chrissy & Russell Nance. Harlem Vintage poured a selection of wines, while members of the House… [Read more…]
We’ve heard our share of “creative” ideas for redeveloping Harlem, but this one just might take the cake. Charles J. Urstadt proposes that we fill the Harlem River in order to restore the land to its original state and create more land to build on. According to Urstadt: The Harlem River did not become a… [Read more…]
Starwood’s new Aloft Harlem Hotel is still on-target for an opening in 2010 as we reported back in May. Curbed posted new renderings of the project that are a great improvement over the direction earlier versions released.
Tomorrow, the Landmarks Preservation Commission is scheduled to create the first landmarks of 2009. Five buildings will share the honor including two public libraries on 125th Street in Harlem. The George Bruce Library (left) is located at 518 West 125th Street at Amsterdam Ave. The 125th Street Branch(right) is located at 224 East 125th Street near Third… [Read more…]
November 1, 2008 by D. Bell
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Dawanna Williams, 38, is the Founder and Principal of Dabar Development Properties. She left a promising career in law to become a developer in what she defines as “signature neighborhoods.” These neighborhoods include Harlem, Fort Greene, and Bushwick. While still working as a lawyer, she started buying up townhouses in her own Clinton Hill neighborhood,… [Read more…]
September 11, 2008 by D. Bell
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Via The Friends of St. Nicholas Park Original Roof Uncovered The restoration of the Grange includes removing parts of the roof that were added to the home after its completion in 1802. During the process of stripping the roof back to expose its finishes and flashings, the historic architects found evidence of the original 1802… [Read more…]
The City is working to revise building height limits in the controversial 125th Street Rezoning. The proposal seeks to reduce heights permitted along the commercial corridor from the 290′ permitted in certain areas in the recent rezoning down to 195′. “The follow-up text amendment application includes a zoning text amendment that would reduce the allowed… [Read more…]
May 24, 2008 by D. Bell
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Photo submitted to Flickr pool by forota. It appears that the beleaguered Hamilton Grange move has literally managed to get off the ground. For more on the problems faced with moving this historic landmark go here: Move halted [UF] Monument Meeting [UF]
We’d be remiss if we just skipped off into the sunset without mentioning that the Kalahari had a slight construction problem the other day. Parts of the new luxury condo building’s exterior wall fell off, landing in the African Market which sits right below. Critics might say it is the gods of architectural atrocities showing… [Read more…]
Important Meeting Scheduled Thursday, May 15th at 4:00 pm The Hamilton Grange National Monument, designed by John McComb, Jr. 1801-02, will be moved from its current site at 287 Convent @ W. 141st Street, on June 7th. This will be the second move for this historic structure–the first was in the 1880s from Convent Avenue… [Read more…]
May 12, 2008 by narmer
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The other day we featured a story from The Times about the new-ish concept of having a curated art gallery in the lobby of luxury buildings. The Times has followed up with a story about a landlord who has been onto this concept for years up in Washington Heights: To Adrian Longo, a building is… [Read more…]
April 27, 2008 by D. Bell
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Harlem Courthouse 170 East 121st Street New York, NY 10035 Date Built: 1891-1893 Architect: Thom and Wilson The Harlem Courthouse is located at the corner of East 121st Street and Sylvan Place. This building was built between 1891 and 1893, for use by the Municipal and Magistrate’s Courts. Its original function as a court ended… [Read more…]
March 28, 2008 by narmer
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The Apostle in Harlem The Harlem church, St. Thomas the Apostle, is an exquisite piece of neo-Gothic architecture, its spiky terra-cotta crown resembling a wedding cake. Finished in 1907, the church first served Irish parishioners and then a black congregation that waned and withered, its Sunday Mass sparsely attended, its building in dire need of… [Read more…]
Regarding the blog posting and circulating petition by Friends of St Nicholas Park which states that the move of the Grange is in jeopardy due to the efforts of a group of individuals trying to prevent relocation, please be advised that there are a few misstatements by the Friends of St Nicholas Park, which we would like to… [Read more…]
February 22, 2008 by D. Bell
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Thanks for your support of this site! Architectural Columns
January 31, 2008 by narmer
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Major League Baseball plans to build a home on 125th Street, Harlem’s premier boulevard, for its cable network, which is scheduled to make its debut early next year with some 50 million subscribers.To read the story click: [ New York Times]
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February 1, 2012 by D. Bell
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