There seems to be a couple of striking new residents greeting pedestrians in the landmark Strivers Row neighborhood of Central Harlem. While passing by number 256 West 139th Street, just a few houses east of FDB/8th Avenue, we noticed a pretty large set of bronze lions on the prowl in the front yard. There are a lot miniature lion sculptures to be found in any brownstone neighborhood but these guys were a little more substantial. After some research, we found out that the renovated townhouse (with interior elevator and garage) was recently just rented out in March for the asking of $8,400 per month. Sounds like quite a deal. Is this what house rentals are usually going for? Photos by Ulysses
There seems to be a couple of striking new residents greeting pedestrians in the landmark Strivers Row neighborhood of Central Harlem. While passing by number 256 West 139th Street, just a few houses east of FDB/8th Avenue, we noticed a pretty large set of bronze lions on the prowl in the front yard. There are a lot miniature lion sculptures to be found in any brownstone neighborhood but these guys were a little more substantial. After some research, we found out that the renovated townhouse (with interior elevator and garage) was recently just rented out in March for the asking of $8,400 per month. Sounds like quite a deal. Is this what house rentals are usually going for? Photos by Ulysses
The lions don't make much sense...
ReplyDeleteAnd pleeeease stop the 8th Ave plugs!!! We're all just tired of it! The Strivers Row area is nowhere near the part of FDB that you're always plugging on this blog.
Unimpressive. Impressive is the guy 1 block down and 4 blocks over who had the LIVE tiger and crocodile in his Sec. 8 housing apartment. Real Harlem always keeps it real!
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:37, this is not even south harlem. FDB plugs? There's nothing in this part of town as far as new shops or retail. FDB goes all the way up to Washington Heights. Stop being so insecure.
ReplyDelete..."just a few houses east of FDB/8th Avenue"
ReplyDeleteGreat...now I know the exact location. So what?
ReplyDeletethe exact location is,"256 West 139th Street".
ReplyDelete>> the exact location is,"256 West 139th Street".
ReplyDeleteMost of us don't automatically know where this is, so it's quite helpful to say where the cross streets are. When I jump in a cab, I usually don't give an address, I give the cross streets. Furthermore, I'm sure Ulysses is quite aware that this is a good mile North of the heart of the FDB development in South Harlem.
Personally, I think Ulysses is quite unbiased in his postings and they cover all of Harlem - he has recently covered the high bridge, several townhouses in Hamilton Heights or Washington Heights, horse stables on 150th street, and cultural instituions ranging from the Apollo to Jazz to various Harlem schools of Art and Music. Yes, more of the restaurant/store opening postings are probably focused on FDB - but the reality is that more retail has opened there (although Lenox appears to be gaining steam).
Ulysses describes himself as living in a "a 1907 'French flat,' an Edwardian era middle-class apartment" so my guess is he doesn't actually live on FDB given that the vast majority of that is new condos.
In my opinion, this blog does the best job covering Harlem of all the blogs out there - not just the cliched "SoHa" but the architecture, cultural institutions, and retail of Greater Harlem. Thanks to him for doing this and encouraging dialogue!
Great story, I’m always pleased to see Harlem home owners take pride in their homes and especially in a creative way like these majestic lions. Thanks Ulysses for bringing this to our attention.
ReplyDelete11:52am - So you actually like the lions? I'm interested in your view point...how do the lions work for you?
ReplyDeleteTo me the lions seem too large and out of place....just my two cents though.
I think the lions are kind of cool. I thought if you were on a landmarked block you couldn't do stuff like this though??
ReplyDeleteThey are certainly large and historically incorrect for a Manhattan row house, but guarding stone lions are often used at building entrances, especially in Asia, so these lions are not so out of place protecting this building. Also they are fairly life like and not cartoonish in appearance adding a bold and stylish point of interest to this building.
ReplyDeleteMaybe because they look historically accurate?
ReplyDeleteThe lions are great! Love walking around Harlem and finding things like this.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to have a little surprise. I like them, even if they don't fit in perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThere is another set of lions on Riverside and 143rdish...much smaller but their noses are always shiny...lot's of people like them and rub them for good luck, I assume ?!
And isn't there another big one on 145th between Riverside and B'way...must be a trend!
If so many people are unhappy with this blog go start your own, it's free. I personally think this blog covers all of Harlem and appreciate Ulysses hard work.Go to blogspot.com and you can cover what ever floats your boat.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like we've all moved on already....(2:34pm) catch-up!
ReplyDeleteNow, now...play nice. Tough crowd for a Monday!
ReplyDeleteGrant you, these lions are not historically correct and way too big and out of context and all that but DAYUM! How cool!
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, 2:48, is a tough room today.
walked by them the other day and thought they were cool looking. didn't realize they were new.
ReplyDeleteThese lion statues remind me of ones you might often see guarding houses in Howard Beach Queens, Bay Ridge Brooklyn or the South Shore of Staten Island.
ReplyDeleteHave to disagree. These look like expensive antiques.
ReplyDeleteThe lions are tacky and completely inappropriate. If I was their neighbor, I would see what landmarks had to say about them. They may be expensive, but money doesn't necessarily buy good taste.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I believe Landmarks is about to speak, and the Lions are about to be set free. Poor things, they are probably wondering how they ended up in front of that little house, I hear they are taking their oversized lamps along with them, NEW LOCATION - OCEAN PARKWAY IN BROOKLYN.
ReplyDeleteEnough with these awful lions, they are not antique, they are not bronze (try the penny test), they are disgusting and for the person who said they guard the mansions in Asia,,,Ah 256 is no NO MANSION AND WE ARE NOT IN ASIA, to all those who love them bring a truck and move them to your block before Landmarks makes the tenant bring them inside around a litter box where they belong , or as you know they do have 7 bathrooms, they can spare one for each Lion, that would be nice,but spare the neighbors this rediculouse imposition. The owner should be writing letters of apology to all the neighbors, but I guess they would rather write checks to Landmarks.
ReplyDelete