UPTOWNflavor

The Den by D. Bell

I just received word that one of UF’s favorite Harlem hangouts is moving. After five years The Den will be leaving their familiar Fifth Avenue address for a new home. Stay tuned for an update as to where The Den will be relocating. If you have the inside scoop  on the new locale please let us know.

Update:

A little birdy told us that they will be moving to 195 Lenox Avenue and reopening in late summer. 

That will mean that they will be right in the heart of the nouveau renaissance area in the same block as Settenpani and Il Cafe Latte. There has been some plywood up around one of the buildings on that block for a number of months now.

After doing a little digging around we uncovered that the new location was registered with the landmarks commission a couple of years ago.  Read the findings of the landmarks commission after the jump:

The Mount Morris Park Historic District Designation Report describes 195 Lenox Avenue as a Romanesque Revival style rowhouse built in 1887-88; and that in terms of its style, scale, materials, and details, it contributes to the special architectural and historic character for which the Mount Morris Park Historic District was designated. The Commission further noted that the original stoop was removed prior to designation.

With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that the construction of the proposed stoop will return a significant historic feature to the building; that, although the building historically had a box stoop, historic straight stoops exist on this block and in this district, therefore, the straight stoop will harmonize well with the
streetscape; that the proposed stoop will be constructed of cast concrete to match the color, texture, and rusticated blocks found on the building; that the installation of the proposed entrance doors and at the parlor floor will return the original configuration to the building façade; that historically the building featured a storefront at the basement level, therefore, there is historic precedent at this building for alterations to accommodate a commercial
use, and the proposed storefront will be in keeping with that precedent and with the commercial character of
Lenox Avenue; that the enlargement of the masonry openings at the basement to accommodate the storefront will
allow the windows to align with the windows at the parlor floor, thereby maintaining the fenestration pattern of the façade; that the storefront infill will be in keeping with the configuration, material and finish of storefront
historically found in this district.