A wave of new buildings and businesses continues to transform Harlem's 125th Street.
Glossy high-rises, like the 28-story Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel that opened last summer, have already significantly altered the skyline.
Major retailers arriving this year, including Trader Joe's, Sephora and Target, are behind the jaw-dropping changes at street level.
To track the latest shifts, TCU has taken a 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:
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 in 1968 at the same address. The building had its topping-out ceremony in October 2023.
Theater opening: 2027
5 W 125th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
This new food delivery concept allows customers to order from a variety of restaurants run by top chefs including Bobby Flay (Bobby Flay Steak), Jose Andres (Jota), and Harlem favorites like JJ Johnson (Bankside) and Marcus Samuelsson (Streetbird).
Opening: October 2024
17 W 125th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
The Cajun-style seafood boil chain now has a location on 125th Street.
Opened: March 2024
60 W 125th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
A fourth spot from the team behind Ponty Bistro, Renaissance Harlem and Harlem Cafe is "coming soon" to the ground floor of a rental development just east of Lenox Avenue.
Soft opening: August 20
66 W 125th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
The Guatemalan chain is known for its signature fried chicken served with sides like yuca fries and beans.
Opened: March 2024
100 W 125th St between Lenox Ave and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
The fast fashion chain shut the doors to its old location at 125 W 125th Street in August 2023, reopening a few months later across the street, right next to the Whole Foods.
Opened: November 2023
121 W 125th St between Lenox Ave and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
The glossy future home of the National Urban League is in the process of welcoming a long list of major retailers, including Trader Joe's, Target, Sephora and Pandora. A civil rights museum is also in the works.
Openings: Sephora opened on July 19; Trader Joe's Harlem opened on July 25; Pandora is also here); Target is opening in the fall and has started hiring.
124 W 125th St between Lenox Ave and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
The fast-growing chain, originally from Louisiana, is known for its simplified menu focused on chicken fingers, signature Cane's sauce, Texas toast, crinkle fries, cole slaw and drinks.
Opened: February 2024
130 W 125th St between Lenox Ave and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
The ubiquitous Chinese food spot recently opened in a single-story building that was once a Burger King.
Opened: winter 2024
144 W 125th St between Lenox Ave and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
The facade is complete on the new Studio Museum in Harlem building, designed by architect David Adjaye. Interior work is ongoing.
Opening: TBA
222 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Blvd.
The British sneaker and sportswear chain recently joined other newcomers like Nike and Snipes on 125th Street.
Opened: December 2023
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 2023
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 now open in the historic Thomas Lamb-designed Victoria Theater directly under the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel.
Opened: February 2024
248 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Blvds
Harlem's first licensed cannabis shop, which most of you greeted with open arms, is now doing business directly across the street from the Apollo.
Opened: October 2023
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—is just down the block from the Chick-fil-A that opened last year.
Opened: March 2024
321 W 125th St and St. Nicholas Ave
Opens: November
The fast-casual Mexican chain is set to open in the old Popeyes space (the fried chicken spot plans to reopen down the block).
362 W 125th St between St. Nicholas and Morningside Aves
This New Jersey-based gym will be opening in the sleek 12-story condo known as Eleven Hancock.
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. McDonald's is returning to the ground level.
Estimated construction completion: 2024
Thanks for updating us. I can’t wait for Target to open. I love all of the options we’ll have available. I was forced to move here for safety reasons. Thank God I found my home here because there was no peace where I was living in since the 80’s (I was born here though on 103rd and 2nd) here in East Harlem further downtown. God is good. He gave me a new home where I can have greater peace and safety here in Harlem still. I am so grateful. There is a reason why I found this apartment not any other first. I belong beside the people I know and love! God bless our community. Please pray we get al…
Too many corporate shops. Would love more mom and pop shops with creativity / personality - cafes, diners, a book shop, more healthy food options. Also agree with better gyms and work-out spaces.
We need better workout gyms
You forgot the Raising Canes chicken fingers joint!
Hopefully the residents will appreciate the new businesses coming to Harlem. I know I will as a long-term Harlemite.