The Victoria Theater Project
Receives Innovative Development Project Award
A focal point for the Harlem community, the Victoria Theater has been a diamond in the rough. Plagued by community lore and abandonment, for decades this site has stood as an example of the challenges Harlem endures, and this community’s infinite potential. After decades of attempts to develop this site, an innovative team of developers including the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone; the Harlem Community Development Corporation; Community Preservation Corporation; the Lam Group; Danforth Development Partners LLC; Exact Capital; and Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, LLP — has formed an alliance to redevelop this Harlem jewel. In addition, HCCI leveraged its experience as an affordable housing developer to provide the project with $12.6 million in low income housing tax credits.
The rehabilitated site will boast space for local cultural groups; 229 residential studio, one and two-bedroom rental units; a 2108 key select service hotel that will include a 5,000 square foot ballroom as well as dining and entertainment spaces; a retail restaurant and jazz club; and parking for approximately 90 vehicles.
The cultural space will provide a 199-seat black box theatre and a 99-seat flexible performance space, as well as exhibit and rehearsal spaces, a public lobby/event space, scenery and costume shops, meeting and educational spaces, dressing rooms, other backstage spaces, and a box office. This cultural arts condominium will be designated for use as a cultural arts facility for the life of the development. The initial cultural arts organizations chosen to occupy the space include the Apollo Theater Foundation, the Harlem Arts Alliance, the Classical Theater of Harlem, and Jazzmobile.
