NUMBER 2: MOUNT MORRIS PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT

Our popular HB series that ranks the top 10 uptown micro-nabes is back for the best neighborhood countdown of 2016.  Harlem is a large part of Manhattan that changes block by block so we have put together a list of the best micro-nabes based on location, architecture, transportation, local amenities along with record closing prices when applicable. This is our own opinion based on reporting on the neighborhood for a few years and a new post will be made each day until the number one spot has been revealed.

No. 2: Mount Morris Park Historic District and extension, South Harlem, within the blocks spanning Lenox Avenue from 118th Street to 124th Street, ACP/7th Avenue on the west border over to Fifth Avenue at the east border. Many uptowners call Harlem a village and the Mount Morris Park Historic District is the one micro-nabe that really captures this spirit.  The city's Landmark Commission also agreed in 2015 and doubled the size of the majestic neighborhood which also includes many brownstone storefronts on the Lenox Avenue corridor.  Townhouses also tend to be on the larger side on these intact blocks which have attracted home buyers such as celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and art world gallery legend Gavin Brown.  Another big attraction is that the main transportation hub of express subway lines on 125th Street will get one to midtown in less than 15 minutes.

As far as home sales go, Maya Angelou's home sold for just over $4 million this year but that was not enough to get the neighborhood in to the top spot for 2016.   Whole Foods also failed to open in 2016 and but when it does later this year, we can pretty much expect this part of Harlem to regain the crown next year.   For a full map of the historic district, check out our previous post: LINK