Tapestry in East Harlem

"Weaving In & Out" courtesy of No Longer Empty

This week, Senior Retail Specialist Elliott Dweck and I took the 6 train uptown to 125th Street to show one of Besen Retail’s premier exclusives, Tapestry in East Harlem.

Fresh off of a brand new construction, Tapestry clocks in at approximately 8,500 square feet of divisible retail space for lease, and boasts 19 foot ceilings and indoor parking. The space is currently on the market, but at same time is being occupied by  No Longer Empty, a non-profit organization that arranges public art exhibits inside temporarily vacated retail locations. After showing the space we took some time to admire the beautiful pieces of artwork on display. Here are a some pictures of our favorites. If you like what you see, take a trip down to Tapestry on 124^th Street and 2^nd Avenue to see the entire exhibit before its gone!

Exhibit Hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays from 12PM- 7PM

Taste Harlem

Where can you sample authentic African, African-American, Spanish, and Jamaican food all in one place? One of Manhattan’s most underrated neighborhoods, Harlem. Try the “Taste of Harlem Walking Tour,” where you can try a little bit from some of the area’s best eateries, while seeing some historic sights along the way. The tourguide Neal Shoemaker told Time Out New York, “I feel sometimes like I’m Mr. U.N. I mean, Kentucky kids eating authentic African food? It’s so cool! They’re not going to get that in Louisville.”

Tours meet at the Harlem Heritage Tourism & Cultural Center at 104 Malcolm X Boulevard. On the way back, go a bit east to space for lease Tapestry at 124th Street and 2nd Avenue. With about 8,500 SF for lease, it’s perfect for your restaurant or other retail use. Perhaps you can be a future stop on the tour!

-Caitlin

Signs up on Tapestry!

Retail Specialists Elliott Dweck, Evan Silver and I braved the heat to put up signs at one of our latest projects, Tapestry in East Harlem. I was there for art direction and moral support, but secretly took pictures instead. Take a look at the process and the end result:

"Evan! Hold it!"

Trying the "Smooth Down from the Top Method"

The finished product

Take a look at our signs for yourself at 245 E 124th Street at 2nd Avenue. With about 8,500 SF available for lease, it’s the perfect spot for your restaurant, clothing shop, grocery store, or other retail use.

-Caitlin

Red Rooster Flocking to Harlem

Chef Marcus Samuelsson (picture via Wall Street Journal)

Recently named contestant on Bravo’s television series, Top Chef Master, Marcus Samuelsson is making plans to open his restaurant “Red Rooster” in Harlem. A speakeasy-style eatery serving up farm-to-table fresh food, the restaurant is expected to make its debut around Labor Day.

“I’m just excited to introduce Harlem through food. There are some storytelling restaurants there and we’re the new kid on the block who can add our experience to it,” Samuelsson said. While the television series and the restaurant are both exciting upcoming experiences, the restaurant will not tie into the show in any way.

Need an uptown location for your restaurant just like Samuelsson? Check out one of our latest projects, Tapestry, on the corner of 124th Street and 2nd avenue. With about 8,500 SF of retail space for lease in a growing neighborhood, it’s the ideal spot for your eatery!

-Caitlin

Join the Society

Society Coffee (picture via NY MAG)

You’ve waited in line at Stumptown, you’ve sipped at Abraco, and you’ve gotten your caffeine fix at both Ninth Street Espresso locations, but you’re looking for more. Try going north to Society Coffee in Harlem. A coffee shop “about people meeting, thinking, writing, talking and watching,” it was started by a group of creative artists and professionals, and is the ideal spot to enjoy a cup and a slice of cake with friends.

On top of the extensive coffee and tea menu, Society also offers brunch, dinner, and dessert menus. Their famous “Stuffed French Toast,” is worth the $13, as it’s stuffed with Mascarpone, banana puree, chopped strawberries, and blueberries. The shop is located at 2104 Frederick Douglass Boulevard. After your coffee, head over to see Besen Retail’s latest project, Tapestry on the corner of 124th Street and 2nd Avenue. With 8,000 SF available for lease, it’s a fabulous location for your restaurant, market, or other retail use.

-Caitlin

Underrated East Harlem

Nectar Wine Bar in East Harlem

Do you rarely venture North of the Upper East Side? Time to change that! Filled with fabulous restaurants and shops, East Harlem is an underrated Manhattan neighborhood that you need to take some time to experience. Want to try it but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, I’ve picked out some must-visit stops for you to test. Take a look!

El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue at E 104th Street

Discover the cultural landscape of the Caribbean and Latin American communities at El Museo. Looking more like an aprtment building than a museum, El Museo del Barrio homes some of the most unique Latin performing and visual artists in the world. Current exhibitions include “Nuevo Cine: Recent Films from Latin America,” and “Voces: Conversations with Latino Artists.” Added bonus? Admission is only $6 for adults and $4 for students and seniors.

Lloyd’s Carrot Cake Cafe, 2051 Second Avenue

Described by The Examiner as “the best damn carrot cake in Harlem,” Llloyd’s Carrot Cake Cafe is serving up the freshest carrot cake you’ve ever had. Choose between a thick slice with nuts and raisins at $2.75 or without for $2.25. Carrot not your thing? The bake shop also offers other flavors, like red velvet, German chocolate, and coconut. All baked goods are made fresh daily without preservatives.

Costco, 517 E. 117th Street

Ok, so it’s not a cool and trendy place to visit. But Costco is the ultimate destination to buy cheap and in bulk, which is rare to find in Manhattan. While many might visit the store to buy a 124 pack of toilet paper or a giant case of bottled water, the East Harlem Costco also sells designer luxury goods like Seven for All Mankind denim and Louis Vuitton handbags. Don’t have a car to transport your goods? Cabs are always on hand ready to cart you home.

Nectar Wine Bar, 2235 Frederick Douglas Boulevard, E 121st Street 

Harlem’s first wine bar, Nectar offers a cozy and modern space to share a bottle of your favorite merlot or chenin blanc. The bar also includes a choice of a savory or sweet menu. The savory an extensive list of meats and cheeses, and the sweet a selection of Jacques Torres chocolates. Not a wine person? Order one of their craft beers, organic coffees, or teas.

After your East Harlem trip, make sure to stop by our latest space for lease at East 124th Street and 2nd Avenue, “Tapestry.” A brand new, eco-friendly building with approximately 8,500 SF for lease, it’s perfect for your supermarket, restaurant, or other retail use.

-Caitlin

Introducing… Tapestry!

Let me introduce you to Besen Retail’s latest project, Tapestry– a brand new, eco-friendly, mixed-use building under construction in Harlem. Situated at 245 East 124th Street at the foot of the RFK Bridge, Tapestry is part of the 125th Street Corridor Rezoning initiative, an effort to infuse the area with cultural, retail, entertainment, and residential uses.

On top of the latest green technology, the anticipated LEED Gold certified building will feature energy efficient architectural design like rainwater harvesting systems, Energy Star appliances and mechanical systems, and green roofs.

Tapestry boasts 8,500 SF of corner retail space for lease, perfect for a supermarket, restaurant, daycare, or other retail use. With 19-foot ceilings, tenants have the freedom to build up for extra storage space. The property also includes 185 mixed-income apartments, 50 percent market rate, 30 percent moderate income, and 20 low income to serve economically diverse households.

Interested in leasing space in this busy Manhattan neighborhood? Call 212-213-6480 for leasing information, and visit Tapestry’s website.

-Caitlin