A long abandoned lot right by the Apollo Theater has now had some major foundation work finishing up on the site and Red Lobster has signed a contract to lease out the new commercial space. Just a little further west on FDB/8th Avenue, the new building that will house DSW, Joe's Crab Shack and Blink Fitness is steadily rising day by day. These two projects should be finishing up in a years time so change is definitely at hand.
On the east side, the Corn Exchange Building was finally sold off to a reputable developer and design plans are under review by the Landmark Preservation Commission to rebuild the former Mount Morris Bank to its former glory. It's been over 5 years since much has happened on the boulevard but now the future looks brighter for Harlem's famous commercial strip.
development is great, it's a shame it's chains that are developing however.
ReplyDeleteRed Lobster? So much for keeping/making 125th a unique boulevard.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody know whether the sugar hill brewery is still planning to move to 125th street? I feel like I had initially heard about that potential project along with the Corn Exchange Building, but I don't know if anything is happening with it.
ReplyDeleteRed Lobster huh? Hope it works out.
ReplyDeleteWhat?! People love cheddar bay biscuits. Red Lobster is going to thrive and not just from tourist dollars. IHOP and Applebee's have shown that casual dining chains can make money in Harlem.
DeleteWhat happened to the Whole Foods?
ReplyDeleteI expect Red Lobster to do very well, the Apollo theater next door has always been a well lit and busy spot standing alone on a shuttered block. Now it will have a neighbor and the synergy of Red Lobster and the Apollo will work well together.
ReplyDeleteI see three distinct destination areas of Harlem developing, upper Lenox, lower Lenox and now emerging the Apollo block. Not to mention lower Frederick Douglass boulevard which is far more developed than the three I mention. These three developing destination areas, upper Lenox, lower Lenox and the Apollo block form a triangle that I can only assume will eventually fill in to one contiguous destination with more establishments.
ReplyDeleteI expect that both Red Lobster and Joe's Crab Shack will do vibrant business both among locals with moderate budgets and tourists who will patronize familiar chains during their visits. My hope is that they will create foot traffic that will also consider smaller, unique establishments they discover along the way. This often happens when my husband and I look for a place to grab a bite in an unfamiliar city. Experience seems to dictate that establishments should not be too grandiose for the area or they will fail.
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