UPTOWNflavor

We’ve mentioned lots of upcoming luxury buildings on this site but the Kalahari has only been mentioned in passing. As it nears completion it is generating more buzz, most recently as a state of art multimedia mixed use condominium. Below is an excerpt from a recent press release:

Comprised of two 12-story buildings connected with a garden, Kalahari contains 129 premium one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, as well as unique duplex residences. Set for late 2007 completion, Kalahari pays distinct homage to traditional African art and culture, and honors the planet through its commitment to green design. With one-bedrooms from the mid $400,000′s and two-bedrooms starting in the low $600,000′s, Kalahari also offers the best value in today’s market.

“We are excited to unveil Kalahari, and pleased to offer luxurious, environmentally-friendly living in Central Harlem,” Mr. Brown commented. “With world-class amenities and finishes throughout, as well as proximity to celebrated historic landmarks and Central Park’s lush North end, Kalahari residences were designed with quality lifestyle in mind.”

Mr. Brown notes that Kalahari, through its architecture and environmental stance, will be an important addition to the pantheon of Harlem’s culturally significant institutions. From the renowned Apollo Theater to the stunning neo-gothic architecture of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, Kalahari joins some of the most distinctive landmarks in the City.

“The Kalahari is going to be a wonderful mixed-use residential development,” said Alicia Glen, Manager Director of the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group. “We are proud to support a locally-based team who are committed to revitalizing this Harlem neighborhood.”

Kalahari homes feature Bamboo-strip flooring, master baths with Kohler fixtures, marble tile and glass-enclosed showers, and select homes boast opulent powder rooms and balconies. Kitchens include shaker-style cabinets, volcanic-tone countertops with glass backsplash, and Grohe faucets with stainless-steel appliances. Many offer Kitchen-Aid Architect Series appliance packages, wine cellars and other luxury finishes.

One of Manhattan’s “greenest” residences to date, Kalahari utilizes wind-generated energy and on-site solar panels that supply an impressive 25 percent of the building’s energy. The property also features a fresh-filtered air delivery system, purifying air quality at a constant rate. Energy-Star appliances paired with the unique features of the residence reduce energy consumption by 30% below the New York State Energy Code.

Amenities include a 24-hour concierge and doorman, a landscaped green roof terrace and broadband wiring and services. Bold colors, textures, patterns and decorative motifs replicate traditional African painting, decorating and design. Extensive use is made of the powerful Adinkra symbol, borrowed from the celebrated symbols printed on woven clothing to communicate knowledge, values and feelings.

Kalahari’s ground-floor commercial spaces will include a movie theater dedicated to the African and Latino Diaspora and squash courts. An on-site attended parking garage is planned for the condominium as well, an unusual and convenient amenity for any Manhattan resident.

Residents will also benefit from the wide array of art galleries, museums, music and entertainment venues and cultural centers that now characterize Central Harlem, where a profound social and economic renaissance has taken shape in recent years.

View the photo gallery of the Kalahari here.