Wednesday, June 6, 2012

☞ READ: Other News for 125th and Lenox Lot?

The Harlem Hyatt that was planned on the west corner lot at 125th and Lenox ran out of financing but the New York post now reports that a retail building with an established commercial anchor will be coming soon. A known retail developer has plans on a 5-story, 150,000-square-foot new construction at 100 West 125th Street and Burlington Coat Factory just signed a lease for the three top floors.  The article also brings up the rumored Harlem Whole Foods Market and that this development might just be the final location for the celebrated supermarket. A lease has been signed and a seasoned developer is attached to this project so this one might have a much better chance than some of the other failed developments along 125th.  If all goes according to plan, groundbreaking should start this fall: LINK

23 comments:

  1. As long as Walmart does NOT move there, they have my blessings!! :)

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  2. Sounds pretty encouraging. Believe it when I see it though!

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  3. gosh i hope it's a whole foods!! that would make my life so much easier. currently I walk from 119th to 96th street*

    *could take the bus, but that's even more of a P.I.T.A.

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  4. This is the only location that ever made sense...it's the best location for business in all of Harlem.

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  5. Its surprising they would only build five stories there and not make it mixed use. If I was going to live in an apartment, the prospect of having the 2/3 train right out the door would be a major appeal. It would be amazing if there were rental/owner units in such a location to contribute more density and further customers for the shops/restaurants etc. Imagine a much taller more substantial development!

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    1. I agree with Kathleen - I'm surprised that there isn't any mention of plans to put condos (or other housing) atop the new development. But maybe that will come later... I'll believe this when I see things progress.

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  6. I couldn't be more excited! Reminds me of when the rumors of a Macy's/BedBathBeyond coming to that same corner were circulating. What a heartbreak! In this day financing always hangs on by a thread. I hope it comes through though. It would be a major boon to the area.

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  7. Big changes coming to 125th street, especially this huge lot and the proposed building on the north side of 125th street. I only hope the local politicians keep well away from this and not interfere with Harlem’s development. I believe it when I see it.

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  8. This is the spot that makes the most sense for Whole Foods in many ways. By the time a building is erected, I would expect there would be even more changes (I think for the better) on the Lenox corridor up to 130th Street and down to 116th.

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  9. 90,000 square feet of coats ... Thats a whole lotta coats!

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    1. GG the store is a general clothing and shoes retailer closer resembling a jc penney.

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  10. I hope this change helps to alleviate the street vendor problem on 125th Street.

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    1. We love street vendors!

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    2. I sure don't! And it hurts tax-paying vendors who carry real estate costs.

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    3. Well, tourists love them. It all adds to the colour of 125. Not like on Prince Street where you can't walk down the damn street

      The music and the incense and the general joie de vivre make 125 what it is.

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    4. I agree with Sanou - the street vendors are great! I haven't gotten earrings anywhere else for years.

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    5. Without them 125 is really a rather uninspired mix of sneaker shops, pawn shops and wig stores.

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  11. I am keeping my fingers crossed for this one to come through. I live on 119th and would love to have more/better grocery shopping choices. I agree with Kathleen's comment that taller and mixed use would be even more of a blessing but I'll be happy to see this come true as is just to spur more positive activity.

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    1. 119? You've got Best Buy plus Fine Fare!

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  12. Bill/Kathleen: The article is a bit cryptic, but I'm assuming that the developer is hoping to build something taller but just doesn't have the funding to do so (at least for now). At least that is my take on what the NY Post is getting at when it says, "... but sources say the zoning and design doors are being kept open for a possible project topper in the future."

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  13. I think I'm more excited about Burlington Coat Factory than Whole Foods!

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  14. Not that it is an option, but I would prefer a hotel on this corner as it will provide more employment and help develop more 125th street restaurants, plus Harlem is already popular with tourists. Unfortunately a hotel it is not currently a consideration.

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    1. I would like to see a rooftop farm included in the development of the space. this would definitly be a significant improvement to the green infrastructure of the area and the development of the community.

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