They aren’t the most opulent residences in the neighborhood; Harlem has brownstones and townhouses much more ornate and in better condition. But the 28 homes stretching from 130th Street between Fifth Avenue and Lenox Avenue—otherwise known as Astor Row, after the Astor estate, which developed them—have a unique rustic, rural charm.
These semi-attached brick row houses look more Charleston than they do New York—set back from the street with lush front yards, shady trees, and wooden porches.
Built between 1880 and 1883, Astor Row was occupied entirely by whites until 1920, when black families began moving in. As Harlem decayed, so did the block. They were landmarked in 1981, and today, the houses are in mixed shape: Some appear to be restored and occupied, while others have fallen into neglect.
Tags: Astor Row, Harlem housing
August 25, 2008 at 3:50 pm |
I hope that they are all restored someday – they are outstanding houses. NYC has amazing little pockets like this- there were wooden houses on the Upper East Side, I think around 88th St. – I saw them once from the car, when I was a kid in the 70s. Don’t know if they are still around. I hope so.
Lidian
also of http://thevirtualdimemuseum.blogspot.com
January 13, 2009 at 4:41 pm |
Yes I own an brownstone on astor row( the property showed above) ,look toward to renovating moving back to my beloved harlem
January 13, 2009 at 4:48 pm |
Must be a neat place to live. The houses are so unusual for New York.
January 13, 2009 at 5:14 pm |
Yes very unusual ,the only Brownstones with front Porches