DEMOLITION OF AN ASTOR ROW TOWNHOUSE

Harlem Bespoke:  There is a big empty lot now on Astor Row by Lenox Avenue since the city had to proceed with demolition this week because of years of neglect which endangered the adjacent buildings.  The above photos were taken yesterday and most of the brick townhouse had already been manually dismantled. 

The abandoned Number 28 West 130th Street had a few opportunities to be sold over the years but somehow the owner who lives in Queens has held on to the property.  Apparently the end goal was to move into the house finally after being away for 34 years but that was on contingent to selling the residence in Queens to get the cash flow needed for renovations as stated in an article from six years ago.   The city's landmark preservation commission has been after the estate for repair work but nothing has been done so everything has turned for the worse.  

Basically the land would now have to be sold in the future at a discount because the developer would need to rebuild everything accurately to historic standards.  More on the story via Patch: LINK 

HarlemBespoke.com 2021