Despite good intentions, NYC zoning often yields some unfortunate consequences. Case in point is this upcoming mixed-use building planned for 370 West 125th Street between Morningside and St. Nicholas Avenues in Harlem. Brooklyn-based Haim Nortman purchased the through-block property last year for $29 million and filed applications for a 12-floor, 71-unit building this past March.
Now being demolished at the site is a turn-of-the-century theater most recently occupied by LaGree Baptist Church. The Spanish Baroque-style building opened as the West Side Theater in 1902, according to Cinema Treasures, and closed at the onset of the Great Depression.
In this article:
West End Theater in 1903 via the Museum of the City of New York
Commercial Observer reports that Nortman acquired 27,500 square feet of development rights from Fata Organization who own the undistinguished, two-floor commercial building next door. Issac | Stern are the project’s designers. Despite their efforts to make the building appealing, the rendering released on their site shows a blocky design with the clear intent of squeezing the maximum amount of square footage onto the site. There is a height limit of 130 feet for this stretch of 125th Street, making it difficult to fit the additional bulk into the zoning envelope. As a solution, the project will employ a large cantilever over the Fata’s property allowing for larger floors.
The floor schedule says the cellar through third floors will have retail spaces and above will be 4-9 apartments per floor. No word on whether the units will be condo or rental but signs point to a high-end development. Apartments will have large windows and some will have their own private terraces. Amenities will include a children’s playroom, a recreation room, private roof terraces and a common roof deck.
The project will be next door to the A, C, B, D train's 125th Street station where express service can shuttle commuters to Midtown in minutes. Several new residential developments have taken shape just south of the site along Morningside Avenue such as the in-construction 99 Morningside Avenue, Thor's 98 Morningside and the newly-opened rental 92 Morningside Avenue.
The floor schedule says the cellar through third floors will have retail spaces and above will be 4-9 apartments per floor. No word on whether the units will be condo or rental but signs point to a high-end development. Apartments will have large windows and some will have their own private terraces. Amenities will include a children’s playroom, a recreation room, private roof terraces and a common roof deck.
The project will be next door to the A, C, B, D train's 125th Street station where express service can shuttle commuters to Midtown in minutes. Several new residential developments have taken shape just south of the site along Morningside Avenue such as the in-construction 99 Morningside Avenue, Thor's 98 Morningside and the newly-opened rental 92 Morningside Avenue.
Demolition progress as of early September (CityRealty)
Hancock Place elevation of the old West Side Theater (CityRealty)
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