The area of SOHA (South Harlem) is slowly turning into an extension of the Upper
West Side of Manhattan. Central Park West (which is really a
continuation of 8th
Avenue), once it reaches the northernmost end of Central Park at 110th
Street, changes names to Frederick Douglas Blvd and continues North.
At this intersection a new landscaped traffic circle honoring Frederick Douglass has just opened. This is where Upper West Side and
Morningside Heights merge with South Harlem. Many
of the buildings on 8th (Frederick Douglas Blvd) from 110th St-125th
Streets have been either renovated, newly built, or rebuilt. New stores, banks and cafes are opening weekly on 8th. 2009 saw the arrival of Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Chase and HSBC banks. A new Italian restaurant, a take-out fish restaurant, an upscale fusion restaurant, a bike store, wine store are all either opening shortly or already have opened for business. We have a terrific supermarket with its own cafe and living room area, complete with free wifi.
The neighborhood has been attracting many new residents who are
taking advantage of all it has to offer: two parks (Morningside Park
and Central Park) open space, proximity to Columbia University.
convenient mass transit, a major hospital, easy driving access north,
east and west out of the city, and lower real estate prices. Many landmark buildings and brownstones are in this area At the same time, 125th Street is rapidly becoming a major shopping mecca. Pres. Bill Clinton located his post-presidential offices on 125th Street, and major retailers (H&M, Marshall's , The Gap, Pathmark, etc) have opened. Additionally, for food enthusiasts, one of the city's premier grocers (Fairway), is at W. 128th Street and the Hudson river. Citarella, an upscale meat and fish market in the W 70's, has also opened up a shop on 125th Street. The Magic Johnson multiplex movie theater is at Fred. Douglas and 124th Street (a quick 9 block walk). Whole Foods has opened up a new store at Columbus and 98th Street.
Robin's Nest is in a great location because:
We are a short 5 blocks
from Central Park. You can walk to Columbia University, Barnard College, Jewish Theological Seminary, St.
Lukes Hospital, the Cathedral of St. John The Divine, 125th Street
(great shopping, The Apollo, Sylvia’s, Metro North RR), all the famous Baptist
Churches, etc.
There is a public library on the block, with
internet. The Post Office is around the corner on
W. 116th Street. Banks, dry cleaners, drop off
laundromats, hardware stores, supermarkets, health food
stores, etc. are all within a 5 minute walk. On our
corner is a bodega which carries food stapes and has a deli. There are 3 brand-new residential upscale buildings on our block alone, on either side of us, and across the street..
One of the best things is that in summer season there is a free outdoor
swimming pool in Central Park (the Lasker Rink/Pool) which is a 10 minute walk from Robin’s Nest. There are two children's playgrounds (newly renovated) within 5 minutes of Robin's Nest.
Excellent Transportation Options!
We are 1 short block from the B/C subway (116th St. ). Walk a little further or take the bus up to 125th St for the express A/D trains - from there it's 1 stop to 59th Street.
It’s approx. a 7 minute walk east to the 116th Street stop for the IRT trains 2/3 (4 stops to Times Square),
On 116th St and Fred. Douglas Blvd. are four different bus routes; crosstown, downtown and uptown.
On-street parking is available. Garages are in the neighborhood and there is a gas station on 110th and Fred. Douglas.
