East Harlem

Commonly referred to as “Spanish Harlem,” East Harlem is in the beginning of gentrification. The largest predominantly Latino communities in New York City, East Harlem includes the area traditionally known as Italian Harlem. The neighborhood has the highest geographical concentration of low-income public housing projects in the United States with 25% of its population living in public housing. East Harlem’s education system is defined by high drop-out rates and low test scores. Although crime rates have dropped significantly, they are still high along with poverty and drug addiction rates. Scarce supermarkets in the area make the neighborhood a “food desert,” with limited access to fresh, high-quality food. Luxury condos and co-ops are appearing next to East Harlem’s old tenements and public housing in the south, though, due to an influx of young urban professionals. Rents in East Harlem are inexpensive relative to neighboring areas, such as Yorkville and Carnegie Hill. Fierce crime fighting initiatives in Harlem and retail development efforts along West 125th Street have also accelerated the gentrification process, but East Harlem has yet to see any major changes.

64 EAST 111 STREET

Submit a photo or video