2004-2008 Fifth Avenue

An extraordinarily well-preserved row of early brownstones dating from the 1860s, 2004-2008 Fifth Avenue were designed by Christian Brand as part of the initial development of Harlem from an independent village into an urban district and predate much of the later rowhouse architecture for which the district is famous. Despite this, they are, amazingly, not… Continue reading

2002 Fifth Avenue

A red brick box with lick-n-stick balconies, 2002 Fifth Avenue is little more than passable hackwork.

9-11 West 124th Street, The New York Public Library, Harlem Branch

Standing at 9-11 West 124th Street, the Harlem Branch of the New York Public Library is one of the numerous handsome branch libraries erected by the organization in the years during the construction of its main building at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue.  An elegant design by McKim, Mead & White, it balances austere detail… Continue reading