Tag Archives: real estate

Rent spikes in Harlem

Posted on July 9, 2011 | 2 comments

Harlem is a Nike symbol or an arrow shooting straight up on a graph when it comes to the rental market for apartments. According to The Wall Street Journal, Harlem, along with the Financial District, share a statistic at the moment being that they are seeing the largest rent increases during the last year. Rental prices in both of these Manhattan areas are up more than 15 percent year-over-year.

The article states “the average Harlem apartment rent was $2,055 a month during the second quarter, up $333 from a year earlier. These rent averages include dwellings of all sizes – studios, as well as one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.”

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Posted in Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate

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‘Secret Agent’ buys in Harlem

Posted on July 7, 2011 | 2 comments

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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Posted in business, Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, politics, real estate

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

Posted on July 7, 2011 | 2 comments

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!

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Posted in business, Community, Harlem, Lenox Avenue, real estate

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Harlem featured in UK’s Financial Times

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

May 2, 2011 @ 7:40
By HarlemGal
I always say “one can’t swing a bat lately without hitting the word “Harlem.” The Financial Times, the UK-based business paper, has now featured Harlem in their April 30 House and Home edition. Not too long the FT featured Red Rooster as well. This article quickly goes over Harlem’s rich history, mentions how crime is basically much better throughout New York City especially Harlem in the last ten years,and Harlem’s upswing in major change began back in 2004/2005. The article goes on to interview two homebuyers, one who bought a brownstone for under $1 million and the other who purchased a penthouse apartment on Frederick Douglass Blvd. Both homeowners talked about how much space one could receive in a home in Harlem and within budget. However, one homeowner stressed why they came to Harlem: “I like the sense of diversity I’ve found here.”

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Posted in art and culture, business, Community, education, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurants

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The Gateway Condominium in Harlem completely visible, a tri-colored building appears

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Nov 21, 2010 @ 13:16
By HarlemGal
2098 Frederick Douglass Blvd, where The Gateway Condo resides, is completely visible to the public now after shedding its entire scaffolding. The big heavy metal frame came down this past Friday (November 19) after several years being up to support the construction of the second phase of the condo project. Pedestrians can immediately see how The Gateway Condo stands 11 stories tall with a tri-color look.

I went to StreetEasy.com to see what apartments were on the market in The Gateway Condo. Streeteasy has about five active listings at the moment. There has to be more soon because the center structure appears to have several apartments inside. Some with unobstructed views of Central Park North, West Harlem, and East Harlem. In my view, it would be nice to have one of those apartments on the 10th or 11th floor with views of more than one park. Ahh. If only, we all had little gold mines!

Take a look for yourself. Walk by this block if you get a chance, especially now with the Fall weather being so gorgeous. See how FDB, in this particular block, looks completely different with the scaffolding down! I like it. The sidewalk is nice and wide! I am sure Society Cafe is pleased as well!

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Posted in Community, Harlem, New York City, NYC, real estate

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UPDATE: 371-373 Manhattan Avenue in Harlem back on the market

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Oct 21, 2010 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal

Okay…so the church located at 371-373 Manhattan Avenue, which we first told you about in 2009, is back on the market for around the same price it was listed in the first business quarter of 2010. But what’s confusing is that some are reporting/blogging that the church in South Harlem  is represented by Corcoran. Hmm. My online research shows that this property is with Prudential Douglass Elliman and that the broker is Brian Phillips, who I believe is based right here in Harlem.  I don’t think Corcoran is involved any more. Maybe Brian will  step forward and tell us if Prudential DE has taken the lead with the property?

There is something else worth mentioning about this property. Back in April, we blogged about how the mosque on Frederick Douglass Blvd between 115th and 116th Street was moving to 371-373 Manhattan Avenue. We now know that deal fell through. However, a reader left us a message saying they were looking at an apartment in The Livmor, one overlooking the mosque, and that the realtor commented the mosque was sold…”over a month ago.” If that is in fact true, we have questions: where is the congregation of the mosque going, who bought the space at 2136 Frederick Douglass Blvd and what is going to be built there? Answers anyone!

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Posted in Harlem, real estate

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The Douglass in Harlem participates in open house wine tasting, Bebenoir turns three

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Oct 15, 2010 @ 13:10
By HarlemGal
Harlem happenings for this weekend-October 16th and 17th! Check them out-if it interests you! Have a great weekend!

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Posted in Events, Harlem, real estate, shopping

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Harlem is booming says NY Times supplement

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Oct 13, 2010 @ 13:45


By HarlemGal
Did anyone see the supplement in The New York Times last week featuring the new condo developments in Harlem? It mentions The Livmor, Ellington on the Park, 2280 Frederick Douglass, and The Apex inside The Aloft Hotel.
I know these supplements can be a bit cheesy and there is no editorial involvement. However, in this particular case I want to say the banner rings true for me as well as the quote from Arthur Barnes of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. "I think it is better to define the current phase of development in Harlem as a reawakening." Nicely said Mr. Barnes!
I have only seen hardcopies of this supplement. No luck finding an electronic version. If anyone has an electronic copy, feel free to share!

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Posted in art and culture, business, Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate

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220 Saint Nicholas in Harlem looking to sell apartments in Spring 2011

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Sep 14, 2010 @ 7:35

By HarlemGal
Construction around 220 Saint Nicholas Condominiums remains the same. The building has most of its scaffolding down leaving the structure partially visible to the public, which led me to wonder if they are getting ready to market these apartments. They are not! 220 St. Nicholas is hoping to start selling in the Spring of 2011. That’s not too far off if you’re looking for a full floor, 1500 square foot apartment in Manhattan!

220 St. Nicholas is offering full floor apartments with the exception of floors seven and eight, which are two bedrooms, two baths. Whomever buys on those floors has to share a floor and pay around 650 to 700k! Not bad of a price given these floors will have either a balcony or terrace. According to the 220 St. Nicholas website, all apartments will have either a balcony or terrace. I think that is an interesting aspect to this building given there are unblocked views of Harlem in that area…for now. Plus most of the new developments around Harlem do not offer outdoor space with every apartment. It’s one or the other.

So if you’re in the market for a full floor apartment with a terrace or balcony in Manhattan near Harlem’s up and coming corridor, Frederick Douglass Blvd., then this new development might be the place for you!

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Real estate broker Todd Stevens creatively showcases Harlem townhouses sold

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Sep 5, 2010 @ 12:41
By HarlemGal

Is Todd Stevens the only Prudential Douglass Elliman real estate broker successfully selling townhouses in Harlem? One might think so after seeing this video found through Matrix. Practically every street address Stevens highlights in his video is in Harlem – give or take one or two addresses. If it is in fact true that he single-handedly sold all these properties in Harlem, and it appears to be several dozen, I have to say to Todd Stevens, “love the video, congrats, and continued success!”

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