2. Fields Court

Fields Court, located at 1878 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard

Fields Court is another building that has experienced Harlem’s twist and turns.  Completed about 1900 at West 114th Street and “Seventh Avenue Drive,” it was originally named for Victor Hugo. It came into City ownership in the 1970s after the landlord neglected maintenance and failed to pay taxes.

With the help of Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, the residents became owners of the building by establishing a low-income cooperative in 1997.  The building was renamed Fields Court in honor of her role.

The future of the building appears unclear. New owners are required to meet income requirements, but a recent unit listing asserts that the low-income restrictions will expire in six years. This would provide a windfall for current owners when they sell, but would end the building’s role as a provider of affordable housing.