Alvin Reed turned around the Harlem Jazz spot over a decade ago but removed some of the interior and exterior details upon departure because of a lease dispute. Mr. Reed's lawyer states that he not only owns the name of Lenox Lounge but has claim to the design details of the space because he also took over proprietorship of the business. There apparently will be a legal battle going forward.
Another detail to not from this article is that Richard Notar has not confirmed a name for the new business that will take over the old Lenox Lounge location. Read more in the Times: LINK
I was wondering about Mr. Reed taking part of the building that he does not own as he was a renter. He may own the name Lenox Lounge but not the building. I assume Mr. Reed discussed this with his attorney before removing the façade. This has to be a first, a renter takes part of the building when they move on. I guess this legal battle could go on for a long time. It would be great for Harlem to have the iconic red façade restored to its rightful place.I was wondering about Mr. Reed taking part of the building that he does not own as he was a renter. He may own the name Lenox Lounge but not the building. I assume Mr. Reed discussed this with his attorney before removing the façade. This has to be a first, a renter takes part of the building when they move on.
ReplyDeleteWhen I move out of my rental, I think I'll take the refrigerator, the toilet, and the front door. Hope my landlord doesn't mind!
ReplyDeleteSelfish of Mr Reed. He has no right to the Historic Harlem facade. Now the neighborhood has to suffer with an eyesore instead of a beautiful signage.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that Al Reed could have painted, renovated, changed the outside facade, or done whatever else he wanted to do with Lenox Lounge over the years, and the landlord would have cared less, as long as he paid the rent on time. Obviously, it's only become an issue now that he's found Notar and doubled the rent to get Reed out to bring in the downtown money guys and their plans to cash in on Harlem's Black culture.
ReplyDeleteSince Notar has the spot now, he can always give you guys another beloved Bistro, Biergarten, Trattoria, or whatever, while Reed moves Harlem's Black music culture up a few blocks north on Malcolm X Boulevard.
The idea that the landlord doubled the rent with the purpose of removing Mr. Reed to replace him with someone from downtown sounds like a conspiracy theory. The rent was surely doubled, that is normal business practice on a commercial lease, this is a commercial space, not a rent controlled apartment.
DeleteI would like to see the red façade rebuilt, for the sake of Harlem’s history, I think that is something all in Harlem, old and new can agree on.
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