The redevelopment of Harlem’s Victoria Theater has been a long time coming, but finally, progress may be on the near horizon. The first new building permits went up for 233 West 125th Street today, on behalf of the Lam Group, which is developing.
Aufgang is the project’s architect, and the 26-story building will stand 300 feet tall; interiors will be split between a 172,067 square foot residential component, divided between 192 apartments, and a 203,120 square foot hotel.
While large retail boxes have predominated the urban infill along 125th Street, towers have been nonexistent. 233 West 125th Street will become one of the tallest buildings in Harlem, and the height is warranted both by surrounding mid-rise density, and excellent transit access. The site is located within walking distance of the A, B, C, D, 2, and 3 trains, and the 4/5 are also close.
Given this, the scale of 233 West 125th Street is actually underwhelming compared to what the site could feasibly hold, but it will nevertheless improve the rapidly-evolving 125th Street corridor. The original Victoria Theater will be restored and integrated into the site’s frontage along 125th Street, while the tower component will rise at the rear, facing 126th Street.
126th Street side of Victoria Theater development, via Aufgang Architects
Clearly, the old theater will be the main aesthetic draw, as the project is otherwise bland; the residential component facing 126th Street will be particularly monolithic, though it will certainly enhance the streetwall.
The Harlem Community Development Corporation’s page on the project lists additional details, and the development will also include two theaters, as well as ground-level retail space. Per Aufgang’s site, completion is expected in June of 2016.
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