A wave of new buildings and businesses continues to transform Harlem's 125th Street.
Glossy new high-rises, like the 28-story Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel that opened in August, have already significantly altered the skyline.
Major retailers set to arrive soon, including Trader Joe's, Sephora and Target, are behind the jaw-dropping changes at street level.
To track the latest shifts, TCU took a long walk down the iconic thoroughfare between Fifth Avenue and Broadway.
Here are the most notable recent openings, plus what's still on the horizon, from east to west:
National Black Theatre redevelopment
2033 Fifth Ave at 125th St
This massive 21-story residential, commercial, and cultural development is set to be the new home of the National Black Theatre, founded at the same address in 1968.
Opening: 2026
17 W 125th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
A sign in the window says a new branch of the Cajun-style seafood boil chain is coming soon.
Opening: TBA
PB Brasserie
60 W 125th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
The fourth spot from the owner of Ponty Bistro, Renaissance Harlem and Harlem Cafe looks to be opening on the ground floor of this new rental development, according to work permits posted in the window.
Opening: TBA
100 W 125th St between Lenox Ave and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
The fast fashion chain closed the doors to its old location at 125 W 125th in August. New signs next to Whole Foods across the street point to an opening this fall.
Opening: November 2023
Urban League Empowerment Center
121 W 125th St between Lenox Ave and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
The glossy future home of the National Urban League will soon welcome a long list of major retailers, including Trader Joe's, Target and Sephora. A civil rights museum is also in the works.
Opening: Trader Joe's says it's opening "sometime in 2023," the rest are coming soon.
130 W 125th St between Lenox Ave and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
A construction sign on the facade of this one-story building features the name of this fast-casual Chinese chain.
144 W 125th St between Lenox Ave and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
The facade is now almost complete on the new Studio Museum in Harlem building, designed by architect David Adjaye.
Opening: TBA
222 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Blvd.
This British sneaker and sportswear chain is joining newcomers like Nike and Snipes on 125th Street.
Opening: TBA
Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel
233 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Blvds
Decorated with Harlem Renaissance-themed touches, this new 211-room hotel owned by Marriot includes a restaurant and piano bar on the fifth-floor lobby.
Opened August 26
233 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Blvds
Two new flexible performance spaces run by the legendary Apollo Theater are set to open in the historic Thomas Lamb-designed Victoria Theater directly under the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel.
Opening: TBA
248 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Blvds
Harlem's first legal weed shop, which most of you welcome, was set to open in early September but has encountered new legal hurdles.
Opening: Delayed
254 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Blvds
This rapidly-expanding Nashville-style hot chicken chain—investors include Drake and Samuel L. Jackson—recently hung a "Coming soon" sign on a storefront that's just down the block from the Chick-fil-A that opened last year.
Opening: TBA
600 W 125th St and Broadway
Columbia University's new 34-story building will house graduate students and faculty once it's finished.
Estimated completion: 2024
For daily updates, follow The Curious Uptowner on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
