An epicenter of history within Manhattan, Harlem has embraced its Old New York roots while making advancements towards a prosperous future. Officially, Harlem stretches from the East River to the Hudson River and goes as far north as 155th Street, where it meets Washington Heights. Its southern border can be defined as 110th Street, at the northern boundary of Central Park or 96th Street, on both the east and west sides.

The Apollo Theater, which opened in 1934 on 125th Street, is emblematic of the neighborhood’s historical value. A former burlesque site, it is “the place where stars are born and legends are made.” Harlem and the Apollo launched the careers of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross. There is no better historical pedigree than this and, of course, fashion and food follows culture. Recent residential development and retail expansion has brought chic storeowners, star chefs and curious shoppers to the burgeoning neighborhood. Designers, restaurateurs and hoteliers are circling, seeking the perfect positioning for a new space to break into this emerging area – of course everyone wants to be on the cutting edge. Noteworthy pioneers currently seeking digs include Levi’s, J. Crew and Crewcuts, as well as Hollister.

N, a two-floor boutique purveying cutting edge clothing by homegrown designers, and top-shelf apparel, accessories, beauty and home décor befitting a Madison Avenue boutique, is situated at 116th Street and Seventh Avenue, in the heart of Mount Morris Park, the 6-block area from 118th Street to 124th Street between Fifth and Seventh Avenues. Residential values along this corridor are soaring, and N is answering the demand for upscale retail. Other new boutiques are also happily moving north, making Harlem a destination for shoppers’. At 135th and Seventh Avenue, Pieces features trendy denim and chic shoes. Bourgeoisie, a high-end women’s shoe shop is at 138th and Seventh Avenue, while House of Hoops, the hybrid store from Nike and Foot Locker, is open at 125th Street and Eighth Avenue. Residents are working out at the newly opened Planet Fitness at 126th and Martin Luther King Boulevard. Soha Style graces 116th and Fifth Avenue, where new residents can find chic home décor.

Renowned restaurateurs including Danny Meyer and Keith McNally and celebrity chefs such as Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali are circling the neighborhood. Before long, their restaurants could be as sought-after as Balthazar. High-end neighborhood conveniences are also making their way to Harlem, including coffee giant Starbucks. Having just opened in the Langston, a new condominium development on 145th Street, many more are planned for the area. Banks, banks and more banks are settled all around Harlem. Citibank led the charge, followed by Chase, Washington Mutual, and Capital One, among others. Wachovia Bank will open its first East Harlem branch in The Bridges NYC, a new luxe condominium development on Third Avenue.

Along with the bank boom, new residential developments are also welcoming major offices. Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care will have an outpost at 2002 Fifth Avenue. The Veterans Center will also open in The Bridges NYC. Sports offices plan to open in the neighborhood, further boosting its desirability. Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association are making plans.

Residential development is thriving, with Loft 124, SoHo North, and the Dwyer complementing The Bridges NYC and the Langston. Retail surrounding these projects includes Duane Reade, Pathmark, Harlem Vintage, and New York Sports Club. Two major hotels are currently under construction in Harlem. At 125th and Fifth Avenue, Hotel 124 is the first new hotel in Harlem in more than 40 years. The W Hotel may be the name attached to new construction at 124th and Eighth Avenue. In a major effort to incite additional community growth, Harlem is inaugurating a monthly market, displaying works by 50 cutting edge designers of men’s and women’s apparel, jewelry and home décor. Entitled the Uptown Emerging Designers Market, the fair will take place on the third weekend of each month. Patrons will enjoy music by guest hip hop DJs, complimentary cocktails and free gift bags.

The transformation in Harlem was prompted by Magic Johnson’s theater on 125th Street, developed in a joint venture with Sony. That same year, the area’s first shopping mall for national retailers called Harlem USA opened. The 285,000 square-foot complex is at the intersection of 125th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard. Other early entries to the area, including The Body Shop and Carol’s Daughter, were integral to the Harlem’s retail renaissance. I have long heralded Harlem’s retail resurgence, which is well underway, as fashionable boutiques, home accessories stores, chic restaurants and specialty food markets are opening every day. More and more shoppers are saying “ Take me home to Harlem!”