Former Harlem Savings Bank

May's #LandmarkSpotlight is the stately former Harlem Savings Bank at 124 East 125th Street. Built in 1906-07 by the firm Bannister & Schell, the Classical Revival architecture style is presented with a powerful granite façade. This style was common to many financial establishments built in NYC during this period, as it connotes a place of security and stability. The three-story, temple-front building is located on one of the primary commercial thoroughfares in Harlem. 

As one of Harlem's founding financial institutions, the former Harlem Savings Bank building is a significant historical structure that is currently in danger of being demolished to make way for a new mixed-use building. LEH is reaching out to the development team to encourage them to incorporate this significant structure into their new project.  Rehabilitation and adaptive reuse are powerful tools to preserve and celebrate the historic fabric of a neighborhood, while meeting the community’s goals for the future.

Remembering Cicely Tyson (1924-2021)

The Queen of East Harlem

Cicely Tyson, the beloved daughter of East Harlem, passed away in January at the age of 96. She was an American icon and award-winning actor who became a model for portraying strong Black women in her seven decades on the screen and stage. She was also an East Harlem native who took great pride in the neighborhood that helped raise her.

A lifelong friend of Tyson, Rev. Al Sharpton remembers her Harlem pride: “She would not let you talk about Harlem in a negative (sic). She did not leave Harlem to go mainstream. She made mainstream come and celebrate Harlem … and her grace and her presence spoke for itself.”

Ascendant Neighborhood Development, the fiscal manager and coalition member of Landmark East Harlem, is proud to own her childhood home at 178 East 101st Street, offering East Harlem ten affordable apartments within the 110 year old structure. 

LEH is currently working with local officials and community members to co-name East 101 Street from Lexington to Third Ave as Cicely Tyson Way and to officially landmark the building with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Committee. We are thrilled at the opportunity to celebrate her life and passion for East Harlem.

Recognition

Harlem Fire Watchtower at Marcus Garvey Park

The restoration project, overseen by Landmark East Harlem founding member Connie Lee, has received the "Excellence in Historic Structure Rehabilitation" award from the 2020 New York State Historic Preservation Awards. Read the official press release here.

Built in 1857, the noteworthy history of the tower, along with amazing preservation efforts spanning decades, show how community stewardship and placemaking can culminate in a win for preservationists and a welcoming space for the neighborhood to enjoy.

Now Available: Instagram Live Tour Video

From Cicely Tyson to Howdy Doody: Surprising East Harlem Sites

Led by Kathleen Benson Haskins, Founding Member of Landmark East Harlem, and Carey King, Director of Uptown Grand Central, this walk was created for the MAS Jane’s Walk 2021.

Uptown Grand Central is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming East 125th Street into a thriving corridor by delivering programs that put advocacy into action through collaborations with businesses, residents and neighborhood organizations across East Harlem.

In this tour you will virtually wind through the streets of lower East Harlem and discover surprising histories behind historic neighborhood structures while gaining a front row view of some of the culturally significant murals, mosaics, and other street art for which East Harlem is well known.

With the help of our friends at Urban Archive, we've put together a companion guide full of historical photos and more stories behind the tour stops.