New York Habitat Blog

New York In Song
“Uptown – The New Harlem” 

…He comes up town every evening to my tenement
Uptown where folks don’t have to pay much rent

This is an excerpt from the song “Uptown”, which was a hit for The Crystals in the 1960’s and for Bette Midler in the 1970’s.  Of course, a lot has changed since then. 

Since the 1990’s, Uptown Manhattan has been in the midst of a revival which has been called the new Harlem Renaissance.  The original Harlem Renaissance was a period of artistic triumph and creative vision during the 1920’s and early 1930’s.  This was a time when poets like Langston Hughes, novelists like Zora Neale Hurston and musicians like Duke Ellington helped shape the spirit of Harlem and, in the process, contributed to the culture of the U.S. and ultimately the world. 

But following a lack of investment in local businesses and residential housing, several communities in the area fell into a cycle of poverty and housing values suffered until the 1990’s.  By that time, the City government had assumed ownership of many abandoned lots and dilapidated buildings, and began luring investors to build new housing and substantially rehabilitate existing structures. 

New luxury rentals, condominiums and cooperatives have sprouted up in several areas in East, West and Central Harlem.  The architecture of old brownstones, townhouses and several truly beautiful churches have also been preserved and repaired.  This mix of the classic and modern styles creates a truly unique landscape.  Celebrities have even gotten into the act.  Magic Johnson invested in and opened a movie theater complex on Frederick Douglass Boulevard, and former President Bill Clinton has leased office space on West 125th Street for his private industry consulting firm since 2001. 

With all the activity, you certainly can no longer say that uptown “folks don’t have to pay much rent”.  Housing prices have continued to grow to reflect the enhanced values.  But there are still deals to be found.  To check out some of our apartment rentals in Harlem and uptown Manhattan, click here.  To view vacation rentals or bed and breakfasts in these areas, click here, and here for roommate share apartments. 

Here are some apartments:

• Nice studio (Ref #12062) on a block of renovated brownstones perfect for someone going to columbia and near to Central Park and the subway.
• One bedroom apartment (Ref #11785) with view of Central Park, near the Subway (outside the door), 24 hour doorman.
• Bed and Breakfast (Ref #11510) on Central Park north, 2 rooms available.
• Townhouse with 3 bedrooms and 3 floors (Ref #11557) close to Riverside Park, Broadway and convientient access to the subway.
• 4 Bedroom 2 bathroom townhouse (Ref #11038) perfect for a family, near to 125th Street and Lenox Avenues, offers a central location.

1. Video Tour of Central and West Harlem
2. Video Tour of Morningside Heights, Harlem, New York
3. Halloween in Central Park
4. Getting from the airport to your apartment in New York
5. New York City Hidden Gem: General Grant’s Tomb

This entry was posted on Monday, July 31st, 2006 in Harlem.
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