Harlem big-box retail store to open October '09
June 11, 2008 07:26AM
East River Plaza
East River Plaza, a former dormant wire factory in East Harlem, will be opened as a big-box retail complex in October 2009, 15 years after developer David Blumenthal purchased the site. The property, which runs from 116th to 119th street along Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive, will cater to stores like Costco and Wal-Mart. Home Depot and Target have already signed on, though Home Depot might sublet it space as it trims its expansion because of the weak economy. Blumenthal hopes to make the site as suburban as possible, going as far as to give the site's parking garage a parking lot feel with flat levels and bridges that connect the levels to the building. Blumenthal is developing the site with Forest City Ratner. [NYT]
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Comments
Anonymous
Will there even be pedestrian access to this site from the surrounding neighborhood? It sounds like they're trying as hard as possible to keep East Harlem from getting at their own stores. The Community Board there needs to be more pro-active about pushing for better design that respects the fact that this is in Manhattan, not suburbia.
Comment #1 Posted By: Anonymous 06/12/08
Thomas Lopez-Pierre
This will be good for Harlem. LiveUptown.com is a Harlem based real estate marketing website. Thomas Lopez-Pierre Managing Member LiveUptown.com
Comment #2 Posted By: Thomas Lopez-Pierre 09/22/08
Ms. M. Acosta
Does this include residential condos or co-ops for sale or rent? I am seriously looking to buy a condo or a rent-stabilized co-op, such as the Farrington. I want to learn more about this new complex and if any apartments will become available. Thank you.
Comment #3 Posted By: Ms. M. Acosta 12/01/08
Howard
Rumour and some press reports have it that the East Plaza project will be killed. This is believed to be because of huge losses in the B. Madoff Investments funds by the Blumenthal Group and Forest Ratner.
Comment #4 Posted By: Howard 12/28/08