Apollo Theater could expand into planned commercial building next door

The non-profit that owns Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater at 253 West 125th Street is negotiating with the developer of a three-story commercial building next door to expand into part of the planned space, according to the Wall Street Journal. The developer, Grid Properties, which was also behind the Harlem USA retail and entertainment complex on 125th Street, is in talks to sell the third floor of the building to the Apollo Theater Foundation, which is trying to raise $12 million so that it can use the space for administration and community education programs. Grid would lease out the remaining space to other retailers. If the Apollo deal goes through, construction could begin at the long-vacant site within six months. The lot used to house the Showman’s Café jazz club, before it burnt down in 1985. [WSJ]