Friday, November 14, 2014

Harlem's Victoria Theater to Undergo $164M Hotel-Apt Conversion

The Empire State Development Corp. has announced that Harlem's legendary Victoria Theater will be transformed into a Renaissance Hotel by Marriott, with construction slated to begin in mid-2015. The historic structure on 125th Street near Frederick Douglass Boulevard will be topped with a 26-story tower that will house a 210-room Renaissance Hotel by Marriott and 192 apartments —half of which will rent at below market rates.

The $164 million project, which will include retail, cultural space and parking, is anticipated to create 700 construction jobs as well as 373 permanent positions, and is expected to be completed in 2017.

After 10 years of bureaucratic red tape, a new development is set to rise on the site of Harlem’s Victoria Theater at 233 West 125th Street.  The Empire State Development Corporation approved a multi- million loan for the project’s construction.

Keeping the former vaudeville houses’ World War I-era facade, the Lam Group has tapped Aufgang Architects to design the 26-story mixed use hotel and residential development.

The sprawling complex will include a gleaming 210-room Renaissance Hotel by Marriott that will feature a 5,000 square foot ballroom; 192 rental apartment -- half of which will be set aside as affordable housing; and 25,000 square feet dedicated to local cultural institutions.

The Victoria Theater’s south building will be restored and integrated into the site’s frontage along 125th Street, including the historic lobby, the grand staircase, beautiful circa 1917 facade, marquee and signage.

The development will also include 24,000 square feet of retail space at street level, a 99-seat and 199-seat Block Box theater, and underground parking for 90 cars.

The approximately 375,000-square-foot building will stand 300 feet tall, with 203,100 square feet reserved for the hotel, and 172,000 square feet for the residential units, which will rise at the rear facing 126th Street.

The $164 million project, which includes $47 million in public funding, is expected to be completed in 2017.

Renderings courtesy of Aufgang Architects


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