The grand, well-protected cast iron building of Soho are in such great shape in comparison to the few that remain in Harlem. Cast iron was used in the mid 19th century to replace traditional stone for many of the larger buildings facades. Often, in most cast iron designs, neoclassical columns and entablatures frame windows and portals that most folks just assume were made of natural stone. We have always noticed this particular building on 3rd Avenue, right off of East 125th Street (photo). The tall windows and exterior columns with the greek pediment on top is a dead give away to the typical cast iron look. We were not around Soho in the 1970's or early 1980's but would imagine that the look of the former, cast iron facade department stores that line much of central 125th Street would give a modern viewer a perspective on what downtown New York City looked like in a more gritty decade. Most of them are boarded up and used as warehouse or just have not been well maintained. If Soho is a testament of the commercial viability of this type of neighborhood, then the city should maybe focus on restoration subsidies instead of rezoning for high rise development. Photo by Ulysses
I also have noticed this beautiful building often and admired its huge windows supported by the cast iron façade that has survived from an earlier time. The current occupants are from another period of Harlem’s history being what appears to be many substance abusers attracting police activity and much noise and disturbance to this corner. I hope is this building to be one day renovated providing beautiful sunlit apartments and much relief for the neighbors.
ReplyDeleteEast Harlem reminds us of the East Village in the 1980's and early 1990's. With more affluent and middle class townhouses in the West Village, the east side had its share of people living under the radar. Today, the affluence in West Harlem is very pronounce, especially as one heads toward Columbia Universtity, while East Harlem is just touching the tip of its revival.
ReplyDeleteAgreed with your East West village comparison, and one could generalize and say Harlem’s most changed area is the South West corner of Harlem, from here improvements have radiated out. East Harlem being far from this epicenter of improvement has some catching up to do. I would also note the brownstone cobbled streets off East Harlem’s Pleasant Avenue are stunning and worth visiting.
ReplyDeletePleasant Avenue is really an oasis of East Harlem's past. The thing that is really disturbing is the huge, above-ground parking lot that is taking over the eastern boarders. Many folks embrace the idea of having the big name retailers arrive but they don't really think about how its presence might ruin the neighborhood in the future. If this was any other neighborhood in lower Manhattan, they would make them dig underground garages so that the neighborhood would not be interrupted. Yet again, East Harlem gets the short end of the stick in the sensible city planning. Yes, it cost more to achieve but this neighborhood has been short changed for decades.
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