Renderings of 212 West 124th Street and 224 West 124th Street (Credit Body Lawson Associates and Fischer + Makooi Architects
When the real estate community and buyers in search of lower prices "discover" a New York City neighborhood that has been around for years, there is a fine line to walk between sprucing up the area and erasing the unique character that brought it to prominence in the first place. However, while two-building complex Marcus Garvey Village promises to transform its Harlem block at a streetscape level, its local developers and designers have voiced a commitment to honoring the culture of the community as opposed to gentrifying it.
The developer, a joint venture between Carthage Real Estate Advisors and Rester Management, bought the site from Abyssinian Development Corp. for $27.8 million in December 2017. They also partnered with West Harlem Development Corporation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to promoting increased economic opportunities and quality of life for the West Harlem community.
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The two buildings will have a combined 330 studio through two-bedroom housing units, 169 will be designated permanently affordable. Salaries will be capped at approximately 80 percent of the area median income, so as to avoid a scenario where there isn’t much discernible difference between these rent-stabilized units and market-rate rents. The housing lottery is anticipated for early 2022.
Bird's-eye view of 212 and 224 West 124th Street
Rendering via Body Lawson Associates
"By bringing back performance spaces for local residents and places where our community’s uniqueness shines, we believe this project will set a new paradigm for development here" - Edward Poteat, Founder and President, Carthage Real Estate Advisors
Residential amenities are expected to include lounges, an outdoor recreation terrace, storage, central laundry rooms, a package room, bike rooms, and on-site parking. In addition to the new housing units, Marcus Garvey Village will feature a 3,000-square-foot community facility and 3,500 square feet of retail space. Harlem World reports that the community space will include a grade-level LGBTQ+ center, space dedicated to Community Board 10 meeting rooms and other community uses, and a rooftop performance space.
212 West 124th Street
Foundation work is still underway on 212 West 24th Street. Body Lawson Associates is the architect of record, and founder Victor Body-Lawson said in a statement, “We are using efficient and economical construction approaches to craft an uplifting, sustainable and resilient cornerstone for this urban community." Renderings of the 19-story tower show large windows throughout and long green terraces on upper levels.
Next door, construction has topped out on the first of the two towers, an 18-story building at 224 West 124th Street designed by Fischer + Makooi Architects. A rendering of the building shows a brick façade punctuated by traditional balconies and topped by a roof deck.
Construction progress at 224 West 124th Street circa November 2021 via CityRealty
Rendering via Carthage Real Estate Advisors
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