What is Graham Court known for?

Graham Court is a historic apartment building in Harlem known as "Harlem's Dakota." It was considered Harlem's first luxury apartment house and is described as one of the signal achievements in the history of New York City apartment houses.

It is located in Harlem, Manhattan, along Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard (formerly Seventh Avenue) between West 116th and 117th Streets, specifically at 1923-1937 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard.

What is the history of the building?

Commissioned by William Waldorf Astor and built by John Downey between 1899 and 1901, the building was part of the Harlem real-estate boom. It remained under the control of the Astor estate until 1933 and was designated a New York City landmark in 1984.

What are the architectural features of Graham Court?

The eight-story building is quadrangular in plan with a central courtyard and a limestone facade styled to recall an Italian Renaissance palazzo. It features Gustavino tiles and originally included servants' quarters on the top floor.

How many apartments are in the building?

The building contains 800 rooms, which are currently divided into 93 apartment units.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Graham Court in New York City

What to know

Graham Court is a historic eight-story apartment building located on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard between West 116th and 117th Streets. Commissioned by William Waldorf Astor and constructed between 1899 and 1901, the building emerged during a period of intense real-estate boom in Harlem. Designed by architects Clinton and Russell and built by John Downey, the structure was created at an approximate cost of $500,000 to house the upper echelon of New York society. Architecturally, the building was styled to recall an Italian Renaissance palazzo to evoke an image of luxury. It is quadrangular in plan and built around a central courtyard, a layout that makes it one of the few apartment houses of this type in New York City. The exterior is defined by a limestone facade, while the interior features Gustavino tiles and originally included servants' quarters on the top floor. Throughout the early 20th century, the building witnessed the changing demographics of the neighborhood. While it remained under the control of the William Waldorf Astor estate until 1933, it was affected by the market collapse of 1904–05. Notably, the first Black resident moved into the building in 1928, marking a shift in the social fabric of the residence. Recognized for its architectural and historical importance, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated Graham Court as a landmark in 1984. The commission characterized the building as one of the signal achievements in the history of the New York City apartment house and a premier reminder of Harlem's urban development at the turn of the century.

Visitor tips

Walk the full length of the block between 116th and 117th Streets to appreciate the building's massive scale.
Look up at the top floor to imagine where the original servants' quarters were located.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as this stop is best viewed from the exterior of the boulevard.

Nearby context

Graham Court stands as a monumental anchor on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, representing the luxury residential aspirations of Harlem at the turn of the century.

Graham Court