How Harlem Got NYS's Largest Methadone Center

+ As Seen In Harlem

Author

The Harlem Neighborhood Block Association
December 31, 2023 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

In HNBA’s October meeting with Mount Sinai, the origins of how New York State’s largest methadone program ended up being located at 125th Street and Park Avenue.

The building where Mount Sinai runs methadone distribution is called “The Lee Building,” and the history of that naming is described here:

“The most interesting transaction in a great many years in Harlem has just been closed. It involves the sale of the Lee Building on the northeast corner of Park Avenue and 125th Street. This is a twelve-story fireproof office and warehouse building on plot 90 by 100. … The Lee Building was originally owned by the Pittsburgh Life Insurance Company who, in 1913, leased it for twenty-one years to Lee Brothers Storage and Warehouse Company, a young and growing concern. On the failure of the Pittsburgh Life Insurance Company, this property, among other assets, was taken over by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, who, in 1922, sold to Lee Brothers. Originally the building was almost entirely used for furniture storage, but gradually Lee Brothers have converted about a third into offices, with retail stores on the ground floor. …” (NYT 3 May 1925, pg. RE17).

The building changed hands, and eventually became an office building:

“A syndicate represented by Robert B. Bowler bought from Lee Brothers the twelve-story structure at the northeast corner of 125th Street and Park Avenue, opposite the Harlem station of the New York Central. … The sellers are furniture dealers, who occupy the lower section of the building. They purchased the property in March, 1922… It was built by the Hamilton Storage Company and was later converted into offices.”

By the late 60s and 70’s The Lee building was on the verge of collapse and unable to secure an anchor tenant. David Rockefeller (NYS Governor), Fred Samuels, and Charles Rangel (Harlem politicians) approached Mr. Giscome who was then the Chair of Community Board 10 with an idea to move a methadone program from the East Village to East Harlem.

The deal was for him to accept the program and they would give him the building on 125th and Park Avenue, with the help of Webb and Broker who at the time were the biggest realtors in Harlem.

At first Giscome didn't like the idea because the building had over 40K in violations, but the men involved believed that the deal could work and that Community Board 11 would look the other way regarding deals near or above 125th Street.

Once the methadone program (and government-secured

funding) was in place as The Lee Building’s anchor tenant (then run by Beth Israel) they arranged for a Bank loan for about 50K to take care of the violations.

Before his death Giscome sold the building for 54 Million.

As Seen In Harlem

Lexington and 111th Street. Wall mural on a public school.

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