For those curious to what the building at the corner of 131st and Lenox used to look like, we found this archival photo form 1940 showing the structure intact. A storefront at the long gone building used to sell orthodox goods so there must have still been a large Jewish presence in Harlem in those years. Today, the corner half of the townhouse no longer exists and the leftover open lot at this part of Central Harlem has been around apparently since the 80s. Does anyone know if the land is owned by the church next door or does it belong to the government?
Photo courtesy the digital collection at the Museum of the City of New York
The current little white washed church has a certain charm, mostly because it looks cared for, although the first incarnation of this building is barely recognizable. It appears the original ornate mansard roof with its dormer windows cleverly decorated and gave architectural interest to a simple flat roof.
ReplyDeleteHPD owns the lot next door.
ReplyDeleteThis is really a terrific archival photo, Ulysses.