Construction is finished on Ray Harlem, a 21-story residential building at 2035 Fifth Avenue in Harlem, Manhattan. Designed by Frida Escobedo Studio in collaboration with Handel Architects and developed by Ray and LMXD, the structure yields 222 mixed-income rental apartments as well as 27,000 square feet of cultural space owned and operated by the National Black Theatre. The development is located on a through-lot parcel between East 125th and 126th Streets.
All scaffolding and construction equipment have been removed from the site, revealing the completed look of the building and its multifaceted red brick façade and grid of recessed windows with black metal frames. The residential entrance is located at the northwest corner, and the doors to the National Black Theatre is directly adjacent beneath a large canopy.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Ray Harlem. Photo by Michael Young.
Amenities at Ray Harlem include a communal kitchen, coworking lounge, fitness center and yoga studio, a library curated by Phaidon Press, a living room lounge, outdoor terraces on the fifth and 21st floors, a TULU smart vending machine, and bike storage space.
Designed in partnership with Marvel Architects, the National Black Theatre will feature two auditoriums, rehearsal rooms, offices, classrooms, and a set-building shop. Interior fit-out for NBT is expected to begin this fall, with a grand opening scheduled for 2027.
Ray Harlem is the first project to utilize the City’s Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) bonus, which was created to support Harlem’s cultural organizations while encouraging mixed-income development along 125th Street. The building’s design team includes Studio & Projects, led by Little Wing Lee, along with contributions from Frida Escobedo and Ray’s in-house design team. The ground-floor and second-floor commercial spaces are available for lease through RIPCO.
The closest subways from Ray Harlem include the 2 and 3 trains at the 125th Street station along Lenox Avenue. Also nearby are the 4, 5, and 6 trains at the 125th Street station on Lexington Avenue.
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Rich red brick against the blue sky looks great!
Is that real brownstone?
‘Brownstone’ is brown, these are red bricks, take it easy with that LSD.
I’m not talking about the bricks. Brownstone, or any atobe, by definition are not bricks. You’re probably much more familiar with hallucinogens than I am.
I have yet and I doubt I ever will hear a comment from NFA that is anything but informative
You should both take LSD and talk this over.
Those are obviously metal panels painted to match the brick..there is no brownstone used here..
It gives that appearance of a reddish, brown stone type. I’m not sure if that’s actually the type of stone they used for the base, I’ll have to look into that. I recently viewed a unit and had a tour of the building. It is well done through and through, well thought out. The views are magnificent as it sits in central Harlem. There are also beautiful traditional brownstones on surrounding blocks. New home for the National Black Theater. Inside the building, with all its amenities, is an experience. An atmosphere that will foster community bringing people together within its walls. A whole world within itself.
Gorgeus building, I live half away.
True quality construction and detailing. I like that this building could be from the ’70s, but who knows. It’s very good design that looks like it’s been in the neighborhood for years. Thank you for the bird-safe glass too.
Bird friendly glazing/protection methods are required by code FYI for all new residential development.
125th Street getting some really nice new buildings.
love the base
Buildings like this mean ‘gentrification.’
Gentrification means improvement and beatification of an area.
WHO wrote that snarky comment about “red bricks” & “LSD”…comments like these bring such uplifting news straight to the trash bin…take it easy!
its not a dirty word.
improving the area.
and no, nobody got evicted and no one does from rent stabilzed, rent control, SCRIE, DRIE, IMD, NYCHA, Section 8 of which there are plenty in the area.
but you know that. virtue signalar
I am a disabled veteran and need an apt there I’m on a fixed income can you get me a Apt there please I’m tired of living in nycha Apt.
hello finger princess this isn’t an affordable bldg
Great. Love the color
Love the base and color!
Nice brickwork and brownstone that fits the neighborhood. Recessed balconies like this should be more common. Something about the southern elevation looks askew but it can’t be perfect I guess.
Definitely looking forward to having the theater back, and hopefully some quality retail!
Think the Metro North station will be more of a selling point than the subways.
Union built, I would imagine. Union building are built well.
why you not post my comments? Lea
Building offers a lot for tenants
You didn’t mention the income eligibility requirements