What is 1990 Lexington Ave?

What is 1990 Lexington Ave?

1990 Lexington Avenue, more commonly referred to as “Nineteen-ninety” by residents, is an East Harlem high-rise, constructed in 1974 [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=1990lexingtonavenuenue-newyorkcity-ny-usa] This red brick structure towers over Lexington avenue between 121st and 122nd streets—a short distance between New York’s Harlem and East River. While most of Manhattan is inundated with high-rise structures, they are few and far between in the uptown region of Harlem. In fact, with the exception of three towers along 1st avenue (adjacent to the East River) and the quadrant of the four Taino Towers (found between 3rd and 2nd avenues/122nd to 123rd streets), 1990 is the only other building in East Harlem to exceed 18 stories.

Standing 33 stories tall, with spectacular views of Manhattan, Central Park, Yankee Stadium, Randall’s Island, the East River and Upper East Side, and of course Harlem, this building is the length of a city block. Its red brick facing covers a solid steel construction, which somehow dampers any vibration from the Lexington Avenue subway line above which it is firmly planted. Like an oak tree in a forest of ferns, this scraper exudes an unwavering, utilitarian prowess. A monolith to a tough neighborhood with even tougher construction, 1990 will outlive many of its past and present tenants.

During the poverty and crime of the 1970s, the need for affordable housing hit Harlem harder than most any other neighborhood in America. 1990 was built to fill this very void. An alternative to the myriad housing projects of that surrounding area (of which there are dozens), 1990 Lexington Ave boasted large living spaces, high-rise architecture and best of all terraces. With a Section 8 voucher and some luck, tenants could look down their noses (literally) at the rest of the city who were subjected to sky-rocketing rents and defunct, decrepit living conditions. Furthermore, the modernity of the building post-dated steam heat, allowing for electric baseboard systems to be installed in every room of every apartment. Even air conditioner sleeves were spaced appropriately in all rooms. For the tenants, who were primarily all low-income, the fact that all utilities were included allowed for a very comfortable urban lifestyle. In short, the infestations, the scorching heat or bitter cold, the ubiquity of urban decay, was something that could have very easily been shut out of 1990 Lexington Avenue.