New Harlem office building will feature rooftop terrace, Trader Joe’s

If you’re tired of reading about the dire woes of the office market and understaffing, take heart. It’s not midtown or downtown Manhattan, but there are some brave new office projects on the horizon.

As a step forward for a new mixed-use project at 121 W. 125th St., co-development partner Taconic has launched a leasing campaign for the building’s 90,000-square-foot office. This is a bold addition to Harlem’s scarce office stock, and perhaps the only office stock. Class A property.

A marketing campaign conducted by Newmark began even before the completion schedule for several components of the 414,000-square-foot project was finalized, but a temporary occupancy certificate is expected to be issued this summer.

Asking rents haven’t been disclosed, but the new floors with advanced technology are likely to cost more than typical neighborhood rents of the mid-$40s to mid-$50s per square foot of older buildings.

Formally known as the Urban League Empowerment Center, the ambitious $242 million operation on bustling West 125th Street between Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Streets will serve as a venerable institution. new headquartersas originally reported.

There will also be 170 affordable rental apartments and a total of 90,000 square feet of retail space.

Office tenant amenities include an 8,000 square foot rooftop terrace.

The store includes Target and First Trader Joe’s in Upper Manhattan.

These reflect the strong retail energy along Harlem’s most famous street, with some stores vacant but the trajectory mostly upward.

Taconic partners with L+M Development Partners, BRP Companies and Prusik Group.

“With more and more companies moving from traditional office blocks to employee communities, this project is unique in that it creates well-designed offices in the heart of Harlem,” said Jane Lueger, vice president of Taconic. We will provide proposals to companies and organizations.”