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Neighborhood Detail
East Harlem
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East Harlem, famously known as El Barrio and Spanish Harlem, is a dynamic New York neighborhood. Spanish Harlem is one of the largest predominantly Latino communities in New York City. It includes the area formerly known as Italian Harlem, and still harbors a small Italian American population along Pleasant Avenue. Mayor Fiorello Laguardia, who gave his name to Laguardia airport, was a famous Italian Harlemite. Now this area is home to a new influx of immigrants from all over the world, as well as to a younger breed of New Yorker - attracted by good property values and lower rents.

East Harlem was one of the hardest hit areas in the 1970s as New York City struggled with deficit and poverty. However, like the rest of New York, it has enjoyed a resurgence in terms of construction in the past two decades. Many interesting and affordable condominiums have been built in the area.

East Harlem's proximity to the Upper East Side and its housing prices have always made it popular with artists. The renowned timbalero Tito Puente (110th Street was renamed "Tito Puente Way"), Jazz legend Ray Barretto and one of Puerto Rico's most famous poets, Julia de Burgos were all residents of the area. The beautiful El Museo del Barrio is located on nearby Museum Mile.