Neighborhood Spotlight
Harlem: A Neighborhood on the Rise

by Robert D. Greenberg and Lisa Martone

A few years back, before the Great Recession, East and West Harlem saw a plethora of new developments spring up out of the ground. Yet, despite the harsh economic climate, a number of new projects, large and small, are now under development and their impact will be felt for generations to come.

Columbia University’s West Harlem Campus
Long an anchor in the Morningside Heights community, CU’s 20-year plan anticipates significant growth in their student population and demand for new campus buildings and dormitory space.  CU has unveiled plans to add a major, new satellite campus in the area bounded by West 125th Street, West 131st Street, Broadway and Riverside Drive.  Once complete, the new campus will contain over 6.8 million SF of space for teaching, research, underground parking, and support services.

The first phase of the project, scheduled for completion in 2015, will include the Jerome L. Greene Science Center, new homes for Columbia Business School, the School of International and Public Affairs, and the School of the Arts. The second phase will stretch to West 133rd Street and one block west of Broadway and is expected to be completed around 2030, and will include program space for biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, systems biology, and urban and populations studies, as well as housing for graduate students and faculty.

“The expansion of one of New York’s oldest educational institutions will enhance the vitality of both the University and its neighboring community,” states Governor David Paterson.  “This $6.3 billion project will result in 14,000 construction jobs over 25 years and 6,000 University positions. Recognizing the needs of our West Harlem community, the project also includes a community benefits agreement that will provide scholarships for local residents, medical facilities for school-age children and enhanced curricula for local secondary schools.”

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said recently that: “Columbia’s new campus will complement the City’s investment at the recently-opened West Harlem Piers Park and planned streetscape improvements along West 125th Street, and build upon other initiatives in Upper Manhattan, including last year’s rezoning of 125th Street and the East 125th Street development.   Columbia’s plan will help solidify New York City as a world-renowned center for higher education and scientific research.  The expansion will also provide nearly 100,000 square feet of publicly accessible open space, and activate the neighborhood’s street life with wide sidewalks and ground-floor retail uses.”

The Rebirth of 125th Street
“125th Street offers a wide variety of services, cultural venues and retail businesses ranging from small to medium-sized stores. It has a strong history and distinctive cultural character and identity, which makes it a center for economic, social, cultural and transit activity in Harlem.  These qualities are very special to the residents who enjoy this walkable neighborhood,” said Barbara Askins, President of the 125th Street Business Improvement District.

East River Plaza Mall
Nearly 15 years after the Blumenfeld Development Group worked to acquire the six-acre site, located between 116th Street and 119th Street, and after many complications along the way, the 485,000 SF  East River Plaza Mall, a suburban style vertical, big box mall designed by GreenbergFarrow, finally opened its doors in November 2009.  Despite initial concerns over the viability of the market, the anchor tenants—Costco, Marshall’s, Target and Best Buy—all expect very high demand and strong results from an area with good income demographics that has long been underserved.   

East Harlem Entertainment, Media & Cultural Center
The $700 million East Harlem Entertainment, Media and Cultural Center (MEC) broke ground this spring. What may be the most exciting public/project in the City, the MEC will eventually include 50,000 square feet of retail, 98,000 square feet of hotel space, 250,000 square feet of office space, 30,000 square feet of community buildings and 800 residences and will become a business, retail and entertainment destination for East Harlem residents and others throughout the City.  The project is also expected to generate approximately 2,500 full-time permanent jobs and 4,300 construction jobs.

Upscale Living
Harlem has becomes a magnet for those seeking the Manhattan lifestyle at affordable prices.  As crime has dropped significantly and an explosion of charter schools and new public school initiatives have helped to raise the educational bar, literally block by block, Harlem has truly thrived.  There are a number of new projects in Harlem ranging from condominiums, rental to cooperative apartments currently under development.

The Lore NYC - 261 West 112th Street
It’s been deemed one of the most attractive new developments in Harlem. This six-story building features 36 luxury one- and two-bedroom condominium apartments. The units boast Brookhaven cabinetry, granite countertops and backsplash, nine foot ceilings, Whirlpool bathtubs and Oak hardwood floors. The building itself features, a state-of-the-art fitness center, landscaped common rear courtyard and private terraces and balconies for many units.  Units range from $495,000 to $895,000. 

119th & Third
This new luxury rental development, 119th & Third, features brilliant natural light and stunning views from floor-to-ceiling windows. The building boasts a common rooftop terrace, unique rooftop cabanas and private terraces.  The glass-enclosed development features 27 self-parking spaces, a 24/7 doorman, refrigerated lobby storage, a beautifully landscaped 1,800 SF rooftop, a sunlit gym with state-of-the-art equipment, storage, and bicycle rooms.  The rental units range from $1900 to $3100.  Seventy five percent of the 90 rental units have been leased including recent leases of several penthouse apartments.

2280 Frederick Douglass
2280 FDB has raised the standard for quality of construction, materials, appliances and finishes to a new, higher level. The kitchens include Aster Cucine custom cabinetry and seamless CaesarStone countertops. The baths incorporate such standout features as Grigio Luna Indian Sandstone tile. From the 12th floor communal roof terrace with an outdoor fireplace, to its on-site parking, 2280 FDB has the amenities that matter.  This building offers one to three bedroom homes ranging from $509,000 to $1,889,000. Currently, 40 percent of the 89 units have been sold since its opening in the Spring of 2010.

Embelesar118
Designed by award-winning Rogers Marvel Architects for Bluestone East 118th Street Realty, LLC, Embelesar118 features 58 spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom residences.  This eight-story cooperative development at 152 East 118th Street boasts upscale kitchens and baths and a stunning façade of earth-toned, textured brick, highlighted by sleek aluminum panels.  Plans are being made to renovate the adjacent 5,100 SF community garden including an architectural wrought iron fence, as well as new sidewalk and curbs.

A Bright Future
The rebirth of 125th Street, the additions of the East Harlem Entertainment, Media and Cultural Center and the new East River Mall have defied the so-called experts and proved that Harlem has the demographics and income levels to successfully support these major investments in the community.   With the addition of the new Columbia campus and so many new residences and attractions Harlem has become, once again, a great place to live, work and play.