Condo That Replaced Renaissance Ballroom Launches Sales: Report

HARLEM, NY — The condo development that stands on the site of the former Renaissance Ballroom in Harlem has started selling its apartments, according to reports.

The development — dubbed "The Rennie" in homage to the building that was demolished to make room for it — contains 134 apartment units, Curbed first reported. The apartments start at $589,000 for a studio and many of the units climb above the $1 million asking range, according to the development's website. The most expensive unit is a $1.89 million penthouse, according to the building's website.

The Rennie is being marketed at Harlem's newest luxury building, featuring amenities such as full-time staff, access to a rooftop lounge and a party room, a pet spa, a fitness center and a children's play room.

The original Renaissance Ballroom was built in the 1920s and became one of the neighborhood's legendary jazz venues. The building featured a ballroom, a theater, stores, restaurants and was the home court for a basketball team known as the Harlem Rens.

The entertainment complex was the first of its kind owned and operated by African-Americans, according to an Untapped Cities article from 2014. In the 90s, the city Landmarks Preservation Commission agreed to designate the building, but the designation did not pass into law, according to the article.

The Renaissance Ballroom was badly dilapidated by the time is was demolished in 2015 after decades of neglect.

Photo by Google Maps street view.