The brownstone at 167 West 126th Street, between Lenox and ACP/7th Avenue might have a decent location transportation-wise, but it also faces some problems being just a block away from 125th Street's tallest building. When we covered this brownstone back in September 2009, the asking price seemed to have been reduced to a reasonable $750K but seven month later, the price actually went up to $880K. The plus side is that the intact building is only a block away from all of one's commercial needs on 125th Street and a short walk to the 2,3 express trains. There's also a lot of details still intact in the 17 foot wide, 2,596 square foot building with the retail unit on the ground floor (paint shop in top photo). So the minuses are that it is classified as a 9 unit building which probably means it's an SRO. Unless there's a certificate of non-harassment in place, most people will shy away from this type of property. The interior looks pretty intact but will need a complete overhaul of all the infrastructure along with any conversion that the new owner might want to take on. Last but not least is that the brownstone's proximity to this corner of 125th Street places it exactly right behind the Adam Clayton Powell office building (block view at second photo) which blocks most of the sunlight from this northern exposure property for most of the day. For the right buyer, there should be some negotiation room but this is only for those with experience dealing with all the paperwork that will be needed to get this place up and going again. Photos by Ulysses
126th St is a total speedway. If you lived there, you'd have to keep your front windows closed all day and all night.
ReplyDeleteHi Ulysses, just wondered why they might have problems being a block away from 125th st? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe ACP Building is right in front of that corner of 125th. It's the logistic of the building that I am hinting at. Your view is basically a massive, solid white wall of the back of the building. It's a tiny street and not a wide avenue that separates the brownstone from the tallest building in Harlem. The feeling is a little like an ant standing in the shadow of a leg of an elephant.
ReplyDeleteIs 127th street also too close to 125th? Some vehicles that would normally use 125th use my street as an alternative. It isn't that bad and the fact that it's 2 blocks away from major transportation and the shopping on 125th should make it a plus. Anyone care to give me their view on this?
ReplyDeleteI also live on 127th. Street and it doesn't come close to the noise
ReplyDeleteand traffic that 125th has. If you have double-paned windows
you shouldn't have any problems?
Anon, I think 127th is just fine and a great spot to be in. We are on 122nd and get minimal traffic. The only regular pass through is the tour bus which is more amusing than anything else!
ReplyDeleteI live on 127th Street between 5th Ave and Lenox and it does not get nearly as much thru traffic as 126th Street - which IS a speedway! One of the reasons for this is probably because 127th Street is not passable between Lex and Park (there is a parking garage and housing there). So it's not technically a THRU street (at least from 1st Ave).
ReplyDeleteThe city should put speed bumps across 126th street and fine all the red light jumpers driving across 126th street.
ReplyDeleteBetter yet, they should remove all the top layers of 126th Street and expose the cobblestone like they did down in Soho. Car's hate to speed down those blocks because it gets crazy bumpy.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 9:56 AM, great idea
ReplyDeleteExposing the cobblestone is not bad a bad idea...
ReplyDelete127th St is a beautiful block....no issues there other than those who tend to congregate on the corner of 127th and Lenox.
Those corner hangout guys can make the block look a little rag tag but they are not all bad people and in my opinion add to the color of Harlem life, as long as they are not doing anything illegal and are not disrespectful, I say live and let live.
ReplyDeleteI live on this block and the traffic noise isn't bad at all. The worst noise issue on this block is trucks backing up to make deliveries late at night/early in the morning. The fact that 126th Street is the "speedway" for 125th is not really the issue here, it's that 126th Street is the "backdoor/garage" of the State Office Building and the redeveloped Staples/Marshalls/etc complex at the Lenox end. Whenever there are events at the State Office building there are trucks and generators and such all over 126th. The fact that there's a steady stream of traffic speeding through around rush hours is comparatively a non-issue, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteHistorically though, this has always been the case -- even before urban renewal the properties on 125th have used 126th as their loading dock and dumping grounds. This can be seen on the back of the older properties on 125th/126th further west, such as the back of the Apollo.
The other odd thing about 126th is that MTA buses frequently use it as a short-cut as well-- yet they refuse to pick up passengers when they do. It's frustrating that a bus will be sitting right on my corner but won't pick me up there.
I've also never minded the guys who hang out in front of the deli at 127 and Lenox. They're mostly older guys who don't cause trouble. And speaking of 127 and Lenox, I'm happy to see that the OTHER deli (on the NW corner) seems to be being given a total renovation after it was closed for so long, and looks to be reopening soon.
Anon at 11:32 AM, Interesting viewpoint, so we can expect 124th and 126th streets to become service roads as 125th develops larger buildings with more retail.
ReplyDeleteThe issue with some who hang out on the corner of 127th st and Lenox ave is that they drink, urinate in broad daylight, are loud, and curse....not to mention that in the past some have even lived on the corner - mattress and all!
ReplyDeleteI live on the block and love it, but I've witnessed men urinating out in the open with a total disregard to passersby and common decency....in the summer the smell is unbearable! If a family with young children were to walk by, what do you think the reaction would be to such a sight? What does it say about our block and our neighborhood?
I think the church on the corner needs to step-up and take responsibility for their property and neighborhood. They need to acknowledge the issue and work with the NYPD Community Affairs Division and residents to address the issue. It behooves the grocery store on the corner to join in adressing the matter as well...as resolving this problem will probably increase their sales.
Whatever happened to 911, block associations and community boards addressing these quality of life issues?
ReplyDeleteThe problem is the vacant building at 79 W 127... I've seen people sleeping on mattresses in front of that building as well. Looks like the building has had a ton of complaints/fines from DOB and was doing work w/o a permit: http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/PropertyProfileOverviewServlet?boro=1&houseno=79&street=w+127th&requestid=0&s=A03C41B885B461E4F46BD08866A7430E
ReplyDeleteAnon at 1:16 PM, this kind of issue is better addressed by a block association, the local precinct are very happy to have the support of block associations and in turn will support block associations. If you have a block association, this is a good issue to get involved with and participate with the solution, or maybe it is time to start a block association.
ReplyDeleteI live on 127th closer to Lenox and there is a definite issue with the public urination and garbage that accumulates but I have to agree with westsider that the guys who hang out near the deli are for the most part (there are always some exceptions!) respectful and add to the security of the block.
ReplyDeleteI have confronted some of them when I see them urinating between cars and they always apologize and move on. One guy was urinating near the door of a car and when I confronted him he said it was his car. I told him I didn't believe him and then he took his keys out and opened the door!!
This spring (so far) , the loitering, garbage and overnight sidewalk sleepers seems to have diminished compared to previous years. I'm hoping it stays that way...
In terms of a block association, there was a small group in past years but not enough people to make an impact. I am all for getting something formed to re-start the block asociation. The Abyssinian Church owns the playground near 79 West 127 St and if we could get that space cleaned up it could become a positive space for the families on the block.
I have created a blog at www.harlemwest127st.blogspot.com that I periodically update but have found it difficult to get the momentum going..... any ideas?? Post/comment to the blog if you are interested in participating in a block association and hopefully we can get something started! Thanks!
I think the successful block associations, as with most organizations are in reality and unfortunately not made of large numbers of participants, but a very few dedicated persons who are determined to keep a block association going regardless, and welcome all neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI think the time has come to move forward and address some of our concerns. I think the key will be establishing lines of communication with residents, local community based organizations, NYPD, local politicians, and other stakeholders. Also, outreach needs to be more aggressive and integrated with local organizations to achieve results.
ReplyDeleteThe link below is to the Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association...they're having a spring wine tatsing event on 4/20/2010 at 66 West 120th Street. This might be a good opportunity to establish important community linkages, contacts, and to come up with some good ideas/approaches in addressing our concerns.
http://mmpcia.org/site/
A good move, MMPCIA have a lot of experience with this. Also, I don’t see a contact email address on your blog www.harlemwest127st.blogspot.com ?
ReplyDelete