Landmarks Preservation Commission July 13, 1993; Designation List 252 LP-1843 HOTEL THERESA (now Theresa Towers) 2082-2096 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard (Seventh Avenue), Borough of Manhattan. Built 1912-13; architect George & Edward Blum. Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 1930, Lot 30. On July 15, 1991, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the proposed designation as a Landmark of the Hotel Theresa and the proposed designation of the related Landmark Site (Item No. 10). The hearing had been duly advertised in accordance with the provisions of law. Two speakers testified in favor of designation. A representative of the owner spoke in opposition to designation. Eight additional speakers were in favor of the designation of this and the other items on the calendar at the hearing but urged the Commission to continue its work in Harlem. Numerous letters have been received expressing the same sentiments. DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS Summary The Hotel Theresa, built in 1912-13, was one of the major social centers of Harlem, serving from 1940 until its conversion into an office building in the late 1960s as one of the most important institutions for Harlem's African-American community. In addition to its historical importance, the hotel is a major work of the noted architectural firm of George & Edward Blum, and it exemplifies this firm's singular approach to ornamentation and inventive use of terra cotta. Although planned primarily as an apartment hotel, the Theresa also welcomed transient guests. In addition, the hotel contained a two-story dining room used for banquets, weddings, meetings, and other functions, and a bar and grill that became a major social center for Harlem's black celebrities during the 1940s and 1950s. During these decades, the Theresa was known as the "Waldorf of Harlem," playing host to many of America's most prominent black social, political, entertainment, and sports figures, as well as to many foreign dignitaries. The Theresa was also home to important Harlem institutions, including the March Community Bookstore and Malcolm X's Organization of Afro-American Unity. The Theresa entered the national limelight in 1960 when Cuban premier Fidel Castro chose to stay at the hotel while visiting New York to speak at the United Nations General Assembly; while at the Theresa, Castro hosted a visit from Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev. Encompassing the entire western blockfront of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard (originally Seventh Avenue), between West 124th and West 125th streets, the Theresa is one of the most visually striking structures in northern Manhattan with its projecting bays, arched surrounds, and prominent gables.

Harlem and 125th Street: remained vacant until the 1890s and first years of History and Development1 the twentieth century. The village of Harlem, originally known as During the era of major development in Nieuw Harlem (named for the Dutch city of Harlem, following the opening of the elevated Haarlem), was established by Dutch governor lines, 125th Street began to take on the character Peter Stuyvesant in 1658. The village boundaries of a regional main street. Every one of the transit incorporated much of northern Manhattan, lines that ran through Harlem had a station on extending as far south as what is now East 74th 125th Street. By 1885, several of Harlem's Street near York A venue. Although by 1683 important institutional, cultural, and commercial Harlem was considered a part of the city and organizations had built or rented space on the county of New York, it remained a relatively street. This was especially true in East Harlem unpopulated area of farms and estates until after where there were several important churches, the the Civil War. Major development was spurred by architecturally distinguished headquarters of the the opening of transit lines connecting the Mount Morris Bank (a designated New York City community with the larger city of N

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