Tag Archives: real estate

UPDATE:Lowdown on East Harlem’s Costco

Nov 9, 2009 @ 14:29

Update: We just learned this morning from The Daily News that Costco will be selling a bevy of high end goods, such as Cartier watches for a whopping $15,000. Wow!

By HarlemGal
We decided to follow up with our contact at Costco to double confirm they are moving forward with their plans to open on November 12 in East River Plaza. While we had their attention, we requested additional details. Here’s the skinny on Costco in East Harlem:

They are planning to open Thursday at 8:00 AM.

Parking is available at the East River Plaza and it’s $4.00 for the first two hours. Ouch! That’s expensive.

The building is 109,000 square feet. It is actually much smaller than their typical 148,000 square foot facility. As we all know as New Yorkers, location and the amount of space is prime!!! So the fact that this space is smaller should not be a surprise.

Costco is offering a normal selection of Food & Sundries items. However, they are offering a slightly reduced selection of areas such as Hardware, Automotive, Sporting Goods and Housewares. Again as Harlemites, where would we put all this stuff, like hardware? Unless Costco is offering storage!

At this location, Costco will have an expanded selection of Meat, Bakery, Deli and Produce. Hmm, let’s see if any of these areas feature local products.

And last, We inquired about their projections on attendance and revenue. Costco rep replied “I would hope and expect it will be very busy from opening until Christmas…”

On that note, let’s wait and see!

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New construction underway in Harlem

Sep 28, 2009 @ 7:35
By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

In June, we posted about how we saw early signs of new construction starting, i.e. the big drill. Well, it looks like it’s official. At 2080 Frederick Douglass Blvd, between 112th and 113th Streets, the permit signs are up and stapled to the plywood! If it’s condos they are building here, it’s a great location in my view.  This lot is two two blocks away from Central Park North and one block from Morningside Heights Park.  Can’t get more green than that – unless they green the roof in the final construction.

Harlem lots are becoming a thing of the past!

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

The New York Times features Central Harlem

Aug 7, 2009 @ 8:53
By HarlemGal
I have been living in Central Harlem for about five years now and when I see a newspaper feature my community I get very excited. I immediately share these types of clips with my family back in the Southwest or friends in Washington, D.C or abroad…and now with you to say “hey, take a look at my home/community in this publication. This is where I live with so many different and interesting people. And I am proud to be a Harlemite.” Enjoy and cheers!

Central Harlem Featured in The NY Times

Big drill translates to future Harlem condo?

Jun 21, 2009 @ 16:15
By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

I was walking down Frederick Douglass Blvd recently and low and behold, what did I see? I saw a big drill in one of the empty lots we posted about a few weeks back. Generally when there is a drill like the one in the photo that means a developer or real estate company is preparing for some type of construction. I asked the men on site and they said a condo is going up!  If anyone knows the exact  lowdown, please tell us.  Other than that, there goes another Harlem lot…

Another Harlem church siding with the real estate gods?

May 17, 2009 @ 2:08
By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

Okay….what’s up with the church on Manhattan Ave between 115th and 116th Street? It appears that this place of worship has decided – by choice I hope – to side with the real estate gods.  They have a for sale sign out in front!  From my understanding, this place of worship is not the first to deal in real estate and probably will not be the last.  St. John the Divine sold part of their property to developers who built the Avalon on Morningside Heights Park and the building going up on the northwest corner of 115th Street and Fredrick Douglass Blvd is rumored to have a church inside the new condo once its complete. With all these religious organizations dabbling in real estate, I guess its a positive attribution toward Harlem from the man upstairs…in sky!

Last of the Harlem Lots

May 5, 2009 @ 1:40
By HarlemGal

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife (110th Street & Manhattan Avenue)

When I first moved to Harlem a few years back there were a ton of empty/abandon lots.  I am finding lately that these lots are now becoming extinct and there are only a few left – at least in Central Harlem. The last of the Harlem lots are within a one mile radius.

There is the lot on the corner 110th Street and Manhattan Avenue. There was a building there for years-now its an empty lot. Head east on 110th Street making a left onto Frederick Douglass Boulevard and there is another empty lot between 112th Street and 113th. Keep going down FDB and there is an another abandon lot at 117th Street.

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife (FDB btw 112th & 113th St.)

Why am I focused on these empty lots? Simple. I believe these lots won’t stay empty for long. They will face the same destiny as the space on 114th Street & FDB, 115th & FDB, or 122nd & FDB.  To my knowledge, all of the new construction mentioned were previously abandoned lots. Now we can speculate forever on what’s going to happen with these new buildings whether they will go condo, rental or vacant, but the truth of the matter is space does not last long especially when its located near two wonderful parks, such as Central Park North and Morningside Heights Park. What I see every day on my way to work: Harlem’s structural landscape continues to change even during the most volatile of times. I believe the old adage applies to these empty lots: “take a picture, it last longer.”

HarlemCondoLife (115th & FDB)

HarlemCondoLife (115th & FDB)

HarlemCondoLife (122nd & FDB)

HarlemCondoLife (122nd & FDB)

HarlemCondoLife (114th & FDB)

HarlemCondoLife (114th & FDB)

Another notable person buys in Harlem

Feb 17, 2009 @ 11:00
By HarlemGal

zimmer2There  are several well-known/famous people that own and live in Harlem, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Maya Angelou or Marcia Gay Harden. Now to add to that list is Darynn J. Zimmer, an award-winning soprano singer. Recent reports say she purchased a condo at 1200 Fifth Avenue in East Harlem for more than $1 million.  Not bad.  Welcome to Harlem Ms. Zimmer!

Aqueduct Court in Harlem’s Hamilton Heights

Feb 4, 2009 @ 12:11
By HarlemGal
I search a lot of various sites about my Harlem community both for play and work. I stumbled across what I think is an extremely different real estate site and I wanted to share it with you: www.aqueductcourt.com. Check it out!

Is this the coolest or what? They make Harlem’s Hamilton Heights seem like one might be moving to Harry Potter land or Lord of the Rings! So cool in my view! What do you think?

Harlem Condo Alert: The Alycia Completely Sold?

Jan 27, 2009 @ 0:30

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal,
I walk down 114th Street between Frederick Douglass and Manhattan Avenue all the time heading to Morningside Heights Park. When you take this walk, you see construction every where in this area. Just the other day I noticed the netting/scaffolding all over one particular lot was now down and the new structure donned a big banner with the words The Alycia. I checked out their website and according to The Alycia, this place will be condos with all the trimmings of a new home.  The site also claims all units are SOLD, which is quite impressive given current market conditions. Maybe that explains when I walked by the other day, the big banner existed no more.

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife

We’re not surprised folks purchased condos in this area and plan to move to Central Harlem. After all, HarlemCondoLife lives and blogs in Harlem. My only lingering question is when were these units sold – a year or six months ago?  We called the real estate company representing this building for further details.  No word yet. However, if you know something before or if they get back to us, please chime in.

Senior fellow said look to Harlem for value and stability

Dec 1, 2008 @ 11:31

img_0014In New York Magazine recently there was an article titled “Can this market be saved?” and Julia Vitullo-Martin, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and director of the Center for Rethinking Development, made a positive statement about Harlem.  When asked where to look for value and stability, Vitullo-Martin said “I would go for Harlem.” HarlemCondoLife agrees!