The Conway store on the corner of West 116th and Lenox houses a modest business in a building with a distinct past. Formerly the Bernheimer department store, the Beaux Arts style building is a handsomely proportioned two floors with the only tell-tale sign of its past above the side entrance. The front cornices are missing on the corner section of the facade but the 116th street side of the building still has a section left. As far as the interior is concerned, it's all drop ceiling, florescent lights and boxed in columns. We kind of wonder if the original tin ceiling, plasterwork and Corinthian columns could be underneath all of the bland modern finishes. The amazing thing about the aesthetics of the time is that even if the department store sold moderate price merchandise, the interiors would still have marble entrances, mosaic floors and detailed ceilings. Often included would be a luxurious dining area instead of the typical food courts that one would find in today's retail outlets. One of today's classic Harlem eateries, Amy Ruth's, is actually located at the western most end of the building's 116th street side. The 2,3 express stop at 116th sits directly across the street from this building, so it must have been a great destination point in the early 20th century. Photos by Ulysses
The Conway store on the corner of West 116th and Lenox houses a modest business in a building with a distinct past. Formerly the Bernheimer department store, the Beaux Arts style building is a handsomely proportioned two floors with the only tell-tale sign of its past above the side entrance. The front cornices are missing on the corner section of the facade but the 116th street side of the building still has a section left. As far as the interior is concerned, it's all drop ceiling, florescent lights and boxed in columns. We kind of wonder if the original tin ceiling, plasterwork and Corinthian columns could be underneath all of the bland modern finishes. The amazing thing about the aesthetics of the time is that even if the department store sold moderate price merchandise, the interiors would still have marble entrances, mosaic floors and detailed ceilings. Often included would be a luxurious dining area instead of the typical food courts that one would find in today's retail outlets. One of today's classic Harlem eateries, Amy Ruth's, is actually located at the western most end of the building's 116th street side. The 2,3 express stop at 116th sits directly across the street from this building, so it must have been a great destination point in the early 20th century. Photos by Ulysses
This building always strikes me as depressing for two reasons. Firstly it looks like it should have more floors or some kind of cornice to terminate the roof line, something is definitely missing. Secondly, the façade is in desperate need of a clean. The overall effect is of neglect and no regard for the buildings long distant former glory. In the right hands this could be a real gem to perk up this corner of Harlem.
ReplyDeleteWell said
DeleteI think a big part of what looks out of place is that the display windows have been walled off on the lower first floor in solid mint green. It almost looks like a construction zone with plywood covering up a potentially charming store front. This corner definitely is notable since it is the gateway to the Mount Morris Park Historic District from the 116th Street express stop.
ReplyDeleteThis corner is actually quite significant for its location across the street from the Harlem mosque attended by Malcolm X.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbours tell me it used to be a bank before Conway’s moved in. And I cant think of a single good thing to say about that Conways. Oh yeah. It's cheap.
ReplyDeleteCan someone please make Conway go away! I am a hardcore bargain shopper and frequenter of many a 99cent store but this store is too depressing even for me - and I have tried shopping there. It would be incredible if the building could even be partially restored to its former glory.
ReplyDeleteImmediately before being a Conway there was a grocery store in the space. There was also an extension on the 116th St. side that housed a vendor or two. I'm in total agreement with you Ulysses on the plywood.
ReplyDeleteWas the Lenox Casino here or across the street where the mosque is today?
We found a reference that mentioned the Lenox Casino was located where the mosque is today. Thanks for the history on the grocery store since we weren't around for that incarnation.
ReplyDeleteGosh, I'm turning into an old time Harlem resident!
ReplyDeleteThe grocery store was a Pioneer before they moved across the street to eventually become the Fine Fare.
I remember that corner well. Before the Pioneer supermarket the building house the Harlem World Disco. Before that there was a Woolworths there. I think the boarded up the side windows during the Harlem World days.
ReplyDeleteSome history of the Bernheimer: Before World War I, which is to say before there was a sizable African-American presence in lower Harlem, the Bernheimer housed a number of social clubs, most of which seemed to have been used for gambling and drinking--indeed, West 116th Street was the city's newest vice district, run by characters like the brothers Samuel and Isaac Bernheim, who seem to have arrived uptown after the turn of the century, along with so many Jews from the Lower East Side. West 116th Street was the stomping ground of the gangster Herman "Beansie" Rosenthal, who was murdered in 1912 in a contract killing ordered by the notorious policeman Charles Becker, who was eventually convicted and given the death penalty. Lots of history in that building!
ReplyDelete