West Harlem is simply classic. It is a culturally rich and historically significant neighborhood. West Harlem is sometimes referred to as “Manhattanville”. It is located just above Morningside Heights.
Residents of West Harlem have long confronted developers and Columbia University to protect their neighborhood from gentrification.
West Harlem stretches from W 122nd/123rd to about W 135th — between historic Frederick Douglas Blvd, and the Hudson River.
Moreover so ,West Harlem’s 125th Street serves the community as the main hub for historic and present institutions.
West Harlem is home to many college students, with the City College of New York to its north and Columbia University to its south, but there is a diverse range of people moving into the new developments in this exciting neighborhood every day.
Below are beautiful places you do not want to miss out on when you visit West Harlem – the culturally rich neighborhood:
Claremont Theater Building
The Claremont Theater Building is currently a furniture store. It is one of the oldest structures in New York City. The architecture will definitely leave you awestruck. Claremont Theater is the place to visit if you love history and aesthetic architeture. It was planned specifically to exhibit motion pictures, originally known as “photoplays.”
Claremont is located in north Manhattanville, at the southeast corner of Broadway and 135th Street. The theater opened in November 1914. Arlington. C and Harvey M. Hall commissioned the building. Gaetano Anjello designed Claremont Building was in the neo-Renaissance style. Ajello is an architect best-known for apartment buildings on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Furthermore, the building has three distinct fronts, including a clipped corner façade where the auditorium’s entrance was originally located. The corner, consequently, received the most elaborate decorative treatment. It is embellished with an elegant low relief depicting an early motion picture camera set on a tripod.
St. James Presbyterian Church
St. James is a historic African American Presbyterian Church. Established in 1904, the neo-Gothic structure has a long history of leadership. Black ministers and descends from the Shiloh Presbyterian Church led the church.
Shiloh was originally located on West 32nd Street, but the church would migrate several times before settling in West Harlem in 1927.
St. James has heavily engaged with the local community. In fact, it has founded a number of community initiatives, including the Harlem School of the Arts.
Cotton Club
Thinking of partying at West Harlem? Note the address down – 656 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027. Get a taste of the neighborhood at Cotton Club, a legendary nightspot in the Harlem district of New York City.
The Cotton Club offers Swing Dance nights, brunch and gospel, and dinner and jazz! Plus a Jazz and Blues show by Solomon Hicks every single Friday night!
Barawine – West Harlem
Enjoy a cozy wine night at Barawine. Here is a fun fact, you get to enjoy happy hour every night from 4 pm to 8 pm. In addition to that, Barawine even has bottomless brunch. Located on an outdoor patio, you’ll have a beautiful brownstone mansion view as you enjoy a tasty braised lamb shank or seafood tartar. It is addressed at 200 Malcolm X Blvd, New York City, NY 10027.
The Mink Building
The Mink Building is a five-story German-American-style red brick structure. The five-story redbrick Mink Building sits between 126th and 128th Streets on Amsterdam Avenue. It was once housed a variety of breweries throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the 1990s, the Mink Building was calendared for consideration as a historic landmark, which developers fought hard against and won, according to Chin. The 150,000-square-foot site has now been chosen as part of a major redevelopment plan by Janus Property Company.
Fairway Grocery Store
You can cook your own meals at West Harlem by shopping for fresh vegetables and fruits at Fairway. Not only do they have fresh fruits and vegetables, but they also sell fresh meat, dairy, and beers.
However, carry something warm to wear. The freezers at Fairway can get you feeling super cold. Address: 2328 12th Ave, New York, NY 10027.
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