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
May 4, 2011 at 3:54 am |
[…] Place, Astoria, and Astor Row in Harlem all bear his […]
January 17, 2013 at 8:08 pm |
Finally my prayers have been answered ,My dream of moving back to Harlem. Starting my renovation of this Home will begin this Spring,it’s been a long wait. With prayer all things are possible .
May 9, 2013 at 1:22 am |
Hello Mrs. Jutiniano, My name is Novak Vukasinovic and my family and I own and live in a brownstone located on 15 West 131st Street. I would love the chance to talk to you about the Astor Row house that you own. My direct phone number is 646-241-9139. I would appreciate your call. Best regards.
February 21, 2014 at 4:39 am |
It looks like you did not move back to NYC. How did you get this house? I am interested in buying one and what I can see so far is that there are 3 who are neglected. Would love to rebuild one of them.
February 15, 2013 at 12:40 pm |
Nina would you be interested in selling your home to me and my family? Or do you know of anyone in that neighborhood that is looking to sell? We love the neighborhood, it is so charming and wonderfull.
May 21, 2014 at 3:49 pm |
hi all not selling my brownstone thanks again
September 10, 2018 at 10:56 am |
[…] via Astor Row: The country homes of Harlem — Ephemeral New York […]