Fun for All

Blog, 29. 10. 18

The best time to explore Manhattan is the fall, that brief and wonderful stretch between the hot days of summer and the snow drifts of winter. Residents at the newly constructed Harlem condos for sale at The Rennie have the perfect home base for enjoying one of Manhattan’s most historic neighborhoods. So, after you’ve settled into your perfect home at The Rennie, deck yourself out in your autumn best and take a tour of the neighborhood’s iconic architecture, restaurants, and performance venues:

Living History
One of the pleasures of living in a rich and storied neighborhood like Harlem is the feeling of being surrounded by history. And when you call The Rennie home, you won’t have to go far to experience it. Just across Adam Clayton Powell Junior Boulevard, along 138th and 139th Streets, is the St. Nicholas Historic District, known to most as Striver’s Row. These blocks of row houses, built from 1891 to 1893, were once home to groundbreaking entertainer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, composer and “Father of the Blues” W.C. Handy, and preacher and congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. himself. A glimpse at a New York that will surprise most city dwellers awaits at Harlem landmark Astor Row on 130th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues. Built between 1880 and 1883, this stretch of 28 row houses presents a truly unusual sight in brimming Manhattan: Each three-story brick building features a front yard and an enviably homey wooden front porch. And if you follow Adam Clayton Powell Junior Boulevard south and head east on 124th Street toward Marcus Garvey Park, you will find yourself in the Mount Morris Park Historic District. Stroll among the late 19th and early 20th century row houses, townhouses, and churches — treasured remnants of the Gilded Age.

Treat Yourself to Dinner and a Show…
After a day of soaking in the history in the neighborhood, you’re certain to have a healthy appetite. Why not swing by world-famous Sylvia’s, established in 1962 by Sylvia Woods, aka “The Queen of Soul Food,” where you can get a heaping helping of traditional fare that will warm the heart and fill the belly. If you’re looking for something quick and casual, the buffet at Jacob Restaurant is sure to satisfy your Southern and Caribbean cuisine cravings. In the evening, step out and take in a show at the legendary Apollo Theater, where amateurs perform for a tough crowd and stars are born on stage — legends Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown both got their starts at the Apollo’s Amateur Night. And for a taste of jazz history, jump on over to Minton’s Playhouse, the nightclub known as the birthplace of bebop. This musical landmark once hosted revolutionary jam sessions featuring, well, everyone — Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charlie Christian … Live music and tasty Southern-tinged dishes are served nightly.

…Or Take the Night Off
While Harlem provides a nearly endless variety of entertainment, sometimes you want to spend an evening in your own space, especially as the temperatures begin to fall. Fortunately, The Rennie is home to a suite of amenities that offers something for everyone: from a children’s playroom, to a rooftop lounge with grills and seating, to a spa for pets. As snow settles over the city this winter, residents at The Rennie will be able to keep themselves fit in the building’s state-of-the-art fitness center and stay entertained in the party room, which has a screening area and kitchenette for full-service entertaining. No matter the season, life at The Rennie is always an adventure.