We just assumed that the new residential building at the west corner of 124th Street and 5th Avenue (north end of Marcus Garvey Park) replaced an existing corner brownstone in this well preserved block by the Mt. Morris Park Historic District. On the contrary, the above photo, taken in 1932, shows a corner garden space where the newish development now sits today (lower photo). Does anyone know when the new building arrived on the lot? Archival image from NYPL. Current photo by Ulysses
Were the drummers on hand for the 1932 photo? I'm guessing that new bldg was finished in '07. When it hit the market, it had the highest priced (ppsf) Coops in Harlem. No longer sure if this is the case. This is a Coop bldg, not a condo.
ReplyDeleteInteresting photo comparison...
ReplyDeletewhat do you mean by "were the drummers there." can someone please explain who these "drummers" are and what it is claimed that they do in mount morris park neighborhood, as i am soon to move there and want to know what to expect.
ReplyDeleteThere is a group that sits in an area marked "Drummers's Circle" and drums African drums. It's to the east of the swimming pool.
ReplyDeleteThey were moved from an area closer to the new building shown when residents complained.
are these drummers only on 124th street and 5th. can you hear the drummers from 5th and 120th?
ReplyDeleteI would doubt it but I've never tried.
ReplyDeleteno you cant hear them anywhere outside the park except 123-124th and madison. even there it's pretty faint.
ReplyDeleteThe building was built in 2006. That garden was long gone by then and it was an empty lot.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know anything about the unusual building on Fifth and 125, south side of the street, next to the vacant lot? It’s brownstone but with a large arch and street level entrance. There is a shield with a name on it I can't remember. Could it have been a stable? Odd to have a stable fronted right on the avenue next to what would have been expensive homes.
ReplyDelete9:52pm - good question. That's the only building I've seen in Harlem with an arch...it would be interesting to learn of its history.
ReplyDeleteImmediately before construction, it was being used as a parking lot.
ReplyDeleteThis is a coop is on a land-lease as defined here: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-land-lease.htm
ReplyDeleteOwners who bought into this building were surely never informed by its (insert snide tone here) honorable & scrupulous exclusive broker Katherine Gaulthier of Prudential Douglas Elliman that the property they're just purchased sits on land that is owned by someone else.
In essence they bought into a share in a building that has a landlord for a lease lasting anywhere between 50 to 100 years. Once the lease is up, the landlord can legally take possession and your descendants are left with the mess.
Otherwise, nice building and amenities!
No matter what a real estate agent says or doesn't, anyone who doesn't read an offering plan in a building before signing on the dotted line is an idiot and deserves whatever they get. Surely the land lease information was in the offering plan.
ReplyDeleteThis is Anon 1:07. I agree 100% with you, Anon 2:43. It doesn't erase the creepy backdoor string-along tactics of this particular broker (in my opinion way surpassing the usual customary creepy backdoor string-along tactics of others in the business.)
ReplyDeleteIs it constructive to this discussion in any way shape or form that I as a former client with many firsthand experiences to support that opinion might admittedly hold a bit of a grudge? Of course not! Very childish indeed. But as the holiday approaches, allow me to set off a couple of dud firecrackers while the topic allowed a hairline crack for me to vent.
Ok, I'm done. Haha!
It sounds like some assume that real estate agents, most of whom probably only have a high school diploma, actually know stuff. NOT!
ReplyDeleteie. Sales Agent: "Hi Mr/Ms X welcome to 100 ABC Ave. It's a two bed two bath, 1200 sq ft, maintenance is $750." The End - what else do they know?
Anon 3:00 - Well, there's the art of Boulsheis Le Cliente
ReplyDeleteMy brokers, and I realise not everyone has this experience, did everything for me. We trudged around Harlem for about six months in the freezing rain and broiling sun—we must have seen 40 buildings minimum. They found out all about the state of ownership on the buildings, if they had certs of non-harass, if they had c of os. They hooked me up with contractors for estimates, recommended a wonderful real estate lawyer, juggled selling one building while buying another, knew all about the requirements necessary for 1015s or whatever it is called, got me approved for a bridge loan in case I needed it.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't have done it without them.