The Colonnade Building in East Harlem is a one of a kind structure that has been waiting the decades for divine intervention. Originally built for the Public National Bank in the early 20th century, the building was sold in 1923 to a developer who held on to it until 1978, when it was sold to the International Gospel Helpers Church . The congregation has not met in the building within the past twenty years. The structure is now in such poor condition that it is unsafe to walk inside but the church thinks that it is in the hand of God and the money will come to restore it one day. This structure really looks like a small version of Colonnade Row on Lafayette Street or the few remaining colonnade houses in Brooklyn Heights. Read more details on the recent battle to make use of this building: LINK.
The building is at 1770 Madison on the corner of East 116th Street. Take the 6 train to 116th Street and walk east. Archival photo courtesy NYPL
The Church, the original useless social network!
ReplyDeleteWhy on earth would they just sit on something so beautiful and NEEDED in the community?
I would lovt to turn that building into a culinary education center with a roof top garden.
How can they let the building go to waste?