The Smile in Harlem, New York, New York is a large building with more than 200 units of mixed-income housing.

The Smile is the first collaboration with Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG) to design the 260,000 square foot residential building in Manhattan’s East Harlem neighborhood. Along 126th Street, the building’s facade gently slopes inwards liked a draped curtain, deviating from the hard, linear street edge in an elegant gesture and forming its namesake curved “smile” in bird’s eye view. In turn, the curve allows the building form to be contained within the allowable zoning envelope, while giving the residential street more access to direct sunlight.

Over 70 units of the 233 units building are within the Affordable NYC program with finishes similar to the rest of the market rate building raising the standards of affordable apartments in the neighborhood. Conceived as a three pronged “Y” structure stretching between 125th and 126th Streets, The Smile transforms from a traditional block at street level to one side cantilevering over an existing commercial building. The Smile’s unique form allows locals to enjoy and inhabit the space over the commercial offices previously left unbuilt and creates visual connections between the two streets to form a more cohesive neighborhood experience.

Amenities include a rooftop with dining space and grills, a large screening area for movies, and views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.

Location: New York, New York
Developers: Blumenfeld Development Group