Rich Black American history and comparable affordability next to Central Park
Situated just north of Central Park, Central Harlem is a vast neighborhood incorporating different subsections like the Mount Morris Historic District and the area between 110th and 125th streets, known as South Harlem.
Having played host to the Great Migration, the neighborhood has long been an epicenter of Black American culture. The area was built up after the Civil War but truly came into its own during the Harlem Renaissance, a period of cultural development that saw poets like Langston Hughes, musicians such as Duke Ellington and businesspeople including Madam C.J. Walker leave a lasting impact on their respective fields. Though this period of intense creativity and entrepreneurship eventually gave way to postindustrial economic decline, urban flight and discriminatory housing practices in the second half of the 20th century, Central Harlem has re-emerged in recent decades. “The late 1990s was the golden age here because the city government needed to offload a lot of derelict, burned-out and tax-deficient buildings in its control and so, organized open lotteries, essentially giving away townhomes and empty lots to help revitalize the neighborhood,” says Caryl Berenato, a broker with Compass who has been selling here since the mid-1980s. “It was done with the intension of fostering a sense of community and pride." Today, pre-war Beaux Arts-style and postwar co-ops are joined by widely restored turn-of-the-century brownstones and a whole host of new development luxury condos, especially in South Harlem. Yet much of this housing stock remains affordable when compared to other parts of Manhattan, especially those that line other sides of the park. "There’s still good value for young professionals and middle-class families,” says Dianne Howard, another longtime local and broker with Compass. Today, generationally rooted Harlemites are joined by diverse newcomers, including West African and recent European immigrants. “Regardless of whether they’ve lived here their whole lives or just moved in, they quickly become part of our community,” Howard adds.
Central Park North borders Harlem.
In Central Harlem there are a lot of different housing options to choose from.
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Eclectic eateries and essentials
Owing to its rich and diverse history, Central Harlem is home to a thriving dining and night life scene. While neighborhood stalwart Sylvia’s Restaurant and more recent South Harlem staple Melba’s put their spin on southern classics, Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant and New American bistro Clay give downtown foodies a reason to come uptown. Harlem Shake is a retro-style diner harkening back to the iconic lunch counters that once dotted every street corner. British pub-inspired eatery Edge is a popular gathering place for residents living in the northern part of the neighborhood. Central Harlem is crisscrossed by several commercial arteries such as Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 125th Street, a main thoroughfare lined with essential chain stores like Marshalls and Whole Foods. The vast neighborhood encircles microneighborhoods like Little Senegal, a stretch of West 116th Street with West African restaurants and specialized stores.
Sylvia's Soul Food Restaurant has served the Central Harlem community for over 60 years.
Whole Foods on 125th Street is a major supermarket in Central Harlem.
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Legendary performance venues and amenity-rich parks
Central Harlem has numerous cultural offerings, including the world-famous Apollo Theater, the alternative Maysles Documentary Center and the cutting-edge Studio Museum, an art institution specialized in work by talents of African descent which is currently under renovation. The ever-popular Shrine Bar remains a go-to for locals and visitors seeking out live jazz. Incorporating the soon to reopen Lasker ice skating rink and pool, Central Park’s North Woods section is a vital resource; a more secluded and peaceful part of this expansive 843-acre green lung. There are a few other parks and playgrounds spread throughout the neighborhood, most of which bear the name of famous figures from Black History. Marcus Garvey Park in the Mount Morris Historic District includes a pool, rec center and temporary installations created by local artists. Morningside Park forms a buffer between greater Harlem and Morningside Heights. Central Harlem is also imbued with numerous churches, some of which open on Sundays for the public and tourists to experience live gospel.
Popular Central Harlem performance venue Apollo Theater opened its doors in 1914.
There are a number of basketball courts at St Nicholas Park.
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Ornate brownstones and modern mid-rises
Central Harlem covers a large portion of Upper Manhattan and incorporates historical districts like Mount Morris Park. Restored Queen Anne brownstones in this 16-block quarter come with ornate details and marble flooring. These stately homes range from $2.5 million to $7.5 million. The section of Central Harlem dubbed South Harlem is increasingly defined by new development towers where sizable 2-bedroom condos cost between $1.5 million to $3.5 million. Homes with direct views of Central Park and located along 110th Street fetch a premium but nowhere near those in other park-facing neighborhoods. Throughout Central Harlem, 2-bedroom units in mid-rise Beaux Arts-style co-op buildings sell for $250,000 to $750,000. Income-restriction HDFC co-ops are also common throughout the neighborhood and according to Berenato, ensure that people who were born and grew up here don’t get priced out. “Central Harlem is a good neighborhood for first-time buyers due, in part, to great tax abatement incentives,” Howard adds. While the area has vastly improved since the second half of the 20th century when crime was rife, the Cap Index predicts that crime, specifically robbery and assault by weapon, remains slightly higher than the national average.
New condos can be spotted alongside prewar co-op buildings and townhomes.
One of the new immaculate condo buildings on Central Park North in the Central Harlem community.
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Quality schools cater to a diverse community
According to the Department of Education, Central Harlem has some of the best public charter schools in New York State. With an overall B-minus Niche rating, P.S. 175 Henry H Garnet elementary school excels in arts programming. With a B-plus score, Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy Charter School is another excellent option that promotes a socio-emotional learning model. Continuing to middle school at Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change, with a C-plus rating from Niche, students benefit from a state-of-the-art library. High school can be completed at Democracy Prep Charter School. With an A-plus Niche rating, the top-ranked school offers rigorous civic courses and college prep.
Central Harlem high school Percy E. Sutton Educational Campus has an A-minus Niche rating.
Thurgood Marshall Academy is a public middle and high school in New York City.
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Express trains to all parts Manhattan and beyond
“Central Harlem has great transportation links down the West and East sides of Manhattan,” Howard says. The A, B, C, D and 2 and 3 subway lines run up either side of the neighborhood. A trip to the Financial District takes just over 30 minutes. Connected through nearby East Harlem, the 4, 5 and 6 subway lines link directly with the Upper East Side. There are also plans to extend the 2nd Avenue Subway — the N, Q and R lines — up to 125th Steet and across to the Lexington Avenue stop currently served by the 4, 5 and 6 lines. Residents have easy access to Harlem River Drive, RFK Bridge and the George Washington Bridge; expressway connections that bypass much of Midtown’s rush hour and holiday traffic. The 125th Street Metro North regional train station offers frequent service to the northern suburbs, as well as a single stop ride to Grand Central.
The 125th Street, Lenox Ave stop in Central Harlem offers express service uptown and downtown.
From Central Harlem you can get to anywhere you need using public transportation.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dawn Frojen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Hancock Park
Picnic Area
Collyer Brothers Park
Picnic Area
Jackie Robinson Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Pool
St. Nicholas Park
Basketball
Bike Trails
Dog Park
Brigadier General Charles Young Playground
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Playground
Holcombe Rucker Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Playground
Martin Luther King, Jr. Playground
Playground
Marcus Garvey Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Dog Park
Percy E. Sutton Playground
Basketball
Trails
Playground
Transit
Airport
Laguardia
16 min drive
Subway
125 Street (2,3 Line)
Subway
116 Street (2,3 Line)
Subway
Central Park North (110 Street) (2,3 Line)
Subway
125 Street (A,B,C,D Line)
Subway
135 Street (2,3 Line)
Subway
145 Street (3 Line)
Subway
Harlem-148 Street
Bus
Adam C Powell Bl & W 148 St
Bus
Adam C Powell Bl & W 123 St
Bus
W 116 St & Adam C Powell Bl
Bus
Fred Douglass Bl & W 131 St
Bus
W 139 St & 5 Av
Bus
W 120 St & 5 Av
Bus
5 Av & W 138 St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Central Harlem
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
8
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Central Harlem, Manhattan sell after 139 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Central Harlem, Manhattan over the last 12 months is $956,575, down 5% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Showings are by appointment - please contact the listing brokerage Harlem Lofts Inc for your private tour.Built in 1888 1889 by Cleverdon & Putzel, this stunning Renaissance Revival Two-Family Brownstone house is situated in a highly desirable location in the Mount Morris Park Historic District. The house is 20 feet wide and 55 feet deep, and is divided into an Owners Quadruplex with
SAINT ANNE’S COURT PERFECTIONBEST DEAL IN TOWN AND PRIVATE STORAGE UNIT AVAILABLE!Welcome to 48 West 138th Street #5J – This HIGH floor eastern facing studio gets great light, and features beautifully finished hardwood floors, a gas stove. Saint Anne’s Court, a recent condo conversion in Central Harlem, combines stunning prewar architecture with modern finishes. Originally constructed in 1940,
A Turnkey Harlem Brownstone with Flexibility and Light Located on one of the most beautiful, tree-lined blocks in Harlem, 103 West 122nd Street is a fully gut-renovated, 20'-wide, three-family townhouse offering a rare combination of timeless character and contemporary design. Whether you're seeking a strong investment to add to your portfolio, a live-in income property, or a future
Attractively located adjacent to the Central Harlem West Historic District, this elegant Neo-Grec Three-Family Brownstone townhouse was built in 1910 and fully renovated in 2005. The house is divided into a Two-Bedroom Two-and-a-Half Bath Owners’ Garden Triplex with access to the Back Yard from all three levels, and two charming One-Bedroom floor-through rental apartments, for a total of 4,860
111 West 132nd StreetOwner says sell! Significant price adjustment - now $1,545,000, delivered vacant! The current price is $655,000 below the original ask. Contact Harlem Lofts Inc for your private showing!This lovely Queen Anne townhouse has a storied history. In the early part of the 20th Century it was the clubhouse for The Frogs, one of the first professional organizations for Black theater
Amazing condo on Central Park North. Fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, tiled bath with tub. Excellent closet space, beautiful hardwood floors that run throughout. You could easily convert this to a 2 bedroom and still have a large living space. An excellent investment. Building includes Part-time doorman (4pm-midnight), storage room, bike room, laundry in basement and newly renovated
Elevate your lifestyle with this stunning one-bedroom residence perched high above Central Park at 301 West 110th Str 14F. Imagine coming home each evening to breathtaking panoramic views of Central Park, framed by the glittering Manhattan skyline, perfectly showcased through expansive windows facing South East. Bathed in natural sunlight, this impeccably maintained apartment features brand-new
We are the community-oriented CO-LIVING that offers the easiest way to rent your room in multibedroom serviced shared apartment, with the possibility to move in even within a few hours after booking. As a SharedEasy member you have access to dedicated coworking spaces and an on-demand fitness app. You will also have the option for in-person access to more than 200 studios in New York for
Just one short flight up to this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in a brownstone with northern and southern exposures. The quiet, north-facing bedroom offers direct garden views, while the living room boasts open, bright southern city views.This unique home is just around the corner from the 2/3 Express Red line, a couple of blocks from the A (Blue line), and three blocks from the 4/5 (Green
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dawn Frojen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
96,325
Median Age
40
Population Density
127 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$52,591
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,744
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.3%
College Graduates
43.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
19.7%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
28°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
18''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
73/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
97/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
