St. Nicholas Historic District

St. Nicholas Historic District comprises residential townhouses with red brick facades and decorative details arranged across two parallel streets. The buildings display a mix of Georgian Revival, Colonial Revival, and Italian Renaissance architectural styles.

The townhouses were constructed between 1891 and 1893 for affluent white residents. Beginning in 1919, they became available to African American buyers, opening the path for the neighborhood to become a center of Black artistic and intellectual life.

This neighborhood became home to African American artists, musicians, and writers who shaped cultural life during the Harlem Renaissance. The presence of these creative minds made the district a hub of artistic activity and intellectual exchange in the city.

The district sits between two major boulevards and is easily walkable, with clear sidewalks and good signage marking the historic streets. The area is active throughout the day and offers multiple angles to photograph the characteristic architecture.

The facades still display stone posts and markings that once indicated where horses could be tied. These details are remnants from an era when such practical features were part of the urban infrastructure.

Location: Manhattan

Architects: James Brown Lord, Bruce Price

Architectural style: Colonial Revival architecture

Address: West 138th Street and West 139th Street

GPS coordinates: 40.81810,-73.94360

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:30