Another story in the papers on the abandoned Mart 125th Street still does not confirm that funding has been secured for the commercial redevelopment but does confirm that a Banana Republic Outlet store is set to open across the street in the same building that Red Lobsters is located at. Anyone following the saga of Mart 125 will remember that the indoor market that was opened in the 80s to get the vendors off of 125th Street has been trying to secure financing and institutions to commit to the space but nothing really concrete has come about over the past decade. This is the last government-owned building on the 125th Street corridor that needs serious investors to really make things happen. There are probably quite a few community stipulations to develop the property so that is probably one of the reasons backers are not really making this happen sooner than later. More in the Daily News:
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I am all for community stipulations to make space for art/ community spaces in these developments, but it has got to make sense for developers. In my opnion, more of the developments above 125th street should have housing above retail. This would benefit the community in so many ways: it would increase housing supply in manhattan and harlem, it would be more enticing for restauranters if there is housing above as it enables landlords to potentially charge less rent and provides a built in clientele. This is where condos should be built - not on brownstone blocks - as it will enable harlem's population to grow without destroying the intact brownstone blocks.
ReplyDeletethis is excellent news. I envisioned many clothing retailers setting up their outlets on 125th street so that 125th street could become a destination for people looking for bargain prices from the rest of the city and also have affordable clothes for the people in the community who can't afford regular retail prices.. A win win situation..
ReplyDeletethere goes the neighborhood. smh.
ReplyDeletemeh. Probably won't shop there, but that's nice.
ReplyDeletelol there goes the neighborhood? 125th street currently looks like 14th street about 30 years ago with all of these cheap no name stores.. There is no reason for that.. Let's get some name brand businesses up here with price points that cater to both locals and visitors..
ReplyDeleteThis is just awesome. I'm glad it's an actual outlet store and not just another standard location (although that would be great too). This will bring people from all over, which is great for Harlem (and those of us who love to shop at Banana, myself included).
ReplyDeleteThere's already an Old Navy and a Gap(which owns Banana Republic and sells clothes at a reasonable price point). Banana Republic is too high a price point to be in Harlem. Period.
ReplyDeleteToo high? You don't get out much. Ever walked into that little shop called La Scala with the $900 or more Montcler vests, Prada - from last year collection along with the high end sneaker shop adjacent to Fed Ex. Too bad B. Oyama couldn't make it but Harlem loves BR.
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