Live in the Newly-Renovated Dunbar Apartments, Historic Harlem Building Renting from $1,995/Month

By Michelle Mazzarella | From Upper Manhattan Monday, October 22, 2018

Google Earth aerial view of Dunbar Apartments

Recent renovations at Dunbar Apartments represent the latest chapter in the celebrated Harlem complex’s history. The six-building development completed in 1928 was built by John D. Rockefeller and designed by Andrew J. Thomas to maximize easy air flow and ensure that all units got direct sunlight at some point during the day. Dunbar Apartments was designated a New York City landmark in 1970; less than ten years later, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Most recently, leasing has launched on the improved apartments.

All apartments feature hardwood flooring, exposed brick, and large windows that fill the rooms with natural light. The modernized kitchens come outfitted with stone counters, subway tile backsplash, self-closing cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances that include a dishwasher and microwave.

Interiors via Dunbar LLC

Model kitchen

Listings at Dunbar Apartments start at $1,995/month for one-bedrooms, $2,350/month for two-bedrooms, $2,650/month for three-bedrooms, and $4,945/month for a four-bedroom. This brings them just below the Harlem median of $2,198/month for one-bedrooms, $2,700/month for two-bedrooms, $3,013/month for three-bedrooms, and $4,000/month for four-bedrooms (per CityRealty listings).

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Amenities at Dunbar Apartments include virtual doorman, on-site maintenance staff, package room, newly renovated laundry rooms, and its famous, beautifully planted courtyard garden. It also comes with a rich history: Named in honor of African-American writer Paul Dunbar, it was conceived as the first cooperative in the country designed for African-Americans. Famous residents have included W.E.B. Du Bois, Paul Robeson, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, and Arctic explorer Matthew Henson.

Dunbar Apartments is across the street from the 3 train's stop; this and the nearby B and D trains make for a 20-minute commute to Midtown. Baseball fans will be delighted to be right across the river from Yankee Stadium. Closer to home, the complex offers easy access to local services, schools, restaurants, public tennis courts, and Jackie Robinson Park and its impressive pool. A new condominium rising directly north at 2600 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard is estimated for an early 2019 completion.