A. Philip Randolph Houses
Preserving and Rehabilitating a Historic Gem
A new face of pride has been given to New York City residents on the block of W 114 Street in Harlem. The old tenement buildings of A. Philip Randolph (Randolph Houses) that were once a prominent indication of Harlem’s crime and devastation have morphed into a symbol of innovation and growth for Harlem and its residents. The 36 buildings are now home to 283 units of public and private housing for mixed-income families.
The redevelopment of Randolph Houses is the result of a joint effort of federal, city and private financing to preserve the 1890s historic relic. West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc. (WHGA) alongside Trinity Financial were selected as developers of the project. During the preservation and rehabilitation project, Randolph Houses was added to the State and National Registers of Historic Places based on its significance to the evolution of Harlem and working-class New Yorkers. Because of this recognition, the five-story Renaissance Revival style structure is one of the most distinctive properties in the New York City Housing Authority’s portfolio.
The project had a goal to restore the exterior of the buildings and gut the interior to accommodate for more spacious, modern family living. It was divided into two phases; the reconstruction of the North and South side of the street. Phase I consisted of the gut-rehabilitation of 22 buildings on the South Side of W 114th Street with a total cost of $95 million. Phase II consisted of demolition and rehabilitation of 14 buildings on the North Side of W 114th Street with a total cost of $51 million.
Our vision and execution on this project has earned us the:
• Housing and Economic Development Award | 2018 Legislative Conference
• Excellence Award | Preservation League of New York State (2017)
• Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award | New York Landmarks Conservancy (2017)
Advancing our Resident’s Quality of Life
WHGA also serves as Randolph Houses’ Director of Program Operations. The Social Services department is located on the lower level of Building 214. Our myriad of programs are designed to address the needs of the diverse group of residents that dwell within the North and South side of the property. We place a special emphasis on workforce readiness, case management services, physical and mental wellness through the Yoga programs for children, adults, and seniors, financial literacy, education (afterschool program for homework help assistance), and creative arts for children and youth.
The success of our curated enrichment programs source from the involvement of our tenant association, other WHGA affiliates and local organizations.
Randolph Houses has a large senior community, many of whom have moved to the area when Harlem emerged as the cultural epicenter for black citizens and businesses. We host a number of programs that engage and celebrate them and their contributions to the community. As you stroll through the North Side of Randolph Houses you can see portraits of them lined along the lobby. These portraits are a byproduct of an Oral History project with Creative Artworks that allowed our teenage residents of Randolph Houses to interview and photograph several longstanding residents to tell their stories.
