| Hamilton
Heights, a Historic District, lies in upper Manhattan and
extends from 140th to 145th streets, from St. Nicholas to Amsterdam
avenues. Named for Alexander Hamilton, who once owned the land, the
Heights remained rural until near the turn of the century. Earlier,
in the18th century, the area drew wealthy merchants, who were attracted
by the beautiful views and who built racetracks and summer homes.
Urbanization followed the extension of subway service to 125th Street.
All the distinctive rowhouses in this area were built between 1886
and 1906.
Still exclusively residential, Hamilton Heights has row upon row of excellently maintained townhouses along quiet, graceful, tree-shaded streets. Buildings often stand behind stone terraces separating lovely front gardens from the street. A variety of building materials, colors, textures and rooflines are tastefully mixed, creating a picturesque charm. Many
houses were designed by renowned architects, including William F.
Mowbray, Adolph Hoak, Neville and Bagge, Henri Foucheau. Styles
vary and include Flemish, Tudor and Romanesque Revivals, new Renaissance,
classical, French and Italian Renaissance, and Beaux Arts, many
boasting elaborate ornamentation. Interiors are exquisitely appointed,
using some of the finest materials. Most are one-family; a few have
rental units.
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 above: On your way to campus (from the subway station on 145th Street) you'll pass by this house. This is where they filmed the movie "The Royal Tenenbaums". |
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| The
St. Nicholas Park area, roughly
bounded on the south by West 131st Street, on the north by West 145th
Street, on the east by Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard (Seventh Avenue)
, and on the west by St. Nicholas Terrace and Amsterdam Avenue, has
a rich brownstone tradition. A portion of the area (138th and 139th
from Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard to Frederick Douglass Boulevard)
is a Historic District. Another enclave of structurally sound brownstones
on neat tree-lined streets exists on 131st and 132nd between Adam
Clayton Powell and Frederick Douglas boulevards. These rowhouses were
built between 1884 and 1889 by the architectural firm of Clevendon
& Putzel, formerly located on 125th Street. The St. Nicholas Park area is well served by all major subway and bus routes, and the major airports are easily accessible. The main shopping area is located on 125th Street. Additional supermarkets and shopping and local retail needs are satisfied by shops in the nearby Lenox Terrace residential complex (Lenox and Fifth Avenues between 132nd and 135th streets) . The area is served by several public elementary and parochial schools and a variety of day-care centers. There are many impressive churches of various denominations; the upper Manhattan YMCA, Urban League, plus the Schomberg Center for Research are all landmarks in the community. Additional neighborhood anchors include the St. Nicholas Park and adjoining City College. Both
131st and 132nd streets are benefiting from urban renewal; examples
of recent subsidized new construction are the Lionel and Gladys
Hampton Houses, St. Philips-on the-Park and new senior citizen housing. |
 above: walking from 145th Street subway station to CCNY. It's about 5 blocks and you'll see a couple of the most beautiful buildings in Harlem (Convent Ave. between 145th and 140th Street). below: This
building is on St. Nicholas Avenue and 147th St. |
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