Development Above Harlem's Victoria Theater Tops Out

HARLEM, NY — A hotel and apartment tower that's being built above Harlem's historic Victoria Theater has reached its peak, developers announced.

Construction on the Marriott hotel on West 125th Street has reached the development's 27th floor, Exact Capital Group and the Lam Group said in a statement. The development consists of two towers, a 26-story hotel and a 27-story apartment building.

“We are proud to be part of this development to revitalize Harlem. The topping of the building is a significant milestone in the project. We thank everyone involved from the local, municipal and state level that have helped bring this project to where we are today," John Lam, chairman and CEO of the Lam Group, said in a statement.

Lam added that the development will: "Provide additional economic stability and growth in the heart of Harlem in the form of local jobs and housing."

The shuttered Victoria Theater will be restored and used as the lobby for the Marriott hotel. The hotel's lower floors will also house a new 25,000-square-foot arts center and performance space as well as offices for arts-focused organizations such as the Classical Theater of Harlem, the JazzMobile, the Apollo Theater Foundation and the Harlem Arts Alliance.

The 27-story apartment tower will contain 191 units, half of which will be offered at below-market rates. Developers did not specify what rents the regulated units will be offered at.

Developers are spending $178 million on the project, which broke ground in April 2018. Funding for the project was provided by both public and private sources such as the Empire State Development Corporation, the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and Goldman Sachs.