Tourist season has arrived in Harlem and busloads of European visitors have been walking the famous streets of Harlem as of last weekend. The Harlem Shake is such a global phenomenon now and the soon to open Lenox Avenue burger joint with the same moniker at the corner of 124th Street has been a popular photo opportunity for many. Other destinations spots such as Red Rooster and Sylvia's on Upper Lenox has been a noticeably more crowded along with the lines forming at local gospel churches. We have been hearing a lot of Italian spoken but tourists form Spain, France and Japan are quite often seen uptown.
Harlem has for a long time been a popular tourist destination with the Europeans and Japanese, I think more so than with American tourists. Harlem can only benefit from this and raises the demand for more restaurants and Jazz spots.
ReplyDeleteHarlem wake up!!! Tourist are coming and we want their $$$ Let us clean up get the village streets looking nice; clean up the stores and greet them with a good Harlem welcome and open arms.
ReplyDeleteI love the Harlem Shake tourist photo op, hilarious, the owner could never have guessed how hot the name would be, hope it opens soon.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing this. Sure their big groups are occasionally in the way and annoying, but the economic boost they add is so important. I can't wait until they have more hotel options in Harlem. More hotels will allow/force them to spend even more money in our part of town.
ReplyDeleteHarlem has a great spread of tourist destinations. Including further Uptown at historical places like the Hamilton Grange in St. Nicholas Park, Morris Jumal Mansion, and Trinity Cemetery.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if those who applaud the tourists and the economic boost they bring ever think of that as they promote building only "market rate" housing that would homogenize Harlem into an extension of the Upper West and East sides? Having lived in Greenwich Village for many years, I remember the disappointed faces of tourists who would ask how to get to G Village while standing in the middle of the wealthy enclave it has become. Harlem's tourist appeal does not come from an overabundance of yuppies. Diversity is key here, including a variety of income levels.
ReplyDeleteHarlem already has an excess of low income / welfare with the massive housing projects, so I think the balance needs be redressed with more market rate homes. But I am in agreement, I would not like Harlem to become and extension of the upper west side and maintain its unique signature.
DeleteI don't get your comment at 3:54. Adding white people to a mostly black and hispanic populous makes that populous more diverse. Also, adding wealthy people to a mostly poor populous makes it more diverse. If you are seeking "diversity" then adding college educated, wealthy, white people to Harlem's populous is perhaps the best way to make it more diverse. So your comment is confusing. What is it you're trying to say?
ReplyDelete@Douglas: what I am saying is that a mix of races and income levels will keep Harlem the vibrant, creative and attractive tourist attraction that it is, and that an insistence that ONLY market-rate housing should be built here works against that. As a relatively new resident/owner of a luxury condo
ReplyDelete@Douglas:What I am saying is that a mix of races and income levels will keep Harlem the vibrant, diverse and creative tourist attraction that it is, and that insistence that ONLY market-rate housing should be built here argues against that, as a relatively new owner/resident of a luxury condo in Central Harlem, I am in favor of a mix of luxury and affordable housing, which my section of Fifth Ave, reflects, along with churches and cultural institutions like the National Black Theater. Some posters on this site equate "affordable" housing with huge housing projects, crime and African Americans. I do not, nor did I mention race in my first post. I don't know what confused you, bit I hope this clears it up.
ReplyDeleteThe evidence speaks for market rate housing and to be more exact, home ownership. Harlem has undergone a huge transformation in the last decade or more that is due to pride of ownership. This transformation started with the fixing up of the many brownstones by individuals who transformed burnt out shells used as drug dens and worse into beautiful homes and now stunning blocks. I know many groups like to claim credit for Harlem’s transformation but from what I have seen it is the influx of individuals with pride of ownership. Now you may argue that pride of ownership robs Harlem of it’s character, I would say look to the Mount Morris Park District, pride of ownership has made those few blocks a very special part of not just Harlem but Manhattan that is still uniquely Harlem. I encourage more pride of ownership for Harlem’s continued success.
ReplyDeleteI think the housing mix question is another topic. In regards to the tourists, I think more local businesses stand to make a lot of money if they can hook up with these tour groups by offering things they want - I'm guessing shows like the vintage Apollo theater show would be very attractive, and fun, welcoming restaurants like those on FDB and Corner Social/Red Rooster have got the right idea. Anyone who has room for a stage could host a Harlem Revue, complete with classic or revived soul food prix fixe.
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