☞ DWELL: Number 7: Strivers Row

Harlem is a large part of Manhattan that changes block by block so we have put together a list of the best micro-nabes in Harlem based on location, architecture, transportation and local amenities.  This is our own opinion based on reporting on the neighborhood for a few years and a new post will be made each day until the number one spot has been revealed.

No. 7: Strivers Row,  Central Harlem, West 138th and West 139th Street between ACP/7th and FDB/8th Avenue.  Like Sugar Hill, Strivers Row has all of the architectural beauty going for it and the landmark Central Harlem blocks will charm anyone who has never stepped foot on the legendary grounds. Many of these architecturally intact townhouses in this neighborhood were the homes of some of Harlem's greatest jazz musicians back in the Renaissance years when the surrounding avenues were the center of culture.  With that said, those decades have passed and some of the great establishments nearby no longer exist.  The Renaissance Ballroom is a gutted shell that sits on the east end while many of the storefronts on the west end are abandoned.

If more better retail arrives in the surrounding blocks or if Strivers Row was closer to an express subway stop, it would be higher on our list.  This might not eventually matter at all to residents of Strivers Row since most of the townhouses have a garage in the back with their own private backstreet where horse-drawn carriages used to traverse a century ago.

☞ WALK: The Strivers Art Circuit Tour 2011

Friday, October 7th, 6:00PM, HARLEM Arts Alliance will host an opening reception forthe Strivers Art Circuit Tour at The Strivers Garden Gallery, located at 300 West 135 Street at Frederick Douglass Boulevard.

The Strivers Art Circuit Tour is a self-guided walking tour of Harlem art venues scheduled to take place on Saturday October 8th and Sunday October 9th, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM. As the finale to Harlem Arts Advocacy Week events, the tour highlights 12 Harlem art studios, galleries and other venues, featuring the artwork of over 20 artists working in a variety of mediums, from 133rd to 144th Streets, surrounding the famed Strivers Row Historic District of Harlem. The reception and tour are free and open to the public but must RSVP here: LINK

☞ SEE: A Great Day on Strivers Row

The first annual Strivers Row House Tour was a great success this past weekend the landmark community made sure that all guests received some good old Harlem hospitality.  Strivers Row on 138th and 139th Street in Central Harlem has some of the most beautiful architecture in all of New York City but have rarely been shown to the public until now.

Some of the highlights included a personal walking tour by notable Harlem historian Michael Henry Adams (who was dressed up the for occasion in his distinct style), live jazz at one of the homes on the tour and some  Sugar Hill Ale for all to try out.  Mount Morris Park has consistently had a great yearly house tours but Strivers Row may now possibly be the other annual home event to watch out for in the future.

NUMBER 7: STRIVERS ROW

Our popular HB series that ranks the top 10 uptown micro-nabes is back for the best neighborhood countdown of 2016.  Harlem is a large part of Manhattan that changes block by block so we have put together a list of the best micro-nabes based on location, architecture, transportation, local amenities along with record closing prices when applicable. This is our own opinion based on reporting on the neighborhood for a few years and a new post will be made each day until the number one spot has been revealed.

No. 7: Strivers Row, Central Harlem, West 138th and West 139th Street between ACP/7th and FDB/8th Avenue. Strivers Row remains at the same position this year since sales have somewhat plateaued.  A closing for just over $3 million was set back in 2015 and we definitely like the fact that these landmark homes have private garages out back.  Once considered pretty isolated from notable amenities, the area around the historic neighborhood has now seen the arrival of better businesses such as Ponty Bistro, Harlem Nights, ACP Coffee, Belle and the Edge which are all in short walking distance.  St. Nicholas park is also nearby and a supermarket will arrive at a new construction just a couple of blocks north by early 2017.  Abandoned sites such as the Renaissance Ballroom on the east side or the shell apartment complex on the west end are now under development so we expect Strivers Row to eventually be higher on the list this time next year.

DWELL: RECORD CONTRACT AT STRIVERS ROW

Harlem Bespoke:  A record sale last year at Strivers Row for $4 million appeared to be an outlier until recently.   Now a gut renovated single-family home at 250 West 139th Street has a contract out based on a $4.25 million asking set in June. This 20-foot-wide landmark townhouse located between 7th and 8th Avenue has a lot of modern upgrades including an elevator which is quite unique.  Historic Strivers Row also has garages out back with a private driveway so this might also be one of the major selling points.  The other amenity that also stands out is that even though the garage space takes away from the backyard garden, most of the Strivers Row buildings have since constructed outdoor terrace space on top of those aforementioned added structures.  More details and photos can be found on the broker site: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2019

NUMBER 7: STRIVERS ROW

Our popular HB series that ranks the top 10 uptown micro-nabes is back for the best neighborhood countdown of 2015.  Harlem is a large part of Manhattan that changes block by block so we have put together a list of the best micro-nabes based on location, architecture, transportation, local amenities along with record closing prices when applicable. This is our own opinion based on reporting on the neighborhood for a few years and a new post will be made each day until the number one spot has been revealed.

No. 7: Strivers Row, Central Harlem, West 138th and West 139th Street between ACP/7th and FDB/8th Avenue.  Strivers row falls back one position this year because of record closings elsewhere but has hit a good number in 2015.  A sale just over $3 million makes the landmark blocks one to watch out for as home buyers really start to recognize the value of these breathtaking blocks with gated private parking out back.  Once considered pretty isolated from notable amenities, the area around the historic neighborhood has now seen the arrival of better businesses such as Ponty Bistro, Harlem Nights, Tuscan Kitchen  and popular cafes like the Edge which are all in short walking distance.  St. Nicholas park is also nearby and a supermarket will arrive at a new construction just a couple of blocks north by the end of 2016.  Abandoned sites such as the Renaissance Ballroom on the east side or the shell apartment complex on the west end are now under development so we expect Strivers Row to eventually be higher on the list in the coming years.

ARCHITECTURE: THE GATES OF STRIVERS ROW

The side streets of Strivers Row on 138th or 139th Street have the original historic gates intact but the ones facing 8th avenue look like they have installed as replacements in a more recent decade.  Now a new market-rate development called Strivers Gateway has arrived on the Fredrick Douglass Boulevard bookend buildings of the landmark block which has posted a rendering of the restored gate at the main entrance. Since the moniker alludes to the aforementioned portals, then it would be only natural to have them fixed up appropriately with the original columns replicated back in place.  This part of the block has been in need of repair for quite some time and hopefully the details will be more historically accurate when all of the exterior work finishes up.  More details on Strivers Gateway can be found in our past post: LINK

SHOP: SUPERMARKET AT STRIVERS PLAZA

Strivers Plaza at the 275 West 140th Street has finished up and the affordable new construction now has a new commercial anchor. We mentioned that a supermarket will finally arrived to this block of Central Harlem and now signage has been officially installed out front.  Check out the current photo after the jump.

DRINK: A NIGHT OUT AT ALIBI ON STRIVERS ROW

Alibi on 7th Avenue by 139th Street has just been open for a month now and we were able to drop by for a quick drink this past weekend.  Many have been wondering if the newcomer on Strivers row is a gay establishment and the rainbow flag on the door confirms it somewhat.  With that said, the polished parlor really caters to a mixed crowd that is looking for a more grownup spot to hang out and is worth checking out.

SEE: THE STRIVERS ROW HOUSE TOUR 2014

The 2nd Annual Strivers Row House Tour, Sunday, October 5th, starting at 11:00AM. Harlem's Strivers’ Row, historically known for its elegant architecture and residents – once home to prominent, wealthy black performers, artists and professionals is opening eight of its distinctive residences and four historic churches for self-guided and guided tours on Sunday October 5, 2014. The tour will mark the second time the two-block area of stately, landmark townhouses on West 138th and West 139th Streets between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (Seventh Avenue) and Frederick Douglass Boulevard (Eighth Avenue) have been open to the public for touring.  More details and advance tickets can be purchased on the event site: LINK

☞ ARCHITECTURE: Strivers' Row

Originally touted as the King Model Houses, these 19th century boutique buildings on 138th and 139th Streets soon became the sign of success for the emerging African-American middle class at the turn of the century.  Developer David King hired prominent architectural firm McKim, Mead and White to build the matching row houses on 139th Street from 1883-1884.  The firm was equivalent to today's starchitects such as Frank Gehry, and they had planned to attract wealthy, white new money uptown (developers never change).  What did happen was a collapse in the real estate market so the houses sat empty for years. Finally, in the early 20th century, the neighborhood changed in demographics and the houses sold to up-and-coming African-American "strivers," who finally made the American dream by owning these luxury houses with their own carriage yards and private gardens.  Strivers' Row is in Central Harlem with Hamilton Heights bordering it on the northwest side. 138th and 139th Streets between 7th and 8th Avenues (Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Boulevard).

SEE: THE STRIVERS ROW HOUSE TOUR THIS WEEKEND

The 2nd Annual Strivers Row House Tour, Sunday, October 5th, starting at 11:00AM. Harlem's Strivers’ Row, historically known for its elegant architecture and residents – once home to prominent, wealthy black performers, artists and professionals is opening eight of its distinctive residences and four historic churches for self-guided and guided tours on Sunday October 5th, 2014. The tour will mark the second time the two-block area of stately, landmark townhouses on West 138th and West 139th Streets between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (Seventh Avenue) and Frederick Douglass Boulevard (Eighth Avenue) have been open to the public for touring.  More details and advance tickets can be purchased on the event site: LINK

NUMBER 9: STRIVERS ROW

Our popular HB series that ranks the top 10 uptown micro-nabes is back for the best neighborhood countdown of 2017.  Harlem is a large part of Manhattan that changes block by block so we have put together a list of the best micro-nabes based on location, architecture, transportation, local amenities along with record closing prices when applicable. This is our own opinion based on reporting on the neighborhood for a few years and a new post will be made each day until the number one spot has been revealed.

No. 9: Strivers Row, Central Harlem, West 138th and West 139th Street between ACP/7th and FDB/8th Avenue. Strivers Row drops a couple of position this year since sales have somewhat plateaued.  A closing for just over $3 million was set back in 2015 and houses are being marketed for about a million more this year but no record closing have been made as of yet.  We definitely like the fact that these landmark homes have private garages out back but those looking for the traditional rear garden space might be a little dissappointed.  Once considered pretty isolated from notable amenities, the area around the historic neighborhood has now seen the arrival of better businesses such as Ponty Bistro, Harlem Nights, ACP Coffee, Belle, Alibi and The Edge which are all in short walking distance.  St. Nicholas park is also nearby and a new supermarket just opened a couple of blocks north on FDB.  The Renny development on the 7th Avenue side of the block will also ad more foot traffic to the neighborhood in the coming months: LINK

DWELL: 218 WEST 139TH STREET OFF MARKET

Harlem Bespoke:  The landmark Strivers Row townhouse at 218 West 139th Street went up on the market last summer for $4.175 million, then was eventually lowered to $3.65 million by the end of November 2018 and has been removed from the market since early spring of this year. As previously mentioned, this 2-family is actually a rare corner address that is 20 foot wide and has a lot of original details within.  The back yard also has an area for parking for those who have desire for such amenities but can just also be used as an outdoor space.  Strivers Row is one of the most charming historic districts in Harlem and a must-see for any buyer that is looking around uptown but the market has been moving slower these days.  More details on Strivers Row can be found in our past post: LINK

HarlemBespoke. com 2019

☞ REMEMBER: Strivers Row circa 1970

An archival photo taken after the Depression years shows Strivers Row at West 138th Street with mid century vehicles on the street but the buildings on the block itself are all still unchanged.  The neighborhood located between ACP/7th Avenue and FDB/8th Avenue has always been recognized for its architectural significance and each house is now designated a New York City Landmark. The lower photo shows the block today and how many modern homeowners have since decorated the townhouses built back in the early 1890s.

North side of unidentified block of Strivers Row, ca 1970 via the digital collection at the Museum of the City of New York

☞ SEE: The First Annual Strivers Row Home Tour

First Annual Historic Strivers Row Tour, Sunday, October 20, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, West 138th and 139th Street between ACP/7th and FDB/9th Avenue.  The Strivers Row landmark neighborhood is rarely open to the public but now folks can check out the magnificent homes at the first annual house tour.  Tickets are $25 and may be purchased in advance on the official website: LINK

Below is the official schedule of this historic event in Central Harlem:

11:00AM to 4:00PM: Follow the Self-Guided Tour of Stately Striver's Row Homes at your leisure. Visit 8 or more venues including inside brownstone homes, urban live/work apartments and landmark churches.

11:30PM and 2:00PM: Attend our Seeing Striver's Row: A Private View! with renowned historian Harlem Lost and Found author, Michael Henry Adams. You'll examine three extraordinary houses in the King Model Houses Historic District which are not included on the regular tour and ordinarily are strictly private.

1:00PM and 3:00PM: Join the Architectural Walking Tour: explore this historic neighborhood's rich exterior architectural detail and history.

REVIVE: ACTIVITY AT STRIVERS ROW COMMERCIAL SHOP

A Bespoke tip came in that there has been some activity at the abandoned commercial spaces on the west end of Strivers Row.  This commercial block on FDB between 138th and 139th Street is part of the Landmark Strivers Row buildings but for some reason have not been developed with better businesses for many decades.  Now a demolition crew is on site and has been gutting out one of the interiors.  The neighbors are apparently now keeping their fingers crossed that this portends better things to come. Any other tips out there on what's going into the new space?

☞ DWELL: Record Contract at Strivers Row

The highest priced Strivers Row house located at 221 West 138th Street now has a contract out.  This landmark building has been on the market for a little over two months for the initial asking of $2.495 million and the rich original details within the interior might have helped sell this home built by architects Bruce Price and Clarence S. Luce over a century ago.  Each of these Central Harlem homes have a gated driveway along with a garage in the back and the Strivers Row District was Number 7 on our Best Harlem Block list for 2013: LINK

More details and photos on 221 West 138th Street can be found on Streeteasy: LINK

RENT: STRIVERS GATEWAY ARRIVES ON MARKET

The bookend buildings on the 8th Avenue end of Strivers Row now appears to be ready to rent out even though the facade still looks like it could be polished up a little.   Tips have come in that 272 West 139th Street will now be called Strivers Gateway and a listing has already been posted on Streeteasy for a 2-bedroom going for $2,900 a month.  As many as 36 apartments are available between the two buildings but the interiors have absolutely no prewar details to make them slightly interesting. More information and photos can be found on Streeteasy: LINK

INTRODUCING: KEY FOOD ON 7TH AVENUE

Harlem Bespoke:  The Key Foods at the corner of 140th Street and 7th Avenue is fully up and running over at Strivers Plaza.  Signage had gone up back in April but was mysteriously removed over the summer which caused quite a bit of concern.  We took a quick look inside last week and really appreciated the newness of the retail space in Central Harlem.  This block just north of Strivers Row really needed a supermarket close by and that amenity has finally arrived.  More on Strivers Plaza can be found in our past post: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2017