Harlem Stage has received a $17,500 Emergency Preservation Grant for urgent repairs to the roof of its historic home—the Croton Aqueduct Gatehouse at Convent Avenue and 135th Street.
The gatehouse, built between 1884-1890 has housed the Harlem Stage Gatehouse, a magnificent and popular performance space, since 2006. The building was originally constructed to regulate the flow of water coming from the main aqueduct to pipes leading to the Central Park reservoir and to other localities in northern Manhattan. The Romanesque Style building was originally open to the public, who could view the rushing water beneath their feet through special viewing wells. The gatehouse was vacant for many years until it was taken over by Harlem Stage and converted to a performance venue with the help of the City’s Department of Cultural Affairs. The exterior and interior were restored as part of the adaptive reuse and the work received a Lucy Moses preservation award.
Today, the theater is booked with music, dance and theater events but its interiors are threatened by several roof leaks from broken roof slates and damaged gutter flashing. Two of the leaks occur directly above main electrical service panels and distribution boxes, which are protected only by plastic tarps from the water. Buckets to collect the leaks surround the electrical panels. Fixing the leaks will address this dangerous situation. Work is to commence immediately.
Harlem Stage is a vital part of the cultural and artistic life of the city. We are pleased to be able to help them make these urgent repairs while they await funding for a much larger project to upgrade mechanicals and other building systems.