The announcement's been made before (not just once, twice, or even three times), so Wednesday's declaration by state officials that work will begin in mid-2015 on transforming Harlem's Victoria Theater begs the question: is it actually for real this time? It seems legit enough (but we've been duped before.) If indeed the announcement means business, by 2017, the historic Harlem structure on 125th Street near Frederick Douglass Boulevard will be topped with a 26-story tower designed by Aufgang Architects that will together house a Marriott Renaissance hotel, 200 rentalsa full 50-percent of which will be below market rate, and retail, cultural space, and parking, NYDN reports.
The $164 million project is being financed in part with $47 million in public funding and with a $10 million loan for the hotel's construction from the Empire State Development Corporation.
In its redevelopment, the historic theater's south building lobby, façade, marquee and signage will be restored.
· Harlem's legendary Victoria Theater set to be transformed into Renaissance Hotel by Marriott, construction to begin next year [NYDN]
· All Victoria Theater coverage [Curbed]
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