Category Archives: real estate

‘Secret Agent’ buys in Harlem

According to The New York Observer, Harlem is getting a “secret agent.” Well, actually Fifth on the Park is. Apparently, Glen Sergeon Jr., who got him dubbed the “Secret Agent” by Forbes magazine back in May has said goodbye to his Greenwich Village penthouse for a three-bedroom apartment in the condo tower Fifth on the Park. Records show that the Secret Agent himself paid $1.42 million for his new place on the 20th floor of the 28-story building located near Marcus Garvey Park at 120th Street.

The article mentions that Fifth on the Park is the tallest apartment building in Harlem and the Secret Agent’s “new 1,884-square-foot home offers all the modern amenities, such as state of the art kitchens with granite counter tops, washer/dryers, central air conditioner and heating systems, cherry wood floors, oversized windows, 9 – 10′ ceiling heights, marble baths with soaking tubs and custom closets.” And the Secret Agent is getting a deal. There are almost no taxes to pay, due to the 421-a program.

Hope the residents at Fifth on the Park are excited about having a “secret agent” living in their building. Maybe they will dub him the James Bond of Harlem?

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Harlem real estate progress report: Windows on 123 sold out and 88 Morningside half remaining

Windows on 123

The Harlem real estate sector continues to progress even though the markets in general appear to be down on all other fronts. Two properties in Harlem are meeting their mark given the uncertain times. According to Halstead Property Development, the first phase of a two-building development, Windows on 123 Apartments, a luxury condominium development in Harlem, is sold out and that the launch of sales has begun at Windows on 123 Lofts, the development’s nearby sister property. Windows on 123 is a 34-unit luxury residential development located at 117 and 129 West 123rd Street near Lenox Avenue.

88 Morningside

West of the Windows on 123 is 88 Morningside. They had a successful month in June as well. More than 50 percent of the units are sold in this new Harlem condo building and it is one of the fastest selling new developments in Harlem.

If you’re looking for a downtown loft-like apartment, Windows on 123 might be worth the visit or if you want to have park views, 88 Morningside offers that. It is located along Morningside Park, which is a gorgeous park! And that’s my Harlem real estate progress report!

Harlem to become outdoor music stage June 21

Jun 20, 2011 @ 7:57
By HarlemGal
On June 21, look around in Harlem. You may hear music everywhere. Harlem Park to Park (HP2P) and its HP2P businesses are taking part in Make Music New York, the citywide free live musical celebration on Tuesday, June 21st.

From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., participating Harlem Park to Park businesses will become impromptu outdoor stages offering live musical performances and some select specials. A complete list of business are listed below.

AOL features Harlem on Gadling

Jun 13, 2011 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal
If you’re not on Flipboard, Taptu or Pulse on your Ipad, get there soon. I am finding a load of information about Harlem on these app tools, such as Gadling, which has a profile of Harlem up on their site. Gadling is an AOL travel blog.

In their profile on Harlem, they list different things to do than The Boston Globe or The Financial Times. They tell their readers to check out places in Harlem, such as the Jazz Museum, Hip Hop Culture Center, Patsy’s in Spanish Harlem, WYZ Bar at the Aloft Hotel and more. Check out the complete story yourself by clicking here!

Mount Morris Park neighborhood of Harlem Annual House Tour is this weekend

Jun 10, 2011 @ 14:38
By HarlemGal
Don’t forget the annual Mount Morris Park Annual House Tour is this weekend hosted by Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association. It is this Sunday, June 12th!

This is the time when one can see some of the most beautiful brownstones in New York City that make up Central Harlem, also known as the Mt. Morris Park area. Also the area was recently praised by New York Magazine.

Here is the schedule for the day for those interested in attending:

  • 11 AM to 4 PM: Follow the Self-Guided Tour of Homes 
  • 1 PM and 3 PM: Join the Architectural Walking Tour
  • 12 Noon and 2 PM: Go Inside Historic Harlem
  • 1:30 PM: Join the Marcus Garvey Park Walking Tour

Potluck picnic at Morningside Park to address Manhattan Avenue corner real estate plans

Jun 10, 2011 @ 11:10

By HarlemGal
The Friends of Morningside Park will hold a potluck picnic this coming Tuesday, June 14th from 6-8 p.m. At the event, participants can ask questions about the park and the construction that is happening on the northeast corner of Manhattan Avenue and 110th Street. The developer of the property is going to be at this potluck picnic.

If you walk by that section of Harlem, it is obvious that another apartment building is going up-scooped up by a developer. I touched upon this subject back in 2009.

So if your interested in learning more about Morningside Park and upcoming real estate activity, stop by this event on June 14th. Here’s the flyer with all the info!

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Harlem featured in The Boston Globe

Jun 6, 2011 @ 8:00
By HarlemGal
Not too long ago, Harlem was profiled in  The Financial Times, the UK-based publication. Now The Boston Globe takes its turn and profiles our community in its travel section this past weekend (June 5). Jessica Allen, the reporter, spends two days in Harlem along with her husband and discovers “Harlem makes a visitor feel and taste its forward movement.”

The article highlights various experiences from listening to jazz, to eating at Amy Ruth’s and to drinking at some of our unique establishments, such as 67 Orange and bier international. However, the most notable items in this article are not necessarily about places, but crafted words about Harlem. Allen states “perhaps no other area in New York so eagerly honors its history as Harlem.” She points to our famously named streets, such as Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Furthermore, Allen goes on to say “despite the interest in what came before, these days Harlem seems utterly future-oriented.”

We couldn’t agree more with The Boston Globe! And to Jessica Allen and her husband, come back and see us (Harlem) again now!

Three adjacent lots on Harlem’s Frederick Douglass Blvd for sale

Jun 2, 2011 @ 23:57
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By HarlemGal
Ever wonder what three adjacent lots on Frederick Douglass Blvd will cost? The answer is…$4 million dollars! That’s what 2126 FDB at the corner of West 115th Street is going for, according to Tungsten Property. They apparently have come uptown to grace this building with their sign and phone number-obviously at the owners request. Whomever owns these lots is clearly ready to part with it and for a nice chunk of change. I guess this explains why the sidewalk out front has never been fixed for years. It is all beat up and creates a little pond every time it rains or a miniature ice skating rink develops when it snows. The owner probably thought why bother to fix it when I can get $4 million dollars and leave it for someone else to handle. Right?

My only hope is that whomever takes over this property does a gut renovation and leaves the shell. The shell looks like it can be restored. This part of Harlem does not need a new building from the ground up in my view. It needs investors/new developers who will come in and want to keep and maintain Harlem’s charm through its original structures. What do you think should happen to this space?

The upside to seeing this lot up for sale is FDB is clearly a happening place when it comes to commercial and residential real estate. So much has changed along this boulevard since early 2000. Maybe that’s why this blog called it “Harlem’s gold coast?”

If you want to learn all the details about how Tungsten Property is marketing this commercial space, check out their website. They outline all the specs!

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Help kickstart the ‘Changing Face of Harlem’

May 23, 2011 @ 7:30

By HarlemGal
A few years ago a good friend of mine, who is a documentary filmmaker in New York City, wanted me to meet fellow filmmaker Shawn Batey. My good friend knew I was interested in all things positive about Harlem so she said to me “come see a film rough cut about Harlem. There is this filmmaker I want you to meet, who is literally documenting the changes of Harlem. I think you should come.” And so I did. I’m excited to tell you about this documentary about Harlem!

Trailer- Changing Face of Harlem

The rough cut I saw was titled the Changing Face of Harlem. It’s been in the works for more than ten years. The Changing Face of Harlem is a film told from the voices of longtime residents, business owners, politicians, developers, and clergy about the dreams and struggles of a neighborhood. This film explains Harlem’s intricate history and how Harlem is undergoing a huge rebirth and revival just like many other urban communities of color. Changing Face of Harlem takes a critical look at how Harlem has undergone its present transformation.

When a filmmaker sets out to create a documentary especially about Harlem, it takes a lot of hard work-to say the least. That hard work leads to hundreds of hours of footage that needs to be edited. Shawn, the women behind the Changing Face of Harlem, is ready to go into the editing booth to complete her documentary on Harlem. You and I can help her get into the editing booth soon to complete her film. How? By going to Kickstarter.com. Go to Kickstarter to make a donation at various levels. It can be $15 or $1500. Shawn’s goal is to raise $5k this summer so that she can hire an editor.

I made a donation to help Shawn get into the editing booth. I hope you will join me in helping to kickstart and complete the documentary titled the Changing Face of Harlem.

To learn more about the film, go to www.changingfaceofharlem.com

You’re invited to Harlem’s Mount Morris Park Annual House Tour

May 21, 2011 @ 8:00
By HarlemGal
Did you receive the invitation from Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association regarding their 22nd Annual House Tour? I did and I am so psyched for the event! Now I am passing along for your consideration! It is Sunday, June 12th!

This is the time when one can see some of the most beautiful brownstones in New York City (for me the entire universe) that line and make up Central Harlem, also known as the Mt. Morris Park area. Remember how this area was recently praised by New York Magazine?

Here is the low down for those interested in attending:

  • 11 AM to 4 PM: Follow the Self-Guided Tour of Homes 
  • 1 PM and 3 PM: Join the Architectural Walking Tour
  • 12 Noon and 2 PM: Go Inside Historic Harlem
  • 1:30 PM: Join the Marcus Garvey Park Walking Tour

Mark your calendars and hope to see you there June 12!