Loving, living, selling Harlem since 2004
The Early Days: My Harlem Real Estate Journey Begins
When I closed on a Harlem brownstone in 2004, I didn’t know it would be the beginning of a life-defining chapter. We bought a shell of a townhouse—just bricks and potential—and began a full gut renovation that would transform both the building and my future. That experience kickstarted my Harlem real estate career and my identity as a local expert, but more than that, it connected me to a community in motion.
We converted the home into a four-family residence, learning everything from plumbing quirks to party wall politics. But what stood out most was the spirit of the block—neighbors who were generous with their advice, contractors who became friends, and a shared excitement for what Harlem was becoming. On our street alone, five townhouses had dumpsters parked out front—five major renovations all happening at once. Harlem was humming with change. A few blocks away, new condo buildings were rising too.
To this day I cannot look at the heart forged into the iron gate on the stoop without remembering the artisan who created it for our family.
The First Condos, the First Lessons
The first Harlem condo I ever sold was at 380 Lenox Avenue in 2006. My client wanted an investment property. She was smart, but impatient—an investor trait that doesn’t always serve well. She paid $478 per square foot and sold it a year later at a loss. But time has a way of rewarding those who understand the Harlem rhythm. That same apartment recently sold for $715 per square foot.
Since then, Harlem has seen the rise of over 750 condo buildings. Some are boutique walk-ups; others tower 28 stories high. Their evolution reflects Harlem’s shifting demand: bigger floor plans, new amenities, and a growing appetite for luxury living in a neighborhood that once felt like the city’s best-kept secret.
Why Buyers Came—and Stayed
As prices downtown soared, Harlem became a haven. Buyers priced out of neighborhoods below 96th Street didn’t all flee to the suburbs. Many came north, lured by Harlem’s grand 19th-century architecture, extra space, and a strong sense of place.
In 2006, the average price per square foot in Harlem was around $500. Downtown? Over $1,100. It was a no-brainer for buyers who could see the opportunity—especially if they were willing to trade shorter commutes and more restaurants for the chance to build equity in a piece of Manhattan.
The condos of that era were simple: large rooms, basic finishes, and low carrying costs. In-unit laundry wasn’t a given. Common amenities were modest. But those early buyers knew they were getting in on something special. More importantly they cut their commute time down as the alternative was moving to the suburbs.
The Spark: C. Virginia Fields and Frederick Douglass Boulevard
Much of Harlem’s transformation started with visionaries like C. Virginia Fields, Manhattan’s Borough President in the late ’90s. She recognized Harlem’s potential and helped the city transfer ownership of properties along Frederick Douglass Boulevard to developers—many for little or no cost—with tax breaks to encourage revitalization.
In 2004, I sat at Café Des Ambassades with a café au lait and watched an empty lot across the street give rise to Brownstone Lane. Today, that lot is home to SoHa 118, with 90 condos and a Starbucks, Aldi, and Chase Bank at street level. Lido and Vinateria are neighborhood staples now—but back then, it was all vision and scaffolding.
That strip—from 110th to 125th—was rezoned for commercial use under Fields’ leadership. It transformed Frederick Douglass into Harlem’s restaurant row and development corridor.
A New Cool: 111 Central Park North & the Skyline Shift
By 2006, the buzz had turned into cranes. I was seven months pregnant the first time I rode a construction hoist to the top of 111 Central Park North. The views of the Harlem Meer and Central Park took my breath away—and helped redefine what Harlem living could be. Soon after, 1485 Fifth Avenue joined the skyline. That 26-story tower caused quite a stir; some loved the ambition, others mourned the scale. But it was a sign of the times: Harlem was growing taller, bolder, more confident.
The Crash, and the Comeback
The 2008 financial crisis hit Harlem hard. Condo financing froze, projects stalled, and dreams were shelved. A boutique glass-and-steel building called Windows on 123, once ahead of its time, struggled to sell units. It was a reminder that timing matters—even for great ideas in great neighborhoods.
But the pause didn’t last forever.
By 2010, construction resumed. Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster opened on Lenox Avenue, and suddenly Harlem wasn’t just affordable—it was a destination. The vibe was palpable. Guests arrived from across the tri-state area, drawn by the culture, cuisine, and charisma.
Prices followed. Harlem’s median price climbed from $456,000 in 2008 to $560,000 in 2011, then surged past $570 per square foot by 2012.
A Renaissance in Full Swing
On 116th Street, The Adeline rose on the site of a former basketball court—delivering 83 condos and 194 affordable rentals. Nearby, One Museum Mile by Robert A.M. Stern redefined the northeast corner of Central Park. Then came One Morningside Park, overlooking not one but two landmark parks.
Barbara Corcoran once said you could measure a neighborhood’s future by counting the cranes. In 2012, Harlem had cranes on nearly every block.
Circa and 145 Central Park followed, offering residents panoramic views from Harlem to Billionaire’s Row. Prices for Central Park-facing units crossed $1,700 per square foot, but buyers knew what they were paying for: front-row seats to Harlem’s continued evolution.
Why Harlem Still Matters
For all the change, some things remain constant. Harlem continues to offer more value per square foot than much of Manhattan—and those savings extend to monthly costs, too.
The 421-a and J-51 tax abatements weren’t just incentives for developers. They were lifelines for buyers, offering 10 to 30 years of lower property taxes. That edge made Harlem attractive not only to pioneers but to savvy investors and long-term homeowners alike.
In 2025 the average price per square foot for a downtown condo rests at $2,177 while prime Harlem continues to offer tremendous value at $949 per square foot.
Looking Back, and Looking Ahead
I’ve had the privilege of living, working, and investing in Harlem for over two decades. I’ve watched brownstones come back to life, condo towers rise, and small businesses transform into neighborhood anchors. I’ve guided buyers through deals, helped developers envision the future, and witnessed countless stories unfold—each one a part of Harlem’s evolving narrative.
Harlem isn't just where I work. It’s home. It’s where I raised my family, grew my business, and became part of something bigger than myself.
And after all these years, I can say this with certainty: Harlem still has heart. And it still has room for dreamers, doers, and those who believe in the power of place. If only Albany would bring back the 421-a tax abatement for condominiums (hint, hint).
