☞ REMEMBER: 110th and 8th Avenue circa 1902

A photo from 1902 shows the dramatic curve of the 8th Avenue elevated train as it rounded 110th Street by Central Park.  This was apparently one of the highest points for the above ground line that would be dismantled within 40 years and one can see the towering station that used to mark the corner lot.  At this point in time, the city had decided to reduce the noise of the train lines and subway tunnels would become the standard for city dwellers.  The lower photos shows the new condo rising on this corner of Manhattan Avenue today.

Archival image courtesy the Museum of the City of New York

☞ BESPOKE: Best Harlem Coffee Shop 2013

As far as new coffee shops go, the second location of Il Caffe Latte at 458 West 145th Street gets our vote for 2013.  This townhouse eatery has two levels open now in an architecturally unique space that mixes old custome woodwork with updated but contextual finishes.  We actually like the space better than the location in the Mount Morris Park Historic District and somehow the food has improved also. Since there is not much in better restaurant offerings in the immediate area, Il Caffe Latte 145th tends to also bring people together.  Folks dining in during the day or evening hours will often find themselves chatting it up with the total strangers and meeting new neighbors.

☞ DWELL: A Harlem Townhouse for Three Million

The record number this year for Harlem townhouses will be in the $3 million range and only two three properties have ever achieved this number post recession.  Most modest brownstones are going for under the $2 million range while some of the better blocks are asking for an amount somewhat north of that figure.  Then there are the true standouts that have reached the $3 million mark:

MORINGINSIDE PARK CORRIDOR - No. 357 West 121st Street at $3 million.  At 16 foot in width, this house makes up for lack of space by being on a great block close to everything in this desirable South Harlem corridor by Morningside Park.  The little charmer sold last year: LINK

MORNINGSIDE PARK CORRIDOR: No. 369 West 120th Street at $3 million.  Apparently another brownstone by Morningside Park has sold for the magic $3 million mark in June. We do not like the finishes for the kitchen and bath for this one but there are a lot of original details to be found: LINK

CENTRAL HARLEM - No. 2036 Fifth Avenue for $3.6 million.  This 2013 sale made headlines since actor Neil Patrick Harris made this the highest priced brownstone purchase of the year.  The property is on the larger side and has all of the higher end finishes that one would expect along with restored original details: LINK

☞ INTRODUCING: Fara Arriving on Lenox

Les Ambassade's Lenox Avenue Location at 127th Street presumedly was expanding its space but now another restaurant name has appeared.  We are not sure if the entire two spaces will now become Fara or just two separate businesses.  Does anyone have other details on this development?

☞ QUESTION: Ask Harlem Bespoke

If any readers out there have a question they would like to throw out to the Bespoke audience on neighborhood organizations, restoration services, property search or history, just send them over and we can possibly have it written up as a future post: HarlemBespoke@gmail.com