Harlem River Houses Celebrates Central Fountain Restoration and New Playgrounds

On May 16, the Harlem River Houses community celebrated the restoration of one of its historic central fixtures while welcoming new play areas for its young residents. 

The springtime celebration at the nearly 90-year-old Manhattan development marked the opening of two playgrounds in the central courtyard area as well as the completion of restoration work on the central fountain. The projects are among a host of comprehensive improvements taking place under the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program at Harlem River Houses and the adjoining Harlem River II campus. 

Festivities at the May 16 event included a reactivation of the historic fountain, a ceremonial flag raising, games, food and drinks, and a DJ. Representatives of the PACT partner team, including the nonprofit developer Settlement Housing Fund and West Harlem Group Assistance, presented the event to highlight the progress with development-wide renovations and express appreciation to residents and community partners. 

The fountain restoration and new playgrounds in the central courtyard are among a host of development-wide improvements happening in the Harlem River community under PACT.

Apartment renovations underway through PACT include new floors, kitchens, appliances, bathrooms, windows, and lighting, along with various common area enhancements, building facade repairs, sustainability upgrades, and social services. A key focus of the improvements is the restoration of historically significant features on the property, including the central fountain, as per historic preservation regulations.  

After restorative work on the central fountain was completed, a new activator system was installed to program the fountain for activation at certain times of day. Among other recently completed improvement projects, the central courtyard playgrounds received safety surfacing, new play structures and equipment, and new fencing around the perimeter. 

Built between 1936 and 1937, Harlem River Houses is the first federally funded, built, and owned housing development in New York City. The development, which was created to provide quality housing for working-class African Americans, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 for its significance in the areas of architecture, community planning, and social-humanitarian history. Harlem River Houses was designed by John Louis Wilson, the first African American graduate of Columbia University’s famed graduate school of architecture.