Hotel Theresa
Also known as: Theresa Towers
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Rising thirteen stories at the corner of West 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard, the former Hotel Theresa was built in 1912-13 to designs by George & Edward Blum. Its white brick and terra-cotta facades feature projecting bays, arched window surrounds, geometric ornament and four flat-topped rooftop pediments. The Blum firm commissioned custom terra-cotta pieces rather than stock items, and the Theresa is presented as a prime example of that approach. The hotel admitted African-American guests beginning in 1940 and soon became one of Harlem's leading social institutions, hosting prominent Black political, entertainment and sports figures and earning the nickname "Waldorf of Harlem." In 1960 Fidel Castro stayed there during a United Nations visit and received Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev. The building later housed community organizations, including Malcolm X's Organization of Afro-American Unity. It was converted to offices in the late 1960s, and the interior has been largely remodeled, though the exterior remains a visible Harlem landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues significance under Criterion A for the hotel's role in Harlem's African-American history, especially from 1940 to the late 1960s when it was a major social center known as the "Waldorf of Harlem." It is significant under Criterion C as a major work of the Blum firm, noted for inventive terra-cotta ornament and a distinctive roofline of flat-topped pediments.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05000618, listed June 16, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2082-2096 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | June 16, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000618 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1912-13, 1940-1955 |
| Architect / builder | Blum, George & Edward |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & Early 20th Century American Movements |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Black, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Converted to an office building that opened in 1970; the upper floors and lobby have been reconfigured, and original storefronts and windows have been altered or replaced. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.80873, -73.94903 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05000618.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1478380
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.