6sqft reports that the block of East 126th Street between Madison and Park Avenues was once a rare, uninterrupted row of century-and-a-half-old brownstones. But many of them sat vacant in recent years, their windows boarded up and adorned with graffiti. One of these was number 58 in the middle of the block. In 2012, its roof was caving in and its floors collapsing. The city deemed it structurally unsound, as the Times reported at the time, and slated it for demolition. Despite arguments from local preservationists that this would destroy the historic block’s uniformity, the site was replaced with a new modern, mixed-use rental building that extends through to 125th Street. The building, which goes by 69 East 125th Street, topped off this past summer and now its 15 affordable apartments–20 percent of the total 75 rentals–are available through the city’s lottery process. They’re available to those earning 60 percent of the area median income and range from $659/month studios to $797/month two-bedrooms.
Greystone Property Development bought the lot in 2014, according to CityRealty, and rose quickly once construction first began in late 2015. Now being called Harlem 125, it was designed by Kutnicki Bernstein Architects, who employed a mix of facade materials and setbacks. It’s split between two towers: The 126th Street side rises six stories and will house a rooftop penthouse; the 125th Street tower rises 12 stories and will also offer 5,643 square feet of retail space.
Amenities include a landscaped rooftop deck, 24/7 virtual doorman, gym, bike storage, and laundry room. There will also be a 76-foot, three-piece canvas mural by local artist Lance Johnson inside the building. It’s the artist’s fourth project in the neighborhood, and as CityRealty explains, it will “feature acrylic, spray paint, and collage elements, and serve as a tribute to the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance,” including “images of musicians and dancers, as well as words from Langston Hughes’ renowned poem, ‘Dreams.’”
Qualifying New Yorkers can apply for the affordable apartments at Harlem 125 until March 29, 2017. Residents of Manhattan Community Board 11 will be given preference for 50 percent of the units.
Complete details on how to apply are available here (pdf). Questions regarding this offer must be referred to NYC’s Housing Connect department by dialing 311.
Use 6sqft’s map below to find even more ongoing housing lotteries.
If you don’t qualify for the housing lotteries mentioned, visit CityRealty.com’s no-fee rentals page for other apartment deals in the city. And find future market-rate rental listings here.
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