Costco, Condos Accent Today's East Harlem

For decades, East Harlem was considered by many to be an unsafe and less than desirable community.

 

That's the old East Harlem. The area, bordered by Fifth Avenue and the East River between East 96th and East 125th streets, has come alive lately thanks to new development and an influx of young families, professionals and college students who have been priced out of other areas of Manhattan. The main attraction: relatively inexpensive home prices, larger spaces and low rents. One bedrooms are around $1,700 a month, says Dianne Howard, associate broker for Corcoran Group.

 

Once they've arrived, folks embrace the diverse, vibrant community, its landscape dotted with community gardens that locals take pride in maintaining, as well as brightly colored murals depicting Latin culture.

 

A blend of residents include Italians, French, Haitians, Dominicans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Africans, Asian-Americans and Garifuna, an ethnic group with ancestry from Central America.

 

"There is tremendous excitement because there is so much diversity in a place that once upon a time people did not want to live in," said Peggy Morales, a 30-year resident and community activist. "People want to become a part of the local community, give back to it and start families here."

 

Brownstones, townhomes, public housing and tenement buildings make up the majority of housing stock, although a number of cooperative apartments and condominiums have gone up in recent years.

 

Scheduled for completion by the end of the year, the Embelesar 118, a co-op at East 118th Street will have studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and penthouse units ranging between $233,000 and $650,000.

 

The East River Plaza, a shopping plaza located off the FDR Drive between 116th and 119th streets opened in October, and is bringing a number of big-name retailers, including Costco, Best Buy, PetSmart and Target.

 

The area is also home to part of Fifth Avenue's museum mile, including El Museo del Barrio, the Museum of the City of New York and the Museum for African Art, opening in early 2011.

 

While there are a number of social clubs, restaurants and cafés for the 21 and over crowd, the community lacks a movie theater or youth recreation facilities. "There is nothing for them to do here," said Ms. Morales. "We need a facility that will create jobs and stimulate these young people's minds so they can engage in activities that are productive."

 

Parks: Nearby are Marcus Garvey Park, Thomas Jefferson Park and the Conservatory Garden in Central Park. Popular community gardens include Los Amigos Garden, the 103rd Street Community Garden, the Target East Harlem Community Garden and Papo's Garden.

 

Schools: Public schools fall within District 4 and 5, and include Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, a high school with advanced science research and internship opportunities. Also, there is TAG Young Scholars which serves gifted students in kindergarten through eighth grade; and P.S. 096 Joseph Lanzetta, which offers the VH1 Instrumental Music Program and Upward Bound TASC after-school program. In District 4 in 2009, 76.5% of students received a proficient score on the math exam, and 64.4% of students received a proficient score on the English Language Arts exam. In 2006, the results were 48.6% for math and 41.4% for reading.

 

Dining: Long-time establishments include Patsy's, a pizzeria on 118th Street and First Avenue that opened in 1933; and Rao's, offering Neapolitan cuisine and known as one of the most difficult restaurants in New York in which to secure a reservation. For Spanish food, try Caridad restaurant; for Latin food, there's Ricardo's Steakhouse.

 

New establishments, particularly cafés, are gradually moving into the neighborhood, such as the two-year-old SpaHa Café and Creole Restaurant.

 

 

 

On the Market:

 

353 E. 104th St., No. 70 (pictured above, right)

 

This one-bedroom, one-bath condominium covers 605 square feet. The kitchen features stainless-steel appliances and Caesar Stone quartz counters. There is also central air conditioning. The building has a 16-hour doorman and a fitness center with a terrace. Monthly common charges are $557 .

 

·         Asking price: $475,000

 

·         Listing Agent: Jessica Armstead of Corcoran

 

·         Open House: Saturday, July 17, 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

346 E. 119th St., No. 48 (pictured above, left)

 

This 730-square-foot, one-bedroom unit In the Sedona condominium has a private balcony and washer and dryer. It has a marble bath and Caesar Stone kitchen counters. The building has a yoga studio inspired gym and is around the corner from Rao's restaurant and Patsy's Pizzeria. Monthly common charges are $352.

 

·         Asking Price: $455,000

 

·         Listing Agent: David Daniels of Corcoran

 

·         Open House: Sunday, July 18, 2 P.M.- 4 P.M.