News

American Songwriter reports: The Chainsmokers, the group behind the 2017 hit “Closer” featuring Halsey, have announced that they are hosting an artist-in-residence program in New York. The program is a collaboration between the agencies NOISE, The Blumenfeld Development Group, and The Chainsmokers’ JAJA Tequila.
The program is designed to help young musicians afford a roof over their heads while they focus on their passion. The winner of the program will be awarded a free apartment in a Harlem building called The Smile. The apartment, which will be fully paid for one year, will include a music studio inside and is designed by architect Bjarke Ingels.
The Chainsmokers, which consist of Alexander “Alex” Pall and Andrew “Drew” Taggart, recently issued a statement to Billboard regarding the program and the apartment that they designed themselves. “We started our careers in New York City and our experiences living in the city really shaped us into who we are today,” the statement reads.
“For the longest time we worked out of a shoebox-sized apartment making music every day,” they continue. “We’re so excited to offer a talented artist the chance to thrive by providing a free apartment with a music studio at The Smile for a year.”
According to Billboard, NOISE founder and CEO Joe Laresca also shared a statement regarding the artist-in-residence program, which applicants can apply for on the Chainsmokers Giveaway website. “At NOISE we love working with clients who are willing to think outside the box,” Laresca said.
“Especially those who are not only willing to push boundaries in their respective industries but also are excited to create culture-forward and impactful campaigns –– David [Blumenfeld] and the entire team at BDG are one of those clients.” Laresca continued. “This is definitely out of the norm for a real estate company, and of course, partnering with The Chainsmokers is iconic, but being able to change an artist’s life and career trajectory is something we’re really proud of.”
Earlier this year, the Chainsmokers’ Taggart released a song titled “Self-Destruction Mode.” “I’ve struggled with drinking throughout my career as it’s an addiction that’s woven into the environment we exist in,” Taggart wrote on Instagram during the song’s release. “This guilt of not being good enough or not being better ironically sends me into a spiral that restarts my bad habit cycle.
“This song isn’t a cry for help but more of an embrace or celebration of all that i am,” Taggart continued. “I know that im flawed. i know that i am great and so are you. Never forget it.”

Real Estate Weekly reports: The Chainsmokers, a Grammy-winning music duo composed of Drew Taggart and Alex Pall, are proud to announce the launch of their exclusive “Artist in Residence” program, with applications officially open on August 8th. This extraordinary initiative aims to support and empower emerging musical talent by providing them with a life-changing opportunity to win a free apartment and fully equipped music studio for an entire year at The Smile, an innovative residential property in Manhattan designed by renowned architect Bjarke Ingels. In collaboration with The Blumenfeld Group [BDG], JAJA Tequila, and powered by creative agency NOISE, this initiative represents a milestone in fostering creativity and advancing the careers of aspiring artists.
Although The Chainsmokers are currently known for their chart-topping hits and electrifying performances, they also started from humble beginnings, couch surfing their way to the top, barely making ends meet in the process–so it only makes sense that they’re committed to helping others succeed in return. This program is an extension of their passion for nurturing young talent and creating an environment where creativity can flourish, in a city full of starving artists,
“Music has always been a driving force in our lives, however from experience, becoming an artist and breaking into the industry is extremely difficult, especially living in New York City. Most of us don’t start with much so any support is always huge,” says Drew. “In our career we’ve had many people help us and without them we wouldn’t be where we are today, including David [Principal of BDG]”, he adds. “David helped us book our first ever gig so doing this together in partnership with our tequila company JAJA hits home–we’re stoked to be a part of this and we can’t wait to witness the incredible talent that will benefit from this program,” says Alex.
The Smile, a luxury residential property developed by The Blumenfeld Development Group, provides an ideal space for artists to live, create, and connect with like-minded individuals. The fully furnished apartment designed by The Chainsmokers themselves, will offer the winner a comfortable and inspiring living environment, while the music studio is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support the production of music at its finest,
“Something we pride ourselves in at BDG is to never cut corners — The Smile is a great representation of that”, says David Blumenfeld, Principal of The Blumenfeld Development Group. “Most developers aren’t willing to go this far for a rental property — like hiring one of the best architects in the world [Bjarke Ingels], offering a state-of-the-art amenity package, and creating a
space that truly feels like a community. We also wanted to pick an agency [NOISE] that was non-traditional and just gets it, which has proven to be successful. Lastly, I’m really excited to partner with my friends Drew and Alex to change someone’s life,” David adds.
This collaboration between The Chainsmokers, The Blumenfeld Development Group, JAJA Tequila, and NOISE aims to set a new benchmark for philanthropy and creative marketing in real estate, all while transforming the life of one lucky artis. This one-of-a-kind opportunity will undoubtedly propel their career to new heights and the impact of this initiative will be felt for years to come,
“At NOISE we love working with clients who are willing to think outside the box. Especially those who are not only willing to push boundaries in their respective industries but also are excited to create culture-forward and impactful campaigns––David and the entire team at BDG are one of those clients”, says Joe Laresca, Founder & CEO of NOISE. “This is definitely out of the norm for a real estate company, and of course, partnering with The Chainsmokers is iconic, but being able to change an artist’s life and career trajectory is something we’re really proud of,” says Joe.
Applications for the “Artist in Residence” contest will open on August 8th and all contestants can submit their entries through the official website, www.TheChainsmokersGiveaway.com 

Digital Music News reports: The Chainsmokers are co-sponsoring an artist-in-residence program in New York City to help an emerging artist focus on music without the worries and stress of paying rent.
The Chainsmokers, duo Alex Pall and Drew Taggart are launching an effort in collaboration with The Blumenfeld Development Group, The Chainsmokers’ JAJA Tequila, and creative agency NOISE to provide an artist-in-residence with a free apartment in New York City equipped with a music studio at the apartment building The Smile.
Located in Harlem and developed by The Blumenfeld Group, the apartment building was created by architect Bjarke Ingels and named for its curved design. The 794-square-foot apartment was designed by The Chainsmokers themselves, featuring spaces for dining, working, sleeping, and living.
“We started our careers in New York City, and our experiences living in the city really shaped us into who we are today,” said The Chainsmokers. “The city is fun and inspiring, but we also know all too well how expensive it can be to live there, especially as a new artist.”
“For the longest time, we worked out of a shoebox-sized apartment, making music every day,” they continue. “We’re so excited to offer a talented artist the chance to thrive by providing a free apartment with a music studio at The Smile for a year.”
“At NOISE, we love working with clients who are willing to think outside the box. Especially those who are not only willing to push boundaries in their respective industries but also are excited to create culture-forward and impactful campaigns. David (Blumenfeld) and the entire team at BDG are one of those clients,” says Joe Laresca, founder and CEO of NOISE.
“This is definitely out of the norm for a real estate company, and of course, partnering with The Chainsmokers is iconic, but being able to change an artist’s life and career trajectory is something we’re really proud of.”
The program is currently accepting applications, requiring basic information and a TikTok submission.

Billboard reports: Before they were rich and famous and dwelling in mansions, The Chainsmokers were just two dudes trying to make it as musicians in New York City.
Understanding how hard it can be to keep the lights on in the city while producing new music, the duo is now co-sponsoring a new artist-in-residence program in New York City that aims to help an emerging artist focus on music while eschewing the stress of paying rent.
Being launched in collaboration with The Blumenfeld Development Group, The Chainsmokers’ own JAJA Tequila and creative agency NOISE, this artist-in-residence program will provide the winner with a free apartment equipped with a music studio at apartment building The Smile. Developed by The Blumenfeld Development Group and located in Harlem, it was designed by architect Bjarke Ingels and is named for its curved design.
The 794-square-foot apartment unit was designed by The Chainsmokers themselves, and features dining, working, sleeping and living room spaces.
“We started our careers in New York City and our experiences living in the city really shaped us into who we are today,” The Chainsmokers tell Billboard in a joint statement. “The city is fun and inspiring, but we also know all too well how expensive it can be to live there, especially as a new artist.”
“For the longest time we worked out of a shoebox-sized apartment making music every day,” the pair continue. “We’re so excited to offer a talented artist the chance to thrive by providing a free apartment with a music studio at The Smile for a year.”
The program is currently accepting applications, which require would-be winners to submit some basic information along with a TikTok. You can apply for it here.
“At NOISE we love working with clients who are willing to think outside the box. Especially those who are not only willing to push boundaries in their respective industries but also are excited to create culture-forward and impactful campaigns –– David [Blumenfeld] and the entire team at BDG are one of those clients,” says Joe Laresca, founder and CEO of NOISE. “This is definitely out of the norm for a real estate company, and of course, partnering with The Chainsmokers is iconic, but being able to change an artist’s life and career trajectory is something we’re really proud of.”

EDM reports: The Chainsmokers want to pay your rent for a year.

The superstar duo have revealed a rather unique contest in collaboration with their friends at the New York City luxury apartment complex, The Smile. The Chainsmokers will be giving away a free year in the building in an apartment that comes complete with a music studio which they’ve designed.

Geared towards creatives in the music industry, the contest, which The Chainsmokers are calling the first of its kind, is inspired by the early days and humble beginnings of their career in the Big Apple. Sharing a video to announce the competition, they cited New York City as a major influence and said they want to give someone else the same experience.

Details shared on the contest’s website explain who is eligible to win. Winners must be 21 and older, a U.S. resident outside of Alaska and Hawaii and be a “participant in the music industry.”

The contest will run until September 5th, 2023 at 11:59pm. Entrants will need to answer questions about their art and how a free apartment would impact them, and create TikTok content to be judged. They’ll ultimately select one winner to receive a free year in the lavish digs. You can learn more and enter for a chance to win here.

Spring is in the air; in New York City, that means green spaces are bustling, and trees and flowers are in full bloom. Residents of the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile are perfectly located to take in some of the most scenic spots for spring’s natural splendor, including the city’s array of cherry blossoms in bloom—from Central Park to the parks, botanical gardens, and Cherry Blossom festivals across the boroughs. Of course, for a quick dose of Vitamin D and fresh spring air, residents can head to their rooftop. But this year, the city has pulled out all the stops to highlight the season’s best.

Close to home, residents of The Smile can head to Cherry Hill by the Central Park Lake. As its name suggests, Cherry Hill is so-called for the Yoshino cherry trees that line the lake and bloom in whites and pastel pinks in the spring. Cherry Hill is also a popular destination for picnicking, lounging, or simply meandering down its gentle slopes to the intimate boat landing. While in Central Park, it’s worth making a day (or weekday evening) of it. The Conservatory Garden is considered one of the grandest and most impressive public gardens in the city, with six acres of plantings, including the beloved tulips and crabapple trees, as well as formal floral displays. Visitors can enjoy three areas with distinct designs—French, Italian, and English—marked by the impressively ornate Vanderbilt Gate.

In Queens, Flushing Meadows Corona Park is home to a slice of New York City’s history—as the site of two World’s Fairs—and scenic areas for sports and recreation, with lakes and trails to explore by foot or via kayak. Near the Queens Museum and near the Unisphere are Okame cherry trees—which produce tiny pink flowers and red calyxes and are usually the first cherry trees to begin blossoming in the city.

Finally, no spring exploration of the city would be complete without a visit to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. From the Orchid Show to the more than 200 cherry trees throughout the garden, along the Cherry Collection path and within the Arthur and Janet Ross Conifer Arboretum, Daffodil Hill, and elsewhere. Daffodils, magnolias, azaleas, peonies, and other seasonal flowers will be in bloom within the garden’s 250 acres, ready to greet springtime visitors.

Whether tracking cherry blooms across the city or finding a scenic destination for a weekend picnic, residents of The Smile have an abundance of options to enjoy the best of the season. Contact us to learn more about the exuberant luxury living that’s available at The Smile!

While Harlem is famous for its wealth of soul food restaurants, the neighborhood is also home to the same wide variety of cuisines as the rest of Manhattan, and April is the perfect month to explore some of the area’s pizzerias. National Deep Dish Pizza Day may have come and gone, but residents of the new Harlem rentals at The Smile don’t need an excuse to justify a taste-test survey of nearby pizza pies. Here’s a list of our favorite pizza joints in Harlem to use as a jumping-off point for your own exploration!

Over the years, the eponymous Harlem Pizza Co has garnered a reputation for slinging some of the best pies in the neighborhood, and the slices that come out of the oven are as tasty as ever. Harlem Pizza Co even offers At Home Pizza Making Kits, turning mealtime into a fun project for the whole family. Pizza lovers with space in their hearts for the breadth of Italian cuisine should head to Armonie Bistro, a concept from the couple behind Ray’s Famous Pizza on 14th Street. Like Ray’s, Armonie celebrates Italian heritage by creating a classic bistro atmosphere and serving authentic dishes, from single slices to baked sandwiches to rich pastas, all made with Armonie’s famous vodka sauce.

For authentic Italian pizza, check out Sottocasa on Malcolm X Boulevard, where owners Elena and Matteo have imported their traditional pizza techniques to carve out a slice of Napoli in New York. With dozens of carefully concocted combinations, Sottocasa is a great place to explore new toppings or revisit old favorites. If you prefer a slice that’s quintessentially Manhattan, head to the original Patsy’s Pizzeria location on 1st Ave, home of the iconic thin crust NYC pizza that has become a citywide sensation.

Harlem residents looking for an upscale Italian experience will love Nocciola Ristorante on East 116th Street. Since 2014, Chef Paul Flores has been treating the northern reaches of Manhattan to his signature blend of traditional and experimental Italian fare, all backed up by an extensive wine and beer list curated to pair with his offerings.

While these pizzerias feature stylish interiors, we all know that pizza is often best enjoyed in one’s own residence, fresh from a cardboard box. Residents of The Smile can indulge their pizza cravings in the comfort of their home or on the building’s spacious rooftop deck, which features sweeping skyline views as well as a projector for pizza party movie screenings. If this sounds like the perfect way to spend your evenings, reach out and schedule a tour at The Smile today!

Every detail at The Smile’s Harlem apartments for rent was designed to make day-to-day life for residents more comfortable, relaxing, and brimming with floor-to-ceiling luxuries. From spacious layouts and expansive city views to imaginative design, each residence is a swoon-worthy, move-in-ready masterpiece. Here, we highlight Residence 802 and its particular attractions.

Situated on the eighth floor of The Smile, this bright, oversized, south-facing studio features a large living area, an open kitchen with a breakfast bar, and a separate space that can serve as a bedroom, home office, or library retreat, to name just a few options. At 800 square feet, Residence 802 exceeds all the usual expectations about NYC studios, giving you plenty of opportunities to spread out and arrange your home to suit your contemporary lifestyle.

Thanks to nine-foot-high ceilings and direct exposures, you’ll get a good share of Vitamin D and a steady stream of natural light cascading throughout the studio during the day, as well as spectacular views of the immediate Harlem neighborhood and the city beyond. But this residence also has features and special touches to make every “night in” a special affair. Each home at The Smile comes equipped with state-of-the-art kitchens, tailored for the home chef (or those who aspire to live like one). With imported stainless-steel Italian cabinetry, an elegant appliance suite, and under-cabinet, color-changing LED lighting, no luxury need is left unmet. This attention to detail is also evident in the bathrooms, which feature white ceramic walls with gray flooring, custom oak vanities, Caesarstone countertops, and polished chrome fixtures, perfect for self-pampering and self-care in spa-like surroundings.

Look up, and you’ll see the exposed concrete ceilings; look below, and it’s the Bright White Quartzline monolithic resin floors. And for added convenience, Residence 802 includes a washer and dryer, oversized closets for storing even the most envy-inducing wardrobe and accessory collection, and a Latch smart-entry lock for security.

Outside of Residence 802, The Smile offers residents more than 20,000 square feet of amenity space. This building boasts a Rooftop Swim Club with views of the skyline, as well as a Fitness Club and Smile Spa with sauna and steam room, a Screening Room for entertaining friends with a private showing of the latest blockbuster, and a coworking studio for your work-from-home space away from home.

Residence 802 is priced at $3,650 per month, plus half a month free rent on a 12-month lease. For a tour of this spectacular residence and the rest of the available homes at The Smile, contact the leasing team today!

The Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile, designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, are at the center of one of the city’s—and the country’s—most historic and bustling neighborhoods. Harlem today is home to some of Manhattan’s most dynamic dining venues and nightlife and has historically been home to legendary live music and a vibrant arts scene. After a meal out or during a weekend exploring the area, The Smile’s residents can easily check out a host of cultural institutions.

Any list of Harlem’s cultural institutions must include the Apollo Theater. On February 16th, this stalwart of culture started hosting its ever-popular Amateur Night series after a hiatus of about two years. These amateur showcases attract performers from around the world and have launched the careers of musical legends for almost a century—from Ella Fitzgerald to Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, and H.E.R. Amateur Night is almost as famous for its audience, who are asked to be interactive judges and let performers know if they’ve got what it takes to become music’s future legends.

While the Apollo Theater has hosted its fair share of jazz legends, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem preserves and celebrates the history and future of jazz—one of America’s greatest art forms. Events include the ongoing The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure exhibit, which features some of the items from the museum’s permanent collection.

Finally, Long Gallery Harlem offers an important resource for art collectors and under-represented artists. It has presented works by more than 70 artists in its exhibition space, including Bisa Butler, Renee Cox, Alteronce Gumby, Kim Mahorn, and Nona Hendryx, among others. Long Gallery was inspired by Harlem’s Studio Museum and Harlem’s broader cultural legacy—which residents of The Smile can continue to enjoy close to home.

Contact The Smile’s leasing team today to secure your future residence in this neighborhood that exudes culture!

Residents of the Harlem loft rentals at The Smile are no strangers to beauty. Whether it’s exploring Harlem River Park or taking in the views of the Manhattan skyline and Harlem River from The Smile Rooftop Swim Club, there’s no denying that this remarkable building on East 126th Street in Manhattan is surrounded by some of the most stunning sights in New York City.

This is why it was so important to create a building that not only complements the local environment but celebrates the diversity, excitement, and natural charm of the neighborhood in which it resides. Fortunately, the architects at BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group are no strangers to inspired design. This global design firm is critically acclaimed, and for good reason.

BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group creations consistently challenge traditional architecture, combining familiar elements to create structures uniquely compatible with contemporary life. They’re the architects behind a number of noteworthy structures, including Toyota Woven City and the out-of-this-world Mars Dune Alpha project for NASA, an exploration of what humanity’s home might look like on another planet, currently under construction at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Regardless of the location, whether it’s a busy city street, an old factory site, or off-planet, community and function are key to BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group designs. This is certainly on display at The Smile, whose distinctive style captures the eye and takes into account the needs of the neighborhood.

A good example of this can be found in its setback checkerboard facade, which allows sunlight to flood the apartments while still reaching the street below. It’s one of the reasons this project was selected by Architect Magazine as an Honor winner in the 2021 Residential Architect Design Awards in the Multifamily Housing category.

The thoughtfulness and innovation continue inside the building. Some of the amenities of the loft-style residences, which range from studios to two-bedrooms, include floor-to-ceiling windows and oversized closets, a major plus for a New York City apartment. A strong connection to community and well-being permeates the interior design and shared spaces, including the vibrant lobby, the spa and health club, and the stylish lounge and coworking studio that make it possible to work and gather comfortably with fellow residents.

Harlem has always been an inspiring place to call home. With beloved restaurants like Sylvia’s and Red Rooster to nearby cultural institutions such as the Apollo Theater and the Studio Museum in Harlem, the sense of community is strong in this neighborhood.

The residents of The Smile are fortunate to live in a building that further reflects and strengthens this bond, created by some considerate and award-winning architects.

Harlem’s rich history and culture make it a destination neighborhood for a night out any time of the year, but when you want to curate a Valentine’s celebration to remember, residents of the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile can choose from a world-famous roster of bakeries, florists, and restaurants, paired with the perfect balance of the exuberant and the intimate.

Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster is a place where the legacy of African American culinary traditions is showcased with favorites like hot honey yardbird chicken, pan-fried catfish, cornbread, and mac and cheese. The menu’s combination of inspiration and decadence will bring a festive Uptown romance to a Valentine’s evening of indulgences like salted caramel donuts or a sundae made with passion fruit sauce.

Another celebrated Harlem eatery is Sylvia’s, a restaurant so iconic that critics tend to max out on superlatives. As Andrew Steinthal of the Infatuation put it, “When Sylvia’s chef and founder Sylvia Woods died in 2012, W. 126th Street and Lenox Avenue in Harlem was co-named ‘Sylvia P. Woods Way.’ When you get an entire block named after you in New York City, you’re pretty much immortal. And Sylvia’s is about as immortal a restaurant as you’ll find in New York City.” This is the place to get gravy-smothered pork chops, a generous helping of ribs, and a red velvet cake that is the epitome of a proper Harlem-style Valentine’s Day celebration. 

For a true NYC romantic spot, try Vinateria, where you can treat your date to black spaghetti with scallops and mussels and fresh burrata doused in mint and honey. If you’re in the mood to channel the mystique of Paris, Maison Harlem serves up French bistro character and scrumptious meals like the Demi Poulet and the Mussels Provencale, to name just a few. (They even have a “Menu Pour Enfants” for those other loves of your life.) At Archer & Goat, South American and Indian cuisines combine to bring you dishes like the carne asada with crispy tostones or roasted duck with mango curtido, both featured in their Valentine’s Day prix-fixe offerings. 

If you’d rather stay in and cook together, you’ll be inspired by your state-of-the-art kitchen at The Smile, with its stainless-steel cabinets and appliances. You can find meal-elevating specialties from La Marqueta, which has been a public market since 1936, delicacies such as compound butter and pesto from Amuse Bouche Bistro, or a box of canneles from Patisserie Vanessa. Another great at-home dessert option is to order a Valentine’s Day cake from Pure Confections, featuring a single tall vanilla-iced tier embellished with pink and red roses. Decorate the table with a bouquet from Franz James Floral Boutique or 116 Flowers to celebrate your double romance with that special person in your life and the neighborhood you can’t help but fall in love with.

Get in touch with The Smile team today to hear more about our gorgeous Harlem apartments for rent.

With the temperatures bottoming out and quite a few long and chilly nights left in the season, the winter months call for making the most of the daylight hours. Of course, there are plenty of cozy ways to stay warm and entertained — from sipping a warm mug of homemade hot cocoa with marshmallows to sledding and snowball fights. But nothing says winter quite like hitting the skating rink, with your favorite pair of toasty mittens, for a few hours of gliding and spinning. Residents of the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile are a quick trip away from two of the city’s cherished ice skating rinks — the perfect destinations for a weekend afternoon.

Wollman Rink in the southeast corner of Central Park has been a New York City institution for over 70 years. This outdoor skating rink is open daily during the skating season, which runs until the end of March. Visitors can book ahead for rink time, or sign up for lessons, including group sessions in skating basics, figure skating, and hockey, as well as private lessons for a variety of skill levels. Bring your own skates or rent a pair, and enjoy grab-and-go beverages or a full menu at the Wollman Café, or pick up a coffee from the on-site coffee bar. Also, the rink boasts an Artist Project that features five artists representing each of the city’s five boroughs, with works produced for display throughout the location.

Farther south at the Chelsea Piers is Sky Rink at Pier 61, NYC’s most popular year-round ice skating rink, which has been serving the city for over half a century. Sky Rink is home to general skating hours, as well as a skating school for youths and adults, with youth figure skating clinics, freestyle instruction, and hockey lessons. Though skaters may be gliding too fast to notice (or focusing on the puck), the stunning views of the Hudson River, as well as the venue’s notable architecture, make Sky Rink a destination in itself. Whether for a weekend visit, to spruce up on your skating, or as a location for throwing a one-of-a-kind special event, Sky Rink will conjure memories of winters past (or create some new ones for first-time skaters learning the ropes).

After a day of skating at one of these iconic Manhattan rinks, you can enjoy a brisk detour through Central Park or along the Hudson. You may prefer, however, to simply head straight home to unwind with a session in The Smile’s spa, warm up in the steam room or dry sauna, refresh and rejuvenate in the Himalayan salt room, or have a sensory experience shower, which blends sound, steam, water, and light for some totally immersive relaxation. All that’s left to do now is head back to your apartment to crash on the sofa with the full luxuries of home around you. To learn more about the luxury apartments at The Smile contact the leasing team today!

A new year means new health and wellness goals, and at The Smile, it couldn’t be easier to attain them. From the well-equipped fitness center to the rooftop pool with phenomenal views, these Harlem apartments, available ​​for rent, will ensure you stay in shape—body, mind, and soul.

Fitness Center and Sauna
A gym in your own apartment building is a game changer—especially during those freezing winter mornings when it’s tough enough getting out of bed. Peloton bikes, a Wellbeats system, medicine balls, and free weights are on hand in The Smile’s state-of-the-art fitness center, helping you smash those fitness goals. For gentler workouts, practice downward dogs in the yoga room—or simply collect your thoughts in the quiet relaxation area. Finish off by flushing out those toxins (and stay nice and toasty while doing so) in the steam room and dry sauna.

Rooftop Pool and Whirlpools
Forget seeking out the local pool for your bracing morning dip or evening wind-down swim. That’s because The Smile boasts its own rooftop pool, replete with dreamy Manhattan views. When you’re done doing lengths in the heavens, move onto one of the three (yes, three) whirlpools up here and feel your muscles soothed while you take in the city skyline. Sheer luxury.

Nearby Parks
Sometimes you just need to be out in the fresh air. Luckily, The Smile has a number of great parks close by. Download the 7 Minute Chi app and partake in a spot of relaxed morning exercise on Harlem River Park’s waterfront lawns. Or take a jog around picturesque Marcus Garvey Park—where you can also try the outdoor exercise equipment or shoot hoops on the basketball court. For laid-back weekend wanders, the North Woods of Central Park is just 30 minutes away.

Without Leaving the Apartment
Only got a spare half hour? Make the most of it by streaming a fitness class (we recommend Melissa Wood Health, The Class, and Isaac Boots) right here in your apartment. Ingenious beds from Bumblebee Spaces disappear into the ceiling with the flick of a switch—leaving you with ample workout space on the European cast poured floors. This is also where your kitchen, with its stainless-steel appliance suite, comes into its own; refresh and reinvigorate with nutritious smoothies, detoxifying teas, and healthy meals—anytime the mood takes you. Who said being good to yourself had to be a hassle?

Start your healthy, luxury lifestyle at The Smile and contact the leasing team today!

Manhattan becomes a winter wonderland during the holidays, and, to go along with its enchanting snow-covered vistas, there are a few traditions that have defined the season in the city for decades. Residents of the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile are just a short ride away from the magic of it all. Take one look at the 79-foot Norway spruce at Rockefeller Center, and it’s easy to understand why people from all over the world flock to New York this time of year. Like a Christmas card come to life on a truly grand scale, the tree is framed by the buildings and presides over the skating rink with its Daniel Libeskind-designed Swarovski crystal star twinkling above.

In the famous New York holiday department store windows, the sets take center stage. The tradition is a chance for stores like Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s to show their creative side. Displays have been known to include scenery as elaborate as an opera set or an art installation, and employ immersive sensory devices like the surrounding air wafting with the smell of pine. This year, Bloomingdale’s vice president of visual merchandising and windows, John Klimkowski, asked his team to channel their own personal memories of childhood holidays to create windows that include references to sweaters from mom, musical jewelry boxes, and even a giant T. Rex, inspired by Klimkowsi’s favorite childhood gift.

The window designers at Saks also wanted to give the windows a personal touch. They asked boys and girls to draw their fantasy holiday and based the windows on their drawings. The results include life-size video game worlds, carnival rides, and a tropical paradise — all made even more showstopping by the nightly light show that covers the entire building.

The windows at Tiffany inspired one of the most iconic NYC films, and if Holly

Golightly’s habit of visiting the displays in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” inspires you, you can grab a croissant and a latte and head to the store for a glimpse of the sparkle that once brought her there to chase her dreams. The windows themselves often feature stunning narratives with sparkling details, such as jewels bursting like honey from a honeycomb or accentuating miniature dioramas of snowy scenes.

Of course, Macy’s windows are not to be missed. This year’s display features the story of Tiptoe the reindeer, as memorable as a movie but as vivid and immediate as the transformed city itself. And it’s all just a short ride away from the Harlem apartments for rent at The Smile.

The holidays are here in Harlem, and shopping for the season’s gifts is sure to be a treat for residents of the new Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile. Located just one block from Harlem’s Main Street, The Smile is the perfect launching point for holiday shopping excursions. Keep reading for our recommendations for where new Harlem residents should begin their shopping journeys this season!

Located a dozen short blocks south of The Smile, La Marqueta offers a rich blend of community, culture and cuisine. Head to Sprinkle Splash Sweet Shoppe and pick up an authentic Puerto Rican dessert like flan or rich coconut tembleque for the sweets lover in your life or order a custom cake that is sure to wow. La Marqueta will also be home to the Harlem Night Market from December 17 to 19, where visitors will find a range of local vendors and enjoy music from Stormin’ Norman and Ted Smooth.

Tea aficionados are sure to appreciate a care package from Serengeti Teas & Provisions, which features a vast array of fragrant options from Africa. Of course, there’s more than one way to enjoy a steaming cup of cocoa, which is where the Hot Chocolate Rides Bike Tour in Harlem comes in: riders sign up for a guided cycling and drinking experience centered around the neighborhood’s excellent hot beverage options. Grab a gift certificate for your cyclist or chocoholic friend!

Chef JJ Johnson’s book Between Harlem and Heaven is a great gift for the home chefs out there who need a little inspiration to get going in the kitchen. Taking the reader “beyond soul food,” this guide to Afro-Asian-American cuisine is based on decades of kitchen experience and is sure to delight and educate even the most experienced cook. But don’t take it on faith; head to Fieldtrip, Chef Johnson’s “community-based dining experience” at 109 Malcolm X Boulevard to taste for yourself.

All this and more open up each December mere blocks from the front doors of The Smile, where Harlem residents of all ages can enjoy spacious homes with floor-to-ceiling windows, a comprehensive suite of amenities, and even space-saving modular furniture in select homes. So, secure your new Harlem rental today and get into the swing of holiday shopping in this classic Manhattan neighborhood.

In the wake of the global pandemic, architects and designers are reenvisioning how they design residential spaces for the future, and lucky residents of a select group of Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile are getting a preview of the next phase of urban living. These homes feature modular furniture from Bumblebee Systems that transforms your living room into an office or bedroom with a voice or touch command. The system is mounted to the home’s ceiling, taking full advantage of cubic footage (instead of merely each room’s footprint), and features handsome wood furniture that gives the interiors a refined, modern style.

The future of apartment living has already arrived in Harlem. Five homes in the new collection of Harlem rentals at The Smile have been equipped with robotic furniture from Bumblebee Systems, a new company creating modular solutions that take advantage of every cubic foot of space inside a home. Installed on the ceiling, this handsome wooden furniture rises and descends at a voice or touch command, transforming a living room into a bedroom or office in seconds. Residents can even ask the system to retrieve specific items like an umbrella or scarf by lowering the drawer they need without rearranging the entire room.

As the holiday season heats up, residents of Harlem’s luxury apartments at The Smile can enjoy warming moments for the body and soul, indoors and out. From snuggly evenings with coffee and cupcakes to the lighting of festive trees, it’s magical being in Harlem for the holidays.

Cupcakes and cocoa

The days are only shorter from here on in, and snuggly nights at home doing very little at all are nothing to be ashamed of. Mother-daughter business Grace Kelli Cupcakes whip up some of the sweetest treats in Harlem—think fresh buttercream cupcakes, red velvet cookies, and jewel-colored boxes of mixed French macarons. Order in something scrummy, get a cup of hot cocoa in your kitchen, and cozy up on the sofa with a podcast or book with the wintry Harlem cityscape as your backdrop.

Stay in shape without facing the cold

One of the best ways to stay toasty (and burn a few of those cupcake calories) is by going to the gym. When you rent at The Smile, the gym’s already on your doorstep in the form of its state-of-the-art fitness center featuring Peloton bikes, a Wellbeats system, and spaces for yoga, weightlifting, and personal workouts. If that weren’t enough to raise the temperature, The Smile’s spa facilities boast a hammam, dry sauna, and steam room. That’s enough to keep you glowing till next spring.

Finding the festive spirit

Venture out of The Smile this time of the year, and you’ll discover a Harlem overflowing with holiday cheer. On December 3, the East Harlem Holiday Tree—specially selected each year from a tree farm in North Carolina—is lit. Go see the famous spruce anytime between then and January 6 to admire its multicolored glow. Maybe it’ll inspire you to pick out your own tree; head to the Urban Garden Center—less than a 15-minute stroll from The Smile—to find the perfect fir for your apartment this yuletide.

Preparing for the big event

Once the tree’s up, you know the season’s in full swing. And there are plenty of ways The Smile’s amenities will help your holidays run smoothly. The package storage and mailroom will deal with all those gifts you’ve bought off the internet. Have URBN Playground’s virtual concierge service pick up festive food, wine, and decorations. Test your holiday culinary skills (then have friends over to sample) in The Smile’s spacious demo kitchen. Plan a festive screening of It’s a Wonderful Life at the on-site movie theater. This is going to be the best holiday season yet.

As a present to yourself, contact The Smile team to learn more about the possibilities of a new life in Harlem in the new year!

It’s that time of year again — Thanksgiving! People are planning feasts, dreaming of the desserts, and gearing up for gatherings with family and friends. New Yorkers are getting ready for all of the fun and festivities that the city has to offer. And no one is in a better place to experience a true NYC Thanksgiving than the lucky residents of the luxury Harlem apartments for rent at The Smile.

Located in the heart of Harlem, The Smile makes a convenient base for all of your Thanksgiving activities — whether you’ll be out enjoying the city or at home taking a blissful post-meal nap.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

To call this parade iconic is an understatement. Each year, millions of Americans wake up on Thanksgiving Day, turn on the TV, and watch this celebration of star performers, music, and, of course, giant balloons of beloved characters. This year, the parade is bound to be even more special since it’s back to being live!

Hop on the train or take an autumnal stroll over to Central Park West and join the millions of spectators as they watch the cavalcade merrily making its way to Herald Square. Pro tip: If you visit the night before (outside of the American Museum of Natural History), you can see the massive balloons being inflated.

If crowds aren’t your thing, stay home at The Smile and watch the floats and performances by Kim Petras, Kristen Chenoweth, Rob Thomas and others on TV from the comfort of your own sofa.

Dancegiving?

New Yorkers have countless ways of kicking off the holiday season: taking in the wintry window displays along Fifth Avenue, selfies in front of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, and going to see classic holiday shows like the New York City Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

Using George Balanchine’s spectacular choreography, the ballet company transports the audience to a dreamland of giant Christmas trees, a Mouse King, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. The show has been delighting audiences of all ages since the 1950s and has become a must-see tradition for many. Why not make it one of yours? There’s no better way to add a little dance to your Thanksgiving weekend.

Feast This Holiday Season

Fantastic food is the reason why Thanksgiving seems to be everyone’s favorite holiday. Cook up your favorite dishes in your state-of-the-art kitchen at The Smile. If you’d like to take it easy and have someone else do the work — there’s no better place to be than Harlem to experience some of the best food in the world.

Indulge in Thanksgiving brunch at classic Uptown eateries like Amy Ruth’s. Known for fried chicken, Amy Ruth’s also offers indulgent holiday meals available for takeaway or dining in. Think: Perfectly prepared turkey paired with tart cranberry sauce and mouthwatering honey-glazed ham.

For more than a decade, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster has been serving the Harlem community with an elevated take on comfort food that has been lauded by both critics and diners. The Thanksgiving menu carries on that tradition with collard greens, cornbread, and a fried turkey that just might rival your family’s recipe!

No matter what you eat or what you do to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, you’ll be grateful to be able to come back to your sleek and sophisticated home at The Smile — the ultimate place to spend the whole holiday season.

The new Harlem apartments for rent at The Smile are leading the charge of high-tech urban homes. Five smart apartments at The Smile are equipped with modular furniture by Bumblebee Systems, a new startup from former Tesla and Apple engineers that is dedicated to taking full advantage of every cubic inch of space by using futuristic, camera-enhanced robotics. The result is a set of handsome wooden bedroom furniture that is stored on the home’s ceiling, allowing residents to enjoy a spacious open area during the day before transforming their living room into their bedroom with the touch of a smartphone screen or a voice command.

The new Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile are making news around the world, including a new spread of photos in Asian design magazine Home Journal. The Smile’s colorful interior comes across in these images, which capture vibrant touches like the variegated residents’ mailboxes and the brightly colored herringbone tiling that guides residents from the lobby to their homes. Other common spaces, like the residents’ lounges, steam room and sauna, and fitness center, take on a monochromatic hue complemented by warm wood grain finishes. The residences themselves feature exposed concrete bathed in natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal the Manhattan skyline beyond.

The Smile is the first building in New York to equip some homes with modular furniture from Bumblebee Systems, a new company founded by former Apple and Tesla engineers. These Harlem luxury apartments feature ceiling-mounted grids that lower and raise entire rooms worth of furniture at a voice command, turning a living room into a bedroom in a matter of seconds. The modular system gives residents the ability to use every cubic foot of their home for storage, and the sophisticated robotic manager even tracks where individual items are stored, enabling people to retrieve a sweater or hat without having to transform the entire room.

Wallpaper* featured images of the latest round of new homes at The Smile, which include a modular furniture system that multiplies usable square footage by hiding entire rooms’ worth of furniture while not in use. Designed by former Apple and Tesla engineers, the Bumblebee Spaces kinetic living solution is seamlessly integrated into these Bjarke Ingels-designed Harlem luxury apartments, creating multiple rooms in one by raising and lowering handsome wood beds and drawers at a voice command. The ceiling-mounted system even tracks where specific items are stored, making it possible for residents to retrieve a single item with the touch of their smartphone without having to rearrange the entire room.

When envisioning the new collection of Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile, architects at Bjarke Ingels Group wanted to create a bright, colorful, and vibrant lobby that welcomed residents and their guests with enthusiasm and style. The resulting space features a host of Harlem-inspired murals, a rainbow-colored array of residents’ mailboxes, and a central display of 10 works from No Reply, a series by graffiti artist KAWS. Situated prominently behind the front desk, No Reply turns the lobby into a miniature gallery space, inviting viewers’ eyes to linger on primary colors and cartoonish figures that seem to escape just out of frame.

Fall is the most cherished season for many who live on the East Coast — especially those in New York. Sweater weather, hot apple cider, trick-or-treaters, and pumpkin-spiced baked goods and drinks are just a few of the simple, yet eagerly awaited, pleasures the season brings. Perhaps the quintessential fall delight is watching the leaves change colors. Residents of the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile can make the most of the season with a visit to the heart of the city — Central Park.

The Smile is centrally located in historic Harlem, a vibrant neighborhood offering a wealth of cultural landmarks, some of the city’s most exciting new restaurants and chefs, and easy access to numerous parks and green spaces — including the world-renowned Central Park. Each fall, Central Park’s trees undergo their annual metamorphosis from a canopy of greens into a sea of fiery oranges, reds, and yellows, creating a dramatic, picture-perfect autumn destination. Several of Central Park’s best spots for checking out the changing hues are just moments away from the Harlem apartments for rent at The Smile.

In the northern part of Central Park sits the Conservatory Garden. This pocket of the park running from 104th to 106th Streets on the East Side is known for its crabapple allées. The reddish-orange foliage of these trees at this time of year is complemented by the chrysanthemum display that blooms in full roughly in harmony with the fall foliage. The North Woods stretches from 101st to 110th Streets mid-park and includes the newly restored Ravine, a microcosm of natural splendor with a restored Loch, or lake. The broader North Woods — one of Central Park’s three designated woodlands — is replete with fall foliage, making for a true autumnal retreat within the city.

Residents of The Smile can enjoy a leisurely afternoon or weekend trek through these natural idylls and the neighborhood. On the way back to the comforts of your home, stop by at Ginjan Café for one of their house specialty beverages and delicious, house-made sweet & savory crepes and pastries from Harlem food Artisans.

Whether you’re screening rom-coms, drama, horror, or documentaries — there’s nothing like putting on some popcorn, ordering some takeout, and inviting friends over for movie night. This fall, forgo crowded theaters and watch some of your old faves in the luxe BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group-designed surroundings at the Harlem apartments for rent at The Smile. Here, your movie night in can be a one-of-a-kind experience that’s more than just scrolling through a streaming service endlessly.

With their sleek and spacious design, The Smile’s industrial-chic abodes offer more than enough room to have a viewing party. Selected studios even have robotic Bumblebee beds that lift up and away to the ceiling, providing you and your guests with plenty of space to lounge and relax as you watch a flick or binge on a TV series (or two). But with a world-class collection of unparalleled amenities and community programming available, The Smile offers other ways to ramp up your at-home movie night that are bound to make it a blockbuster hit with everyone who comes to visit. Let’s see how you can roll out the proverbial red carpet for a Hollywood-style evening of entertainment.

In a building full of perks — including a state-of-the-art gym, an on-site coworking space, and a virtual concierge — one of the great pleasures of living at The Smile has to be the massive outdoor space on the roof deck. A literally over-the-top amenity, the rooftop lounge has everything you need to host an al fresco film session, including The Smile’s monthly series: “Movies on the Roof Deck.” Take in cinematic views of the city as you cozy up with a hot beverage or some delicious snacks from the barbecue, and settle back to watch a great film.

If you’d rather be indoors, take advantage of the screening room that not only has a dazzling visual display but also features professional-level acoustics and soundproofing. Before you ease into the screening room’s lounge seating, invite your friends to indulge in tasty bites and sips in The Smile’s demo kitchen. You can invite a chef in to create a feast for your guests, or whip up a meal yourself.

Or, you could order something special from one of the many excellent restaurants in the surrounding area. Think: classic NYC-style pizza from Patsy’s, crispy, roll-up-your-sleeves fried chicken from Sylvia’s, or decadent desserts from Lee Lee’s Baked Goods. You can even “theme” your meal to pair with what you’re watching. We wouldn’t mind a little coq au vin before viewing “Julie & Julia.” Talk about dinner and a movie! Thanks to The Smile’s location and restaurant-caliber demo kitchen, the food you’ll have for your movie night is sure to surpass any concessions you’d find at a theater. Just don’t forget the popcorn!

The best part of having a movie night at the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile is that when the final credits rolls, you’ll already be at home — no subway ride or a cab to flag down, just a quick elevator ride. If you’d like to learn more about The Smile’s top-tier entertainment and lifestyle options, schedule a tour today.

When designing The Smile’s inviting lobby, David Blumenfeld, of the Blumenfeld Development Group sought out works that would capture Harlem’s vibrant cultural heritage and bright future, and he knew that he had struck gold when he found No Reply. Created by American graffiti artist KAWS, No Reply is a series of 100 discrete prints that celebrate color and form with eye-catching arrangements that hint at more beyond each frame. Residents of these Harlem apartments for rent are greeted each day by 10 of these prints behind the front desk in The Smile’s lobby, which is also home to a collection of Harlem-inspired murals and more functional elements like brightly painted residents’ mailboxes.

Read the full article here. 

Alongside traditional health and wellness amenities like the fitness center and rooftop pool, The Smile is boosting residents’ spirits with a fine art installation in the building’s lobby. The 10 prints from the No Reply series by American graffiti artist Kaws invite residents in from the concrete sidewalks via bright colors and round forms that echo the building’s pop-art interior, creating a transition from the streets of Harlem to the comfy Bjarke Ingels-designed collection of Harlem luxury apartments. Residents will find other Harlem-inspired murals around the building’s interior while enjoying sweeping neighborhood views through the floor-to-ceiling windows found in every home at The Smile.

Read the full article here.

Are you looking for an elevated living experience in New York City? The Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile offer residents more than just an amenity-filled oasis in one of Manhattan’s hippest neighborhoods. In these Harlem apartments for rent, you’ll find singular design, amazing views, and cutting-edge home technology you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else — we’re talking about a bed (and much more) that’s stored in the ceiling.

Let’s take a look at one of NYC’s most unique abodes — Residence 405 at The Smile.

Entering 405, you’ll first be struck by this studio’s sense of scale. While many NYC studios are cramped and stuffy, this spectacular space is bright and airy, thanks to nine-foot-high ceilings and massive windows that allow natural light to flood the home. The spacious kitchen has all of the modern conveniences anyone could ask for, including stylish Italian cabinetry, heaps of storage, a dishwasher, a stainless steel fridge, and every New Yorker’s dream: an in-unit washer/dryer.

But when you enter the studio’s main living area, you might ask yourself, “Where is the bed?” Well, all you have to do is look up! The bed retracts into the ceiling with a tap of an app or a voice command. The Smile has employed the latest in home technology with the Bumblebee bed and storage system to maximize your space.

The flexibility a system like this affords is unsurpassed. Friends coming over? Need a change of scenery to better concentrate on work? Want a place to unfurl your yoga mat? Simply say the command, and your entire living space transforms. What would otherwise be a bedroom converts into a place for work, exercise, or entertaining almost instantly, giving this studio the utility of a one-bedroom apartment. When you are ready to go to sleep, multiple safety features and sensors ensure that you can rest easy.

But it’s not just the bed that ascends and descends according to your needs. Storage drawers do, too, keeping your home organized and tidy. This system utilizes cameras to catalog what’s in the drawers, so you’ll always know where your stuff is. For even more storage, there is the massive walk-in closet.

Plus: The Bumblebee system is as pleasing to the eye as it is useful. The furniture’s modern and sleek aesthetic of light oak and clean lines pairs perfectly with the loft-like, industrial-chic design of The Smile.

Given Residence 405’s versatility, you might be tempted to stay in all the time. But one of the greatest perks of living at The Smile is its collection of world-class amenities. Focus on business in the lounge/coworking space. Work on your tan beside the pool while gazing at the city skyline up at the Rooftop Swim Club, or settle in to watch a movie in the outdoor theater. And after indulging in the delights to be found in Harlem’s famous food scene, head to the gym, where you have access to state-of-the-art equipment, including a hamam and a sauna.

So, if you are ready for a truly elevated living experience — and we don’t just mean the Bumblebee bed — contact us to schedule a tour and experience The Smile in person.

The history of jazz is woven into the fabric of Harlem, and living at The Smile means your neighborhood streets were once ringing with the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, and Billie Holiday. Luckily for residents of The Smile, the legacy of live music lives on today. And you’ll find it at venues with the intimacy of old speakeasies as well as the grandeur of halls that have hosted the biggest names in music on the American scene.

The slogan for the Apollo Theater is “the soul of American culture.” More than just a theater, the Apollo is a world unto itself, where some of the greatest performers in history became stars, and where audiences enter the energy of the music like nowhere else. This is where Ella Fitzgerald began her career at age 17, and where New York audiences heard the sounds of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Some of the biggest names in music think of the Apollo as a musical home, like Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo. Reaching toward the future, a number of up-and-coming artists, including Camille A. Brown and Soul Science Lab, will be performing this fall as part of the Apollo New Works series.

For a more intimate musical experience, visit Bill’s Place, where Bill Saxton, the “Jazz King of Harlem,” keeps the spirit of jazz alive in a space reminiscent of the speakeasies of the Prohibition era — in fact, when it opened in the 1920s, that’s exactly what it was. A legend in its own right, this is the place where Billie Holiday got her start, and Fats Waller changed the sound of jazz piano forever. Now, you can swing by on Friday nights to hear Bill Saxton play with the Harlem All Stars.

Minton’s Playhouse — the place “where bebop was born” — is named after founder and saxophone player Henry Minton, and was a space through which the greatest names in jazz have all passed, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, and Miles Davis. This fall, you can catch a whole roster of some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz, including the Luke Carlos O’Reilly Trio, and Christopher McBride, all while feasting on baby back ribs and oysters, and sipping decadent cocktails like the Blue Nile, made with mint, rum, and blue Curaçao.

With so much history available, it’s a gift from the recording heavens that Harlem is also home to the National Jazz Museum, where archived recordings can be heard and historic moments relived. A highlight of the museum’s offerings is the Savory Collection, which features more than 100 hours of performances by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Lester Young that were recorded for radio shows and not heard again since — until now.

At the luxury rental apartments at The Smile in Harlem, you’ll become a part of this living history of music, which is as much a rhythm of a neighborhood as it is an inspired way of life.

New York City is filled with some of the world’s most renowned landmarks and cultural institutions, and Harlem is one of the city’s most storied neighborhoods. Among its most cherished trademarks is its rich and historic restaurant scene. Residents of the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile are just a convenient walk away from modern dining favorites along Harlem’s Restaurant Row, as well as some of the city’s other historic culinary destinations.

Synonymous with Harlem’s legendary restaurant scene is Sylvia’s Restaurant, founded by the “Queen of Soul Food,” the late Sylvia Woods. This soul food stalwart has been serving patrons in Harlem since 1962, with a famed clientele that has included Nelson Mandela, Bruno Mars, and Barack Obama. Of course, one need not be a Nobel laureate or a Grammy Award winner to enjoy Sylvia’s World Famous Talked About Bar-B-Que Ribs with Sylvia’s Original Sassy Sauce or the chicken and waffles, fried and cornmeal-dusted catfish, or chicken livers. Patrons today can enjoy takeout and delivery of Sylvia’s most popular entrees as well as a selection of traditional breakfasts or brunches, desserts, and decadent soul food sides of collard greens, buttered corn, and mac & cheese.

When you live in the Harlem luxury apartments for rent at The Smile, you’ll discover a neighborhood that is ripe for endless exploration — a place whose history and culture make it a world unto itself. To explore the streets that are the birthplace of the Harlem Renaissance, the home of the Apollo Theater, and an inspiration to celebrated writers, musicians, and artists, such as James Baldwin, Billie Holiday, and Alice Neel, is to feel the pull of both the past and the future in a place that has helped to influence and define American culture and the identity of New York City. During the summer, the magic of the community spills out into the streets and the local parks where architecture meets nature. Residents of these Harlem luxury apartments can find their place to play and relax in the great outdoor spaces of one of the greatest New York neighborhoods.

Marcus Garvey Park is a local gathering place featuring two playgrounds, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and plenty of green space to spread out a blanket for a good read or a picnic in the sun. The park’s amphitheater will also be host to some of the most exciting outdoor concerts in the city this summer. You won’t want to miss Charlie Parker With Strings: The Donald Harrison Quartet and the Harlem Symphony Orchestra.

Harlem River Park is the first waterfront park in the city to experiment with innovative designs at the point where land meets water, with an eye toward ease of use, care for the environment, and attention to important features like stormwater capture. This makes for a unique experience at the height of a vision for urban design that intersects city life with nature. Not only that, it’s simply the perfect place to take a stroll or a morning jog with a backdrop of the sunrise over the water.

A great way to see the neighborhood in the summer months is to ride a bike. A short distance from The Smile you’ll find Unlimited Biking: Harlem, where you can rent a bike for the day. Or, you might opt to see the neighborhood with I Bike Harlem — an intimate bike tour led by dedicated local guides, which includes the Alexander Hamilton House, the Apollo Theater, the Langston Hughes House, the Morris-Jumel Mansion, Silvan Terrace, Sugar Hill, Strivers’ Row, the Cotton Club, and a wealth of local history focused on the Harlem Renaissance and Harlem during the civil rights movement.

A place like Harlem changes the meaning of spending the summer outdoors. It offers you an urban treasure trove on every corner, countless glimpses of the city’s history and culture, and delightful neighborhood parks to give you that perfect balance of urban inspiration and the thoughtfully designed outdoors.

Picture the perfect day at the spa, complete with a private massage, an interlude in a sultry steam room, and even a treatment session in a rare Himalayan salt room complete with soothing, color-changing LED lighting. This vision of a relaxing escape is probably framed by stressful journeys via Uber or the subway, trips that detract from the blissful state of mind that a truly luxurious and relaxing spa visit should cultivate. But what if you could head to the spa simply by strolling out of your apartment and getting into an elevator? Residents of the Harlem apartments for rent at The Smile have access to all of this and more without leaving their Bjarke Ingels Group-designed building, thanks to The Smile Spa, a fully equipped relaxation center nestled amid a suite of health and wellness amenities.

Central to The Smile Spa is the hamam, a modern take on the traditional Turkish bath, clad in mosaic tile that sets a relaxing mood from the moment that residents get inside. The hamam establishes the tone for the rest of the spa’s treatment areas, which feature the same attention to detail found throughout this new collection of homes. Even the experiential showers are calibrated to stimulate the residents’ senses, incorporating light and sound to create a peaceful state of mind. Private treatment rooms and pedi-soak stations give residents access to their favorite treatments, while steam rooms and saunas help keep their skin clear and minds at ease.

The Smile Spa is just one of the amenities spaces that makes living at The Smile a complete luxury experience. From the rooftop plunge pool and whirlpools with panoramic Manhattan Skyline and Harlem River views to the state-of-the-art fitness center, complete with Peloton and Nautilus machines, to The Smile Lounge & Co-Working Studio, residents of these Harlem homes have everything they need to work and play just a quick elevator ride away. And, with high ceilings and either northern or southern exposures, the homes themselves invite sunlight and warmth, bathing residents and their high-end kitchens and baths in natural light.

Thanks to Bjarke Ingels Group, every inch of The Smile has been carefully crafted to give residents a sense of comfort and possibility, whether they’re relaxing in the hamam or whipping up a late-night snack on their Caesarstone kitchen countertop. So, get in touch with The Smile team today and see for yourself why this building is making residents grin from ear to ear.

As students return to college this fall, living space takes on a new importance. But student apartments for rent rarely offer enough room in which to live and study comfortably. Enter The Smile in Harlem. Its units are generously spacious in their own right. And they’re blessed with even more room, thanks to the Bumblebee living solution, which transforms your apartment into a bedroom, living room, or office on command. As if that weren’t enough, The Smile also has its own dedicated co-working space — another sanctuary for study.

A Bedroom

An oversized bed in student accommodations is usually seen as a luxury; at The Smile it is something that comes as standard. Using Bumblebee Spaces’ modular furniture system, the bed is stashed in the nine-foot-high ceiling during the day, thanks to a mounted grid able to hold several tons in weight. When bedtime comes, residents simply command the bed to descend; in a matter of seconds the living space is transformed into a bedroom.

A Living Room

After a good night’s rest, command the bed to be stowed back up into the ceiling. Now there’s ample space for morning yoga sessions, as light streams into the apartment through floor-to-ceiling windows. After refreshing in the bathroom, with its polished chrome fixtures and accessories, it’s time to choose your look for the day. Apartments at The Smile feature not one but three closets. And there’s plenty of ceiling storage, too. Even better, that storage space is intelligently catalogued, meaning you can conjure up the right shirt or dress with just a tap on your phone, a voice command, or Siri. A game changer.

An Office

With all the storage space stashed back overhead, your apartment at The Smile offers a peaceful, spacious area in which to study. Use your workspace to best fit your needs and preferences: Try setting up by the window for productive study sessions powered by natural light — not to mention the opportunity to watch Harlem passing by below. Coffee breaks couldn’t be simpler (or classier) thanks to the designer kitchen with its imported Italian cabinetry and stainless steel appliance suite. And anytime you need to access books and study materials, they’re just a voice command away.

A Bonus Work Space

Feel like working outside the apartment for a while, but not keen on traveling to the campus? Head to The Smile’s fourth-floor lounge and co-working studio. This stylish space, embellished with concrete finishes, offers ample studying space. The acoustically insulated screening room with lounge seating is perfect for workshopping with fellow students. Get to know them better when playtime comes around by shooting pool in the lounge’s game room or hosting a potluck meal in the demo kitchen. No wonder a community of Columbia University students has already taken up residence in these Harlem luxury apartments.

Renters looking for stylish new homes for work and play will love the Harlem rentals at The Smile from BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group. Designed with an eye toward sleek, contemporary aesthetics, these studio to two-bedroom homes feature oversized windows that flood the interiors with natural light thanks to the building’s curving, setback facade. Residents also enjoy oversized closets and in-unit washers and dryers, rare luxuries among Manhattan rentals. Best of all, residents have access to the building’s suite of attractive amenities, which includes a fully equipped fitness center and spa as well as a spacious rooftop deck with a pool and lounge area.

CityRealty featured the modular homes at The Smile in their roundup of the new trends sweeping the home design field. Crafted by the forward-looking architects at Bjarke Ingels Group, the Harlem rentals at The Smile have been built for the future, especially the modular studios, which are equipped with furniture that converts the living room into a bedroom by storing a full set of bedroom furniture on the ceiling while it’s not in use. This robotic system even remembers where residents have placed their items, allowing for easy retrieval of a scarf or hat without needing to call down an entire bedroom’s worth of furniture.

As the summer stretches on, New Yorkers are eager to break out the apron and tongs and get to grilling. While most Manhattanites will head to the park to secure a public grill, residents of the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile just need to take the elevator to their own rooftop to enjoy a private grilling experience complete with nearby pool and sweeping Harlem views. The Smile Rooftop Swim Club features a plunge pool, three whirlpools, and a host of grills and dining areas, making it the perfect place to host a summer BBQ extravaganza without leaving the comfort and style of your own Bjarke Ingels Group-designed building.

BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group has successfully infused the spirit of Harlem’s neighborhood into the luxury apartments at The Smile and, in doing so, their attention to detail has been the perfect way to harness the neighborhood’s energy. With their array of loft-style homes, and details like exposed-concrete ceilings, open living spaces, and miles of city views, the apartments at The Smile take a quintessential New York aesthetic and carry it into the future. 

Residence 519 is a perfect example of how The Smile’s new rentals pay homage to the city and pave the way for how life here might look and feel as we reach new innovations in design. This 458-square-foot studio apartment features a galley kitchen with stainless steel finishes and state-of-the-art appliances; a spacious bathroom; a light and airy living area with massive windows; and a game-changing 200-square-foot terrace, where the possibilities for socializing, gardening, or just relaxing in the shade are endless. With plenty of counter and storage space, the kitchen is the place to fulfill your cooking aspirations, while the terrace beckons you to set up a personal space and dine al fresco whenever the mood strikes.

Just as the terrace expands your sense of home both physically and mentally, the plentiful amenities at The Smile, and the on-site spaces they occupy, are also an extension of your home. Spend days enjoying your own staycation at the rooftop pool, which features three whirlpools and dramatic skyline views. Relax in the sauna, Himalayan salt room, or the hamam in The Smile’s spa. Or, enjoy a sensory shower, which is a curated experience of sound, light, and water. Residents of The Smile also have access to a coworking space, a game room, and a demo kitchen.

Outside The Smile’s gently curving facade, the cultural attractions, destination restaurants, and prime shopping of Harlem await. Hear legends play The Apollo, feast on hot honey chicken at Red Rooster, and shop at the open air market La Marqueta.

When you return home to an apartment like Residence 519 at The Smile, you carry all of this bounty through the door with you. This is a place that brings you the richness of living in New York City in a space that is uniquely Harlem, totally cutting-edge, and entirely your own.

So, sign up for a tour of one of the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile by contacting the leasing team today!

Summer has reached Manhattan, sending New Yorkers in search of refreshing pools where they can escape the heat. Residents of the Harlem apartments for rent at The Smile can enjoy The Smile Rooftop Swim Club, a spacious rooftop deck featuring a plunge pool, three whirlpools, and Vondom lounge furniture chosen for its colorful design and comfort. The plunge pool is the perfect place to cool off while appreciating panoramic New York City views, and if that’s not enough, the roof deck is also equipped with barbecues, dining areas, and an open-air movie theater where residents gather to enjoy the cool evening air once the sun has finally set.

Residents of the new luxury Harlem rentals at The Smile have access to a suite of fitness and recreation amenities, capped by a rooftop deck featuring stylish modern furniture from renowned furniture brand Vondom. The rooftop, which is home to a pool, multiple whirlpools, and barbecues, is outfitted with Pillow Sun Lounges, a playful take on the classic chaise lounge that replaces the metal and rubber structure with a weatherproof molded pillow in a variety of vibrant colors. Complementary lounge chairs and coffee tables complete the collection and rhyme with the primary color scheme explored throughout the Bjarke Ingels Group-designed building.

The New York Post reports that Manhattanites have embraced car ownership in the last year, making convenient garages one of the most sought-after amenities in residential buildings. Lucky residents of the Harlem apartments for rent at The Smile, the recently completed collection of homes from Bjarke Ingels Group, have access to a private garage with a direct elevator, meaning that residents can pull into their spot and ride all the way to their floor. In addition to the other amenities, which include a spacious rooftop deck, the garage makes renting at The Smile “a no-brainer” for many Manhattanites who have grown used to relying on their car.

Just in time for the summer heat, the newly completed rooftop pool at The Smile topped Lux Exposé’s list of the best pools in New York City. Residents of these BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group-designed Harlem luxury apartments have access to The Smile Rooftop Swim Club, which features a plunge pool, three whirlpools, dining areas equipped with barbecues, and an open-air movie theater, all set against the iconic backdrop of the Harlem River and Manhattan skyline. Residents enjoy access to other amenities spaces, too, including The Smile Fitness Club and The Smile Spa, while living in spacious homes with minimalist interiors centered around floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the rooms with natural light.

The new Bumblebee apartment has debuted at the new Harlem rentals at The Smile, putting a stylish and high-tech twist on downsizing and minimalist living. The studio apartment is equipped with a sleek set of modular furniture from Bumblebee Spaces, which turns the living space into a bedroom with the touch of a smartphone screen by lowering a bed and storage space to the floor from a ceiling-mounted grid. “It started as a side project in my own home to make a dramatically more efficient use of space,” said Bumblebee founder Sankarshan Murthy, who believes that his system will revolutionize how we look at square footage in homes. “You can get an office, a bedroom, a workout area, a lounge—all within the footprint that you have.”

A new partnership between the collection of Harlem rentals designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group at The Smile and a Brooklyn-based drink mix startup is looking to put a grin on residents’ faces. The new canned mixers from AVEC are upgrading drinks around the city, and now they’ll be stocked at events and activations at The Smile, bringing a tasty beverage to every joyous occasion in the happy building. Keep reading for a closer look at these delicious, all-natural mixers that will be coming to The Smile soon!

Founded just last summer by UK native Alex Doman and entrepreneur (and current Harlem resident) Dee Charlemagne, AVEC is designed to be every cocktail drinker’s go-to mixer. The company uses all-natural ingredients, including real juices, botanicals, and spices, to create new and classic cocktail flavors with fewer calories and sugars than other mixers. Their chic, environmentally friendly cans are stocked on the shelves of dozens of stores around the New York City area and can now be found at events at The Smile.

AVEC’s flavors range from traditional to experimental, all with the same dedication to quality and exciting flavor. Their classic Ginger mixer is based on Jamaican Ginger Beer and makes for an easy Moscow Mule as well as a great base for rum or tequila drinks. More adventurous drinkers will love the Yuzu & Lime, which combines the East Asian citrus with lemongrass and lime for a tart mixer with 0 calories and sugar, the perfect partner for some good tequila. Spicy margarita lovers will reach for a handsome can of Jalapeño & Blood Orange, a tart, spicy mixer that goes great with the smoky flavor of mezcal.

These tasty mixers and more will be served at select events and activations at The Smile, bringing the building’s community together with friends to enjoy some delicious cocktails in a sleek, modern setting. BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group’s design for The Smile’s public spaces emphasizes natural light and open space, from the Rooftop Swim Club, complete with chaise lounges and multiple hot tubs, to The Smile Lounge, which brings a modern coffee shop vibe to the coworking floor. 

Together, AVEC and The Smile are helping residents create unforgettable moments with friends. So, look for these colorful cans at your local market and sign up for a tour of one of the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile by contacting the leasing team today!

World Architecture News reported on BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group’s latest foray into New York City, this time along a historic stretch of 125th Street. Dubbed The Smile due to its pleasantly curving facade, this collection of Harlem rentals pays homage to the neighborhood’s history while bringing a sleek, modern aesthetic to the interiors. Spacious homes with large closets and floor-to-ceiling windows are flooded with sunlight thanks to the building’s uniquely shaped facade, which leans gently backward to admit maximum daylight. Elsewhere in the building, residents will enjoy access to a suite of luxury amenities that includes a fully equipped fitness center and spa, as well as coworking spaces and a theater, all of which adhere to CDC guidelines.

Off the Mrkt reports that the first high-tech homes at The Smile have hit the market. The studios at the Harlem luxury apartments from BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group are equipped with systems from Bumblebee Spaces that take full advantage of every cubic foot by storing furniture on the ceiling when it’s not being used, effectively doubling the usable area. The sophisticated robotic system even remembers where residents have placed their belongings, allowing for quick retrieval of a favorite hat with a simple request. Together, Bumblebee Spaces and The Smile are reinventing the New York City apartment for the 21st century, turning even the smallest homes into robust living spaces.

What if you could put two rooms’ worth of stuff in a single space? This was the topic of a debate between Sankarshan Murthy and his wife years ago upon taking over a tiny San Francisco-area apartment. Now, Murthy has founded a company called Bumblebee Spaces and begun to install his answer to that question in studio and one-bedroom apartments at The Smile in Harlem. Five homes at the BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group-designed collection of Harlem apartments for rent are equipped with Murthy’s modular furniture system — a ceiling-mounted robotic storage solution that works like a Murphy bed for the 21st century by raising and lowering a bed and storage at the tap of a finger. The system even keeps track of where residents have put their belongings, allowing for easy retrieval of a favorite item.

The Smile and Bumblebee Spaces have teamed up to offer lucky New York City residents a glimpse into the future. Five select homes at the BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group-designed collection of Harlem rentals are equipped with modular furniture systems from San Francisco-based Bumblebee Spaces. These ingenious robotic mechanisms effectively multiply each home’s usable space by lifting furniture to the ceiling when it’s not being used. This means that a studio apartment’s bedroom space will become a comfortable living room with the touch of a button or a verbal request — a user experience that Bumblebee Spaces’ CEO and co-founder Sankarshan Murthy says was inspired by Iron Man’s highly modular home in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Many animal lovers are taking special notice of the Harlem luxury apartments designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, The Smile. These new homes are pet-friendly, while the building is conveniently located between a number of Manhattan’s best dog runs. So, clip that leash on Fido and check out why living at The Smile is a treat for residents and their best furry friends.

Whether they’re bringing a four-legged companion, a terrarium-dwelling lizard, or a tank of colorful fish to The Smile, residents will need to get the right food and toys for their pets. Fortunately, the nearby Ideal Pet Warehouse is a one-stop shop for everything pet-related, while The Pet Store just a little further south, features a wide variety of pet food as well as specialty tropical fish. Between these two shops, residents of The Smile should be able to get everything they need to keep their pets healthy and happy.

While many pets are full-time apartment dwellers, we all know that most dogs need some space to run around. Residents of The Smile live near some of the city’s best parks and dog runs, including the nearby Harlem River Park and Marcus Garvey Park.

Best known for its expansive sports fields, Harlem River Park is just a four-minute distance from The Smile and features nearly six acres of wide-open space that’s great for excited pooches to work out their zoomies. Residents will love bringing a ball and playing a rousing game of fetch or simply running with their dog around the large fields.

Less than 10 minutes away from The Smile’s front door is Marcus Garvey Park. Named after the early 20th-century Black leader and intellectual, the park spans over 20 acres and includes the celebrated Marcus Garvey Dog Run, where pooches and their owners come together to socialize, play, and get a workout.

When both two- and four-legged residents have tired themselves out, it’s time to return to the stylish Harlem rentals at The Smile, where they will be welcomed home by the lobby attendant before being whisked to their residence by the building’s speedy elevators. So, if you and your pet are looking for a new home, reach out to The Smile’s team to schedule a virtual tour and start your new life in Harlem today!

The Smile offers a range of highly desirable luxury apartments in the heart of Harlem. At Apartment #503, bold, brutalist design blends with deliciously practical spaces, finished with state-of-the-art fixtures and appliances. The building’s superlative amenities will put a smile on your face, too.

Welcome to Apartment #503

The moment you enter this apartment, you’re wowed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group’s stunning design. Exposed concrete features, gleaming white monolithic resin floors, and floor-to-ceiling glass evoke a sense of light, spaciousness, and industrial chic. Like other apartments for rent at The Smile, #503 boasts nine-foot-high ceilings — a true luxury in loft-style living. Such capaciousness isn’t just striking, but practical, too. A high-end washer and dryer are easily accommodated in the apartment, while oversized closets mean you’ll have ample space to store year-round fashions.

Dazzling Modern Touches

Every fixture and fitting in this unique Harlem rental complements the overall design. The sizable open kitchen features Italian stainless steel cabinetry and matching stainless steel appliances. Plus, there are dazzling modern touches, such as color-changing LED lighting. With its breakfast bar and adjoining dining and lounge areas, the kitchen at The Smile makes a great space for whipping up midweek meals or hosting weekend dinner parties. 

Amenities to Make Friends Envious

The Smile has some seriously enviable amenities, too — 20,000 square feet of them. Chill poolside at the Rooftop Swim Club, or enjoy a soak in one of the three whirlpools, which come with dramatic Manhattan skyline views as standard. Lose yourself to beats in the dance studio or make sushi in the open-aspect demonstration kitchen. Spend a constructive day at your laptop in the coworking studio, and then unwind while shooting pool with pals in the game room. And, of course, anytime you head out the door, you’re in one of New York City’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Want to Rent at the Smile?

If Apartment #503 is the one for you, or you have your eye on one of The Smile’s other rental residences, book a virtual tour guided by a team member. This will be followed by a safe and secure site visit with social distancing, personal protective equipment for all visitors, and paperwork completed via DocuSign.

The studio apartments at The Smile by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group are getting a serious upgrade thanks to Bumblebee Spaces. These intimate homes are equipped with the firm’s ceiling-mounted, voice-controlled, completely modular furniture system, which takes advantage of a space’s cubic volume to multiply its furniture capacity. The result is a sleek bedroom set, complete with bed, desk, and drawers, all of which tuck themselves snugly into a ceiling-mounted frame at a word, opening up the studio’s main room for living and dining. The smart furniture even remembers where residents store their belongings, giving them the power to retrieve their best hat or much-needed umbrella by simply saying the word.

Lux Exposé explored a high-tech studio residence in BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group’s new collection of Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile, showing how Bumblebee Spaces’s modular furniture system multiplies the possibilities of even the most intimate space. Mounted on the ceiling in the studio, this robotic furniture system turns a living room into a bedroom with the touch of a button (or a voice command) by lifting or lowering a full-size bed and set of “drawers.” The system, designed by a team of former Apple and Tesla engineers, even remembers where residents store individual items, making retrieving that scarf or notebook as easy as saying they need it.

As New Yorkers adjust to a year with COVID-19, Brick Underground reports that buildings like The Smile in Harlem have adjusted their on-site procedures to ensure their residents have full access to their health and wellness amenities. Residents of the BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group-designed Harlem rentals at The Smile have access to The Smile Fitness Club, where state-of-the-art equipment, including Peloton bikes and Nautilus machines, can be reserved via the URBN Playground app to provide safe social distancing. In addition to helping maintain appropriate pandemic precautions, the app gives residents the ability to check how busy the fitness center is from the comfort of their own residence.

Architectural Digest raved over the design for The Smile, highlighting architect BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group’s efforts to blend his steel-and-glass building into the fabric of Harlem. “Like a good neighbor, it fits into the existing neighborhood,” said Ingels, whose design for the 11-story collection of Harlem rentals features a curving facade that floods the street below and the homes inside with natural light. The building’s checkerboard architectural design gives each home a floor-to-ceiling window from which residents can see nearby Harlem and greater Manhattan. Elsewhere in the building, residents will enjoy access to a suite of luxury amenities, including a plunge pool with multiple whirlpool tubs and a rooftop movie theater.

The new Harlem rentals at The Smile place you at the heart of a legendary New York neighborhood and into a luxuriously modern building that provides for your every need — and beyond. Right now, “beyond” includes a partnership with JAJA Tequila, an award-winning brand, already hailed by some of the biggest names in music and fashion. 

JAJA’s journey began in the Mexican state of Jalisco and ends at your doorstep at The Smile, where every resident 21 years old and up is greeted with a complimentary bottle of JAJA. This is only the beginning of what will prove to be an even deeper partnership in the months to come – stay tuned! 

As JAJA’s founder puts it: “We developed JAJA’s brand ethos to be ‘Smile, Laugh, and Celebrate.’ With JAJA, we know we’re celebrating with a great-tasting tequila, but also keeping it unpretentious, lighthearted, cool, and, of course, eco-friendly.” The quest for the ultimate tequila led the founders to Mexico and to the creation of a drink whose quality is pushed to its utmost at every step of the production process. They started with the heart and soul of the best tequilas: pure agave. In this case, the agave is aged for seven years, cooked, and then fermented for 72 hours. The tequila is then distilled in copper-lined pot stills with volcanic water. It’s a meticulous process that reaps delicious rewards. This is the kind of product where you can practically taste the land, plants, sky, and geography that made it possible. You can get it from a range of retail locations, as well as luxury hotels and the finest bars and restaurants. However, perhaps the best place to enjoy it is in the comfort of your home at The Smile.

Whether you are planning that long-anticipated party with friends and family, or looking to create a magical night at home with your loved ones, JAJA’s Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo tequilas are all incarnations of a pure agave tequila experience. JAJA Blanco offers notes of pepper and citrus, while the Reposado, which is aged in oak barrels for six months, has notes of vanilla and honey. Anejo is aged in oak barrels for two years and boasts the requisite complexity and smoothness. Blanco is perfect for making truly distinctive margaritas, and its high quality and flavor will instantly transform your sunny loft-style apartment into a party zone — just add some lively Norteño or mariachi music to complete the scene.

Your new favorite drink can bring a touch of the festivity and flavor of Mexico to your life thanks to this unique partnership with JAJA, whose name, along with the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile, conjures happiness. Learn more about the bold and bright residences at The Smile by contacting the leasing team or filling out a rental application today.

Style meets function at The Smile, the new collection of Harlem luxury apartments from BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, which features a unique exterior designed to greet residents and passersby alike. The steel and glass checkerboard facade curves back and inward, seemingly draped from the brick buildings on either side, flooding the street below with sunlight while creating floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular city views in each of the modern Harlem rental homes within. The blackened stainless-steel panels received a high-tech treatment in Germany that contrasts with the interposed windows while concealing the window frames, resulting in a seamless presentation that grins out at 126th Street.

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The sleek lunar surface of The Smile’s facade made the pages of Architects’ Datafile, where the magazine showcased the new building’s mysterious exterior. Draped like a sail between the brickwork buildings to either side, The Smile will present a checkerboard of glass and steel that catches the sun and reflects it at unique angles, creating an ever-shifting series of reflections while flooding the street below with natural light. From within, the glass panels create floor-to-ceiling windows in each residence, revealing the city beyond and letting in ample natural light. On the building’s roof, residents of these Harlem rentals will have access to more city views as well as a suite of luxury amenities.

Departures reports that The Smile will be the first building in New York City to feature futuristic furniture from Bumblebee Spaces. Select Harlem luxury apartments at BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group’s latest project will complement their sleek, modern interiors with the tech startup’s modular furniture system, which uses a ceiling-mounted grid to store multiple rooms’ worth of furniture that can be deployed with a word to a Siri-connected device. In addition to raising and lowering beds and tables seamlessly to and from the ceiling, the Bumblebee Spaces system learns where residents store their belongings, making retrieving a yoga mat or coat as easy as saying the word.

Read the full article here.

The future has arrived with the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile, and it invokes opera hall sets and floating tea lights as much as it does the ingenious technology of designers who honed their talents at places like Apple and Tesla. The Smile’s Bumblebee residences are equipped with Bumblebee’s new modular technology, which opens living spaces into a new dimension. Taking full advantage of airspace, ingenuity, and possibility, Bumblebee remakes the modern home by letting you raise your bed, desk, and storage systems into the ceiling whenever you wish. This means that in seconds you can transform a bedroom into your dream work-from-home space, an art studio, or a pristine and spacious room for practicing yoga completely unencumbered. 

In addition to its practicality, the Bumblebee system is an elegant use of the marriage of form and function and opens the door to a way of thinking about design where a single piece of furniture has multiple uses. It’s also revolutionary in the way it employs AI, which keeps track of your things, so you can literally ask it where your favorite shirt is anytime. The system is able to document your belongings and keep track of where everything is by creating a photo catalog of what’s inside the modules, using a privacy-first, object-recognition system. This is more than just a way to make your life easier and more spacious; it’s a way to rethink the domestic sphere, imagine the possibilities beyond conventional understandings of space and organization, and make day-to-day life more creative and flexible. 

It’s a perfect complement to life in Harlem, where the creative muses of art and music have reigned for years, and storied places like the Apollo Theater and the Studio Museum in Harlem are just a short walk away. The system is also a fitting extension of the genius of the building itself, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group. Made to perch gracefully in its place in the neighborhood, the facade was built with a  “smiling” sweep that allows the sky and the city to play a starring role in each residence. The play of light and skyline in the windows is echoed by the rise and fall of the Bumblebee system. And if there is something futuristic about these systems, they are also a natural extension of The Smile’s approach to making life as easy and as pleasant as possible at these new rental developments in Harlem. With a thoughtfully designed fitness center, rooftop pool, and whirlpool area, coworking spaces, on-site parking, viewing room, and spa, your whole experience of life at The Smile in the heart of New York City will feel a bit like your needs are being attended to by a team that knows what you want and how you want it—because, with their edge on the future of amenities and innovative design, the visionaries behind The Smile will be right behind you too.

Learn more about the bold and bright residences at The Smile by contacting the leasing team or filling out a rental application today.

The new Harlem rentals at The Smile boast an impressive suite of luxury amenities, but simply building a state-of-the-art fitness center and spa is just the first step. Especially with social distancing guidelines, managing communal amenities efficiently is of utmost importance, which is why The Smile has partnered with URBN Playground to create a full-service concierge for residents. In addition to maintenance and scheduling, URBN Playground provides personalized services, group workshops, entertainment options, and much more!

Residents interact with URBN Playground’s services in one of two ways. The first and most straightforward is via the smartphone app, which residents use to schedule concierge services like housekeeping and pet grooming appointments as well as to reserve time slots in the building’s fitness center. And URBN Playground’s knowledgeable and skilled staff are always on-site to help manage these amenities should residents need extra assistance.

For everything above and beyond these simple matters of scheduling and access, URBN Playground’s Amenity Director steps in. The Smile’s Dedicated Amenity Director is each resident’s advocate and assistant, working personally to ensure that everyone who lives at The Smile gets the most out of the building and neighborhood. This high-touch approach to amenity management makes URBN Playground’s services a part of everyday life at The Smile.

URBN Playground strives to connect The Smile residents with one another as well as their community through local partnerships and, in the age of COVID, via mainly virtual events and programming, including virtual fitness classes at @urbnburn Instagram Live. Recently, residents have participated in Comedy for a Cause with Liz Miele in support of local restaurants, learned to cook from Chef Danny Boome, and even engaged in some digital networking while figuring out how to navigate the pandemic job market with the Keen on You Professional Development series. In a fun addition, the programming also includes Manifestation events with numerology and tarot card readings.

Outside The Smile, URBN Playground has partnered with national and local providers to offer discounts and promotions to residents. Sporty residents will love the discount from Athleta, the leading women’s athletic and athleisure designer, while local affiliates, including Partners Coffee and Rosehip Social, give residents an excuse to savor an exquisitely crafted cup of coffee and an exquisite floral display.

All these services are merely the jumping-off point for what residents can expect from URBN Playground. As part of the high-touch service, URBN Playground’s staff is always seeking the next best way to satisfy and please The Smile’s residents. So, why not come up with a few new ideas for your future lifestyle while experiencing a virtual tour of your new Harlem home?

Learn more about the bold and bright residences at The Smile by contacting the leasing team or filling out a rental application today.

What fuels the creativity and unstoppable energy of NYC? Some might say ambition, some might say passion, but everyone knows what really inspires us to get up and get going. That’s right, it’s coffee. With that in mind, when looking for a home, proximity to their favorite coffee spot is simply not negotiable for a lot of New Yorkers. Luckily, residents of the Harlem luxury rentals at The Smile have a bevy of options for their favorite morning beverage. 

Whether you’re in a spacious studio or a sprawling two-bedroom, you’ll wake up in industrial-chic splendor in the heart of Harlem. While you could pull out the French press or prep the Chemex for a pour-over in the sleek, modern kitchen, why not take a quick stroll through this vibrant neighborhood and call in at some local businesses to get your caffeine fix? Here’s a list of top-tier spots where you can enjoy the world’s best coffee and savor the city’s tastiest breakfast treats and snacks.

Ginjan Café | 85 East 125th Street

Get ready to start your day with an elixir that’s bound to put some pep in your step — and we don’t mean the premium African coffee found at Ginjan Cafe. We’re talking about their signature drink: ginjan. This ginger-based juice created from a millennia-old African recipe is sweet and spicy and hits all the right notes for an early-morning drink. Pro tip: Grab a bottle to go and save it for the evening, where it makes the perfect addition to cocktails. 

Harlem Blues Café | 2144 Fifth Avenue

Your blues are sure to melt away when you order some joe and grub at this small and intimate cafe. Yes, you can get a life-affirming cup of coffee from this lovely place, but the food here is equally impressive. If you think a Nutella crepe sounds like an indulgent breakfast, you’re right! And you can indulge to your heart’s content at this local spot. 

Levain Bakery | 2167 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

Speaking of sweets, the sugary delights of Levain Bakery have gained a cultish following ever since a pair of friends opened their first shop on the Upper West Side over 25 years ago. Today, outposts can be found throughout the city — including one near the Harlem rentals at The Smile. Get there early, as you may find a queue forming. Their heaping chocolate chip cookies are the reason why. Much more than your average, flat Toll House-style number, a Levain treat is a mound of chocolatey goodness that pairs perfectly with their world-class coffee. 

Pabade Bakery & Cafe | 135 East 110th Street

You may have seen Pabade Bakery & Cafe’s famous pastries in stores like Whole Foods and Union Market. However, within a few minutes’ distance from The Smile, you’ll have access to this family-owned bakery’s full line of freshly baked goodies, including scones, brownies, tarts, and cakes — and you can pair them with a steaming cup of La Colombe coffee. NYC foodies flock to Pabade for their renowned vegan muffins with flavors like blueberry, chocolate chip, and banana. Learn more about the bold and bright residences at The Smile by contacting the leasing team or filling out a rental application today.

The South China Morning Post featured The Smile in its report on how residential buildings in Manhattan are adjusting to meet the new health and safety needs created by the global pandemic. Designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, The Smile is bringing 233 Harlem apartments for rent to the historic East 126th Street corridor, complete with a suite of amenities and services calibrated to make modern work-from-home life safe and comfortable. The building will conform with all CDC requirements as well as enforcing enhanced occupancy and cleaning measures in the building’s amenities spaces like the spa, fitness center, and rooftop deck.

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When designing the facade for the new collection of Harlem luxury apartments, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group was adamant that the building should be a “good neighbor.” The result is a glass and steel facade draped between the brick buildings to either side, leaning back in scalloped shape and curving at the top to create the eponymous Smile. The 233 homes at The Smile feature floor-to-ceiling windows set into this facade, flooding the spacious interiors with natural light and providing exciting city views.

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When viewed from above, The Smile is laid out in a regular T shape with its long edge along Harlem’s historic East 126th Street, allowing for a variety of layouts in the building’s 233 homes. From the sidewalk, however, The Smile’s facade on 126th presents an unforgettable view: to conform with a 1916 zoning law mandating that buildings not loom over the street and obscure natural light, architects BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group designed The Smile’s facade with a gentle sweep, curving up and away from the street in a checkerboard of floor-to-ceiling windows and aluminum panels. This design gives each one of these Harlem luxury apartments an open view of the city around them, connecting residents with their neighborhood from the moment they wake up.

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After a year of sheltering in place and social-distancing guidelines, apartment hunters are looking at what kind of outdoor spaces and amenities will come with their new pad. Mansion Global highlights the combination of open and compartmentalized recreational spaces available for residents of the Harlem apartments for rent at The Smile. This new BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group-designed luxury tower features a host of amenities, including a spacious rooftop deck complete with a pool as well as private grill and hot tub areas perfect for socially distant partying. Residences at The Smile feature large, light-filled interiors and range in size from studios to 2 bedrooms.

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New York City is currently in the grip of frigid temps and snowy winter weather. However, you can enjoy your days and nights, warm and comfortable, at home in the Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile. Located in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, these Harlem rentals offer a respite from the chill of the season — not to mention a sophisticated sense of style and a host of luxury amenities. With an open, airy industrial-chic aesthetic and perfect temperature control, The Smile is one of the best places to get and stay cozy until spring arrives. If you’re looking for a fun and satisfying way to spend your time in the great indoors this winter, channel your inner sommelier and have a wine tasting!

There’s no need to travel to France or even the vineyards of Long Island to learn about wine. Hone your oenophilia from the comfort of home. Business Insider has some terrific recommendations for a virtual vino experience, and many of them are absolutely free. We’ll raise a glass to that. 

Don’t know your cabernet from your Côtes du Rhônes? Ease yourself into the world of wine with a class from Coursera, the online learning platform. Whether you want to impress at a restaurant with your knowledge of varietal vocab or simply discern the difference between a good and a bad bottle, this gratis 14-hour class will give you the tools you need to make informed decisions. 

When you begin to really learn about wine, you realize that it’s all about terroir — that is, the land, environment, and climate that produces the grapes that make your wine. One person who had a deep understanding of this subject was the legendary Prussia-born vintner Charles Krug. 

Today, we know the Napa Valley in California as one of the most renowned wine regions in the world. But in the 1800s, that wasn’t so. After seeing the Mediterranean-like climate and bountiful land in Napa, Charles Krug established California winemaking. Though his ideas took a while to catch on, the Charles Krug name now stands for excellent California vintages. You can savor the vineyard’s indulgent offerings with a wine delivery membership. Customize the frequency and your preferences, and get ready to relax, unwind, and enjoy. With this membership, you’ll almost certainly learn about wines you might otherwise never have discovered. Plus, you can sip a glass and watch a live comedy special presented by Charles Krug. Laughter and libations make an excellent pairing. 

Need a good bottle to go with dinner on a typical weekday evening? Check out some of the many options that surround you near your home at The Smile — all you need after that is your favorite drinkware and a corkscrew. Either stop by or have your favorite delivered from Harlem Wine Gallery, a boutique shop that has everything from the perfect malbec to a 2011 Armand Rousseau Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru. For intriguing or obscure sips, your best bet is to call in at Wine & Unwind. The staff here is very knowledgeable and can match your preferred profile with just the right varietal. For quick delivery of premium wine, check out Hamilton Wine House, where they not only stock the best of the best but also deliver in under an hour.

If you want to warm up luxuriously with a glass of wine at The Smile, schedule a tour with our leasing team to see these bright, spacious Harlem apartments. We recommend starting with a virtual tour, and then stopping by for a visit — socially distanced, of course, and with personal protective equipment available on-site. Cheers!

Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of cracking open a book, relaxing in a quiet and comfortable spot, and taking in an entertaining or inspiring story. With winter weather blustering its way through the Manhattan streets, there is no better time to do a little reading. And there’s no better place for it than the new Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile. Here are a few great books to get you started — and even an idea or two about how to turn your reading habit into a fun and fulfilling social activity!

Author Tara Westover was born to a fundamentalist Mormon family in rural Idaho in 1986, never attending school until she and her brother secretly applied and were accepted to Brigham Young University. “Educated,” her memoir, captures the arc of her life: from her survivalist upbringing to her single-minded drive to build a better life to realizing her dream of connecting with the larger world through higher education. Told in sparkling prose, Westover’s story is an inspiring tale of the power of the human spirit.

Readers intrigued by the Westover clan won’t be able to put down “The Glass Castle,” the 2005 memoir by Jeannette Walls that tells the story of the author’s unconventional upbringing at the hands of a pair of dysfunctional, yet charismatic and free-spirited, parents. Walls and her siblings move frequently around the country with their family, enduring poverty, the effects of her father’s drinking, and other hardships. But despite these difficulties, Walls forges a successful life for herself and writes of her family with warmth and affection.

Residents of The Smile who are equal parts intimidated and intrigued by the great classics should think about either joining or starting a virtual book club. Over the past year, Zoom lobbies have replaced coffee shops and living rooms as settings for literary salons, and the spacious, light-filled homes at The Smile are perfect for both reading and video conferencing. Some clubs are run by publications and organizations. For example, the Seattle newspaper The Stranger is hosting a reading and discussion of “The Plague,” by Albert Camus and the DC Public Library is guiding readers through books like Elizabeth Acevedo’s teen novel, “With the Fire on High”.

The spacious homes at The Smile are the perfect reading retreats for winter, so why not schedule a virtual tour today and see them for yourself? Learn more about the bold and bright residences at The Smile by contacting the leasing team or filling out a rental application today.

The Smile is a new building from the mind of BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group that brings 233 studio to 2-bedroom Harlem apartments for rent to the booming East 126th Street corridor. Laid out in a T-shaped footprint, The Smile takes its name from the sculptural facade that curves back and around 126th, keeping the sidewalk light and airy in a unique way. On top of the building, a suite of recreational amenities brings a new level of luxury living to the changing neighborhood, while Italian cabinetry and Kohler fixtures add a touch of elegance to minimalist interiors.

The Architect’s Newspaper covered the final days of construction at The Smile at the end of last year, highlighting the creative way in which the collection of Harlem apartments for rent fulfilled a century-old zoning regulation. Passed in 1916, the ordinance requires stepped-back facades to keep the street light and breezy. Faced with this challenge, renowned architects BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group came up with the ingenious solution: by curving up and back from street level to the roof, the building’s facade along East 126th Street creates a wide grinning shape that allows light and air to flow to the sidewalk while also providing unobstructed views from the building’s windows.

As the first residents move into The Smile, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group’s latest collection of Harlem apartments for rent, the building’s head-turning design is generating conversation around the architecture world. Outlets like Dezeen featured photos of the building’s facade, which curves back from the sidewalk to maximize the light and fresh air at street level, and commenters love the striking checkerboard pattern that smiles down on East 126th Street. The homes inside The Smile feature minimalist layouts and high-end appliances and finishes, including Italian cabinetry in the kitchens and Kohler fixtures in the baths. And, with a suite of amenities including a spa and rooftop swimming deck, The Smile represents a new level of luxury in Harlem.

The first residents are moving into new Harlem luxury apartments from visionary BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group. Dubbed “The Smile,” this collection of Harlem homes features a unique checkerboard facade along East 126th Street that curves inward from the sidewalk, providing ample light and air to city streets. The resulting building looks out at the historic surroundings with an unobtrusive smile, making its mark without overshadowing its iconic red-brick neighbors. Inside, homes at The Smile feature minimalist, light-filled interiors with spacious layouts and luxury appliances and finishes, while residents have access to a suite of on-site amenities, including four swimming pools and a fully equipped fitness center.

In the wake of the Second Avenue Subway extension, The Smile is leading the charge for new-construction homes in Harlem, and no other development combines a unique design (from BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group) with a suite of luxury amenities and chic interiors in quite the same way. Developed by Blumenfeld Development Group, The Smile features 233 Harlem apartments for rent, ranging in size from studios to two bedrooms, as well as a comprehensive amenities package encompassing a massive spa with hammam and LED salt room, a fully equipped coworking studio, and a landscaped rooftop terrace great for everything from grilling to screening movies.

As we’re set to usher in a new year, why not set the stage with a stylish upgrade for your apartment at The Smile? The homeware and gardening stores that will help you make it happen are right on the doorstep.

Harlem Furniture | 12 West 125th Street

We’ve all been spending more time at home lately—and because of that—on the couch. Harlem Furniture offers an array of brand-new luxury sofas and armchairs to snuggle up on in the colder months. Among them are the emerald-hued Emily Velvet Sofa (made extra comfy with its two roll-style pillows), the rich leather Anondale Espresso Chair (best enjoyed with a glass of bourbon), and the Arcadia Recliner (perfect for lazy Sunday afternoons in front of a good box set).

Laia Furniture | 2156 3rd Avenue

Hope to be hosting more dinner parties in 2021? Laia has a range of dining furniture, including the Auletta Table with its trestle base and wood grain top and matching linen upholstered Auletta Chairs. You can also treat your rental to an elegant server table like the rustic-styled Marla, with its gray woodgrain finish, or the decorative Leslie in whitewash. Elsewhere, you can furnish your bedroom with a Willamette Night Stand—ideal for accommodating a reading light, steaming hot cocoa, and a stack of books for cozy reading nights. And putting on morning makeup is made all the more modish with an art deco-inspired Carissa II Mirror.

Urban Garden Center | 1640 Park Avenue

Bring the outdoors into your rental residence with the help of this much-loved local garden center. Place miniature aloe vera and assorted ferns in the bathroom, make the living room pop with exotic birds of paradise, and even create a miniature hanging garden with English ivy and hoya above the kitchen countertop. Thanks to The Smile’s floor-to-ceiling windows, there’s plenty of light to keep your plants content.

Interested in Renting at The Smile?

In these demanding times, we’re adhering to Real Estate Board of New York guidelines to keep you and our staff safe. Visit The Smile website to book a virtual tour of the property, guided by the leasing team. If you like what you see, we’ll schedule you for a socially distanced on-site tour (with PPE).

Learn more about renting at the Harlem luxury rentals at The Smile by contacting the leasing team today.

6sqft got its hands on a new set of photos from the recently completed collection of Harlem luxury apartments at The Smile that show off the building’s comprehensive amenities package and the residences’ light-flooded interiors. Designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, this curving building is home to a collection of luxury amenities more often seen south of 110th Street, including a rooftop deck, multiple plunge pools, a spa featuring a color-changing LED Himalayan salt room, and a fully equipped coworking studio perfect for workers during (and after) the current pandemic. The interiors all feature the same striking combination of industrial design and museum-style minimalism with a twist of playful color, creating a unique and homey take on chic luxury.

Photography blog Field Condition got a look inside the recently completed collection of Harlem luxury apartments from Blumenfeld Development Group and architects BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, and the resulting photo spread shows off The Smile’s sleek facade and stylish interior. The curving facade features a checkerboard pattern of windows that flood the minimalist interiors with natural light, while the public spaces like the mailroom and amenities areas have an industrial-chic aesthetic punctuated by pops of color. The residences themselves combine industrial minimalism with modern luxury to create well-lit, stylish homes with state-of-the-art kitchens and luxury baths that include custom vanities and Caesarstone counters.

Harlem is home to some of the most extraordinary small businesses in all of New York City. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to support the people who make this part of NYC the amazing place it is. Here’s just a handful of some of our favorite Harlem businesses.

Serengeti Teas & Spices | 22 East 125th Street
Broaden your hot beverage horizons by stocking up at this wonderful little boutique. The staff at Serengeti Teas & Spices will guide you through the aromas and tasting notes of their loose-leaf oolong, fruit, green, herbal, and rooibos teas. Whether you’re looking for a morning pick-me-up or something to help you wind down in the evenings, you’ll find it here. There’s also a naughty selection of hot chocolates, including an unctuous Moroccan mint hot cocoa.

The Brownstone Woman | 24 East 125th Street
It might be a scaled-back holiday season this year, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress the part. Add razzle-dazzle to proceedings with a mint-colored geometric print knit skirt suit—a showstopper for any virtual soirees you’ll be throwing at your new rental at The Smile. For wintry walks in nearby parks, layer up with an incandescent tribal dress coat and mustard yellow gloves garnished with miniature bows. The Brownstone Woman’s oversized cowl sweater, meanwhile, is perfect for chilly evenings snuggled up in your apartment sipping eggnog and bingeing on festive movies.

Dapper Dan of Harlem
Such is Dapper Dan’s reputation, this tailor—who forged his reputation kitting out celebs in the hip-hop boom of the 1980s—is even referenced in a Jay-Z song. You needn’t be a world-famous rapper to be fitted out at Dan’s boutique, though; make an atelier appointment, and the team will work to create bespoke threads, which no one else in the world—let alone Harlem—has. A real treat to start 2021 in style.

Muse Experiences | 66 Edgecombe Avenue
This modern townhouse boutique contains a world of luxury fragrances from around the globe, for him and for her. There are almond- and jasmine-tinged perfumes from Sicilian brand Via Dei Mille, bold Silver Musk or Black Afgano from Nasomatto, and Tuscan Fig or Cuban Tobacco fragrances from Australian brand Lumira. The Muse Experiences custom sample sets allow you to try three fragrances at a time.

HH Bespoke Spirits | 245 Malcolm X Boulevard
Stoke up your bar cart with the help of this upmarket Harlem drinks brand. Why not buy a bottle each of their vodka, gin, and rum (online from ReserveBar.com or in person at Pompette Wine and Spirits at 420 Lenox Avenue)? Their website has recipes that’ll help you spin their spirits into liquid gold. For something with a local flavor to suit your luxury apartment at The Smile, try a Harlem Walk, made with gin, grapefruit juice, and ginger ale.

Mama’s One Sauce | 100 West 125th Street
A true taste of Harlem, Mama’s One Sauce is inspired by everything from Caribbean to Southern cooking—with a backdrop of gospel, jazz, and R&B music. As such, it’s a staple ingredient to keep in your kitchen at The Smile—to pep up an infinite number of dishes. We’ll let you decide whether you’re going for Mild, Spicy, or Fire.

Learn more about renting at the Harlem luxury rentals at The Smile by contacting the leasing team today.

Off The Mrkt got a peek inside The Smile’s model residence, a one-bedroom home that shows off what this new collection of Harlem apartments for rent has to offer. Designed by renowned architects BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, The Smile is bringing 233 new dwellings to the historic neighborhood, complete with a suite of amenities that rival any Midtown skyscraper for luxury and light-flooded interiors, thanks to the building’s curving facade. The one-bedroom model residence shows off the homes’ industrial chic interiors as well as the floor-to-ceiling windows, which serve as the focal point for living rooms and bedrooms and look out over iconic Manhattan landmarks.

With style and sophistication, Harlem has been beckoning New Yorkers for well over a century. This singular neighborhood, with its eclectic mix of cultures and points of view, is a lively Uptown enclave where world-class restaurants, entertainment, and art abound. And at the heart of it all are the Harlem loft rental residences at The Smile.

Just a block north of Harlem’s bustling 125th Street thoroughfare is this modern luxury building that complements the area’s decidedly stately townhouses and historical buildings. Designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, a Denmark-headquartered architecture firm whose projects grace cities from Copenhagen to Mexico City to Shanghai, The Smile’s curved, geometric exterior reflects the ultramodern styling of the interiors, where convenience meets loft living. 

From the moment you enter the lobby, you’re transported to a bright and colorful oasis that’s equal parts industrial-chic and right-at-home comfort. Add to that the world-class amenities, like a game room, lounge, demonstration kitchen, and rooftop pool. Clean lines, high ceilings, and playful bursts of color surprise and delight, whether you’re in a studio or a two-bedroom apartment. Here’s a look at a residence that showcases the building’s sleek yet welcoming design, and exemplifies The Smile’s philosophy that elegant can also mean comfortable: Apartment 733.

When entering into this corner residence, the first thing you’re bound to notice is the natural light that floods the entire Harlem luxury apartment. The southern and western exposures — not to mention the floor-to-ceiling windows — add sunshine and a sense of openness to this already airy home. 

Hang up your coat in the roomy closet in the entrance foyer, and make your way to a kitchen fit for a chef. Think stainless steel appliances and features, including custom cabinetry from Italy. The spacious kitchen island is the place to do the prep for your favorite recipe — or you can simply use it to unpack and plate takeout. Whether you’re making elaborate dishes for elegant entertaining at home or putting together a quick meal, you’re sure to spend a lot of time in your stylish and fully equipped kitchen at The Smile. 

Make your way through the rest of the Harlem apartment via the flexible living-dining space. Let your inner interior designer run wild in this gallery-like blank canvas, where white resin floors and concrete ceilings create a classic loft vibe, and floor-to-ceiling windows provide views of Harlem and beyond. This is the ultimate spot to work from home or binge-watch your favorite TV show. It’s also ideal for relaxing with a best-seller in the warming climate provided by the central air while waiting for your laundry to finish in the washer-dryer — you’ll find them both in every home at The Smile. 

When you’re ready to take relaxation to the next level, head to the on-site fitness center and Smile Spa. After a vigorous workout, unwind with a session in the steam and sauna rooms. Or, treat yourself to a spa night in the soothing environs of your own bathroom, complete with Kohler fixtures, gleaming white ceramic walls, and a Caesarstone countertop. 

No matter how you choose to relax, once you’re ready to drift off to sleep, a quiet and spacious bedroom awaits at 733. And after a good night’s rest, tomorrow is another day of luxury and convenience at The Smile. Are you interested in seeing 733 or any of our other homes for yourself? Contact the leasing team or fill out a rental application today.

Working from home? Employees across the country are performing daily duties from their residences right now. It’s essential to have a workspace that is sleek, spacious, and — when you really need to concentrate — quiet. The light-filled rental apartments of The Smile in Harlem check every box. Let’s settle in for a day at the “office,” and personalize your home workspace with desks, lighting, and other accoutrements.

On the fourth floor of The Smile resides a purpose-built workspace and lounge*. Set up at one of the tables in this stylish, modern space fitted with artistic lighting fixtures. Ready for a break? Brew up fresh coffee from the pantry, relax on one of the lounge’s sofas, or dig into one of the books on the shelves. You can even do a little ad hoc networking with your fellow residents over a game of socially-distanced pool or foosball. 

Everything at The Smile is designed to make life easier for its residents. The chic lobby — with hints of a contemporary art gallery — is staffed 24/7. A laundry room*, with high-capacity washers and dryers, means you can get that all-important washing done while you work. The Smile also offers a virtual concierge service, courtesy of URBN Playground. Whether your apartment requires a deep clean or you need some new home furniture put together, you can arrange it all with a few clicks on the URBN Playground app.

The apartments at The Smile also make for wonderful office spaces. Floor-to-ceiling windows welcome in the light — a real plus when you’re doing conference calls. The open-aspect kitchens — fitted with Italian stainless steel cabinetry — are ideal for whipping up imaginative lunches. Build your workspace around an elegant Augustus Desk from Rove Concepts, and match it with a Beacon brass table lamp from Article. Add splashes of color with red anthuriums and bonsais from Harlem’s Urban Garden Center. Put the cherry on top with scented candles from Harlem Candle Co., and brushed gold resin monkey bookends and other distinctive office ornaments from local businesses via NiLu. And, voila! You’ve got yourself one of the finest private offices in the neighborhood.

Learn more about the bold and bright residences at The Smile by contacting the leasing team or filling out a rental application today.

* Common Areas Subject to Social-Distancing Guidelines

Globetrotting Danish architect Bjarke Ingels is bringing his signature sleek aesthetic to New York’s Harlem neighborhood with a new residential building designed to brighten up its residents’ lives. Named “The Smile,” this collection of Harlem luxury apartments curves inward to provide each home with direct sunlight, creating a series of bright, airy spaces overlooking the neighborhood’s historic “Main Street” shopping area. Contemporary touches like Italian stainless-steel cabinets in the open kitchens and white monolithic floors combine to give these residences a modern aesthetic, while amenities like The Smile Spa and The Smile Fitness Club provide residents with a luxurious living experience that rivals many resorts.

BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group is literally bringing a smile to New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. BIG’s latest building—dubbed “The Smile” after its gently curving facade, designed to flood each unit with natural light—is bringing a European sensibility to Harlem’s historic “Main Street,” combining industrial influences with contemporary design elements like custom open kitchens to create a unique collection of modern homes. Residents of these Harlem luxury apartments will have access to an amenities package with offerings ranging from a color-changing LED Himalayan salt room to The Smile Rooftop Club, an expansive rooftop deck with a pool, grills, and an outdoor movie theater perfect for late-night film screenings.

Now more than ever, maintaining our well-being is essential. The Smile in Harlem provides its residents with an array of amenities to keep them healthy and happy: from fitness facilities to relaxing lounge and coworking areas*.

Limber up for the day by releasing some endorphins and making use of the yoga room in The Smile’s fitness center*. If the weather’s on your side, head to nearby Marcus Garvey Park for your very own outdoor studio. You can help to support the local scene by signing up for virtual lessons from Harlem Yoga Studio — from morning express workouts to midday restorative sessions, they’ll have you feeling centered for the rest of the day. In need of a higher-octane workout? The Smile’s state-of-the-art fitness center has all the Peloton bikes, weights, and cross-trainers you need. 

In this new era of working from home, The Smile provides you with a stylish and spacious coworking studio*. Settle at your table of choice, surrounded by contemporary bookshelves and sleek lighting, and anytime your well-being demands you take a break, swap your workstation for the pool table or the foosball table. As for lunch, the spacious and lavishly equipped demo kitchen* allows you to be adventurous with your cooking skills.

Nothing sharpens the senses like a bracing dip. The Smile’s Rooftop Pool Club* is an open-air haven surrounded by miniature lawns and stirring views of Manhattan. Follow up your post-work swim with a visit to the hamam, sauna, or Himalayan salt room fitted with color-shifting LEDs. Even the showers here are a sensory revelation: in them, you can immerse yourself in a calming environment of water, light, and sound — and emerge ready to take on the world.

Rooftop swims and game tables aside, The Smile offers a screening room* with comfy lounge seating — ideal for watching your favorite flick or sitcom. Alternatively, you can fire up the rooftop barbecue and spend a relaxing evening in the outdoor movie theater. S’mores and spooky films al fresco make for the perfect end to another great day at The Smile.

Learn more about the perks & amenities at these Harlem luxury rentals at The Smile by contacting the leasing team today.

* Common Areas Subject to Reopening with Socially-Distanced Guidelines

Residents of the The Smile are right in the heart of a culinary wonderland where cultures from around the world have converged to create a restaurant scene that’s vibrant, varied, and very tasty. Some of these institutions have served generations of Harlem residents, and today they are adjusting to the current era of social distancing and health-safety requirements by offering contactless food pickup and delivery.

After all, is there any better way to journey through the neighborhood’s culinary favorites than from the comfort of your Harlem loft rentals at The Smile? Industrial details, including high ceilings, stainless-steel cabinetry, and concrete touches are the perfect setting for an evening in with delicious food. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion around the dining table or binge-watching your favorite show on the couch, here are our picks for some of the best food delivery and pickup you can get, just minutes away from The Smile.

You might be dreaming of trips to the tropics, but when you’re staying local, you can still send your taste buds on a journey by ordering some of the mouthwatering eats from Sisters Caribbean Cuisine. Chef RanDe Rogers helms a kitchen that offers food from around the islands and the Southern US. Indulge in the spicy curries or the oxtail stew or arguably their most popular dish: the jerk chicken, which has been lauded by Marcus Samuelsson.

Since 1996, in various forms, La Fonda has been bringing the flavors of Puerto Rico to East Harlem. From a mom-and-pop restaurant to a club, it’s had many lives in 25 years. La Fonda’s current incarnation is the go-to spot for the ultimate in Puerto Rican cuisine. Whether you get the crispy and sweet fried plantains or the savory slow-roasted pernil, you’ll find yourself ordering again and again.

Ginjan Cafe is a bright spot in the historic Corn Exchange Building, featuring ginger juice that’s based on a 1,000-year-old African recipe, according to the owners (who also sell their Ginjan juices throughout NYC). The cafe also offers healthy Harlem-made treats, freshly pressed juices, and La Colombe coffee to start your day.

Want to be a little closer to all these foodie delights? Set up a virtual tour at The Smile today. If you like what you see, and we’re certain you will, rest assured that we’re taking every precaution to ensure everyone’s safety during in-person tours.

With social distancing guidelines now a part of daily life in New York City, The Smile has created a comfortable viewing experience that is designed to keep prospective residents safe, while highlighting everything these unique Harlem rental apartments have to offer.

The well-being of all residents — both current and future — of The Smile is of the utmost importance. To begin, prospective residents are encouraged to explore The Smile website and then book a virtual appointment. The leasing team will take you on an online tour of these bold and bright apartments from the comfort of your current home — pointing out the floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking Harlem views; exposed concrete details; and the high-quality appliances and finishes. The virtual tour will give you a great initial feel for The Smile, and the team will be happy to answer any questions you might have. If you find yourself asking when you can come to visit, it’s time to take the next step.

All in-person showings at The Smile adhere to guidelines set by the Real Estate Board of New York. You’ll have to fill in registration paperwork and health forms via DocuSign before visiting. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by members of the sales team. Everyone will be practicing social distancing and wearing personal protective equipment (provided for you). Once you’re kitted out, you’ll be given the tour.

Designed by Denmark’s renowned BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group, the building earns its name from the way it gently curves — forming a shape resembling a grin. Popping with color and attitude, these loft-style homes should put a smile on your face, too. Especially when you learn about their high ceilings, oversized closets (rare in NYC), Italian stainless steel cabinetry, and dedicated washer and dryer closets.

With its legendary jazz clubs, renowned soul food joints, eye-catching street art, and a world-famous cultural heritage, the Harlem neighborhood embraces vibrancy. During your in-person appointment, be wowed by the Lounge and Co-Working Studio, where residents come to create; see the Rooftop Swim Club, where you can chill in the plunge pool, backdropped by a Manhattan cityscape; picture yourself cooking up culinary delights in the demo kitchen; and imagine working out in the state-of-the-art fitness center or trying out moves in the dance studio.

There’s a lot to keep you involved, in shape, and entertained in these unique Harlem apartments for rent. If you decide to become a resident, you may have to remind yourself to leave the house every once in a while. Contact The Smile team today to arrange a virtual viewing.

A new collection of luxury Harlem apartments for rent is opening soon, bringing 233 homes to the area’s historic “Main Street” corridor. Designed by BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group, the building takes its name, “The Smile,” from its curving shape and checkerboard facade—design elements calibrated to flood each residence with natural sunlight. Homes in the 11-story building feature a minimalist, industrial chic with modern luxury touches like custom kitchens and oversized closets, and amenities include The Smile Rooftop Club and The Smile Fitness Club, which offer luxurious retreats after work or during days spent working from home. And the nearby Harlem-125th Street station means access to the greater NYC area is just a block away for residents.

In an interview with The Malaysian Reserve, developer David Blumenfeld talked about Blumenfeld Development Group’s new building, The Smile, and how he is planning to fill the 233 Harlem apartments for rent that will come to market this summer. “Unlike typical apartments, these are a bit larger,” said Blumenfeld, a desirable trait in “a post-Covid world.” The building’s striking curved facade, the vision of BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group, brings a new level of architectural style to the classic neighborhood, and residents will engage with the whole building, thanks to a suite of amenities, including a vast rooftop deck with plunge pool and BBQs that will make working from home much more pleasant.

Luxe Exposé rounded up the luxury buildings around NYC that give residents access to the best outdoor amenities, and the rooftop deck atop the new collection of Harlem apartments for rent at The Smile made the list. Designed by renowned BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group, The Smile features 233 spacious homes as well as a suite of amenities spaces decked out in the latest health, wellness, and recreational tech. The Smile Rooftop Swim Club crowns the building, creating a space for residents to swim, barbeque, lounge, and even enjoy an outdoor film screening—all against a stunning panoramic cityscape backdrop.

A new building is opening in Harlem next month, bringing a one-of-a-kind living experience to East 126th Street and Lexington Avenue. Dubbed “The Smile,” this collection of Harlem luxury apartments was designed by BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group, whose vision of a curved building produced a collection of sleek, light-filled rentals ranging in size from studios to two bedrooms and featuring state-of-the-art appliances and fixtures. Residents will have access to a suite of luxury amenities in the building, including a spa with a sauna, steam room, and color-changing LED Himalayan salt room, as well as a spacious rooftop deck with a plunge pool, three whirlpools, and ample space for lounging on a summer day.

The suite of luxury amenities that will be available to residents of The Smile was featured prominently in Lux Exposé, which showed off renderings of the state-of-the-art fitness center and expansive rooftop deck as part of its story on the new building. Opening next month, The Smile is bringing 233 Harlem luxury apartments to East 126th Street and Lexington Avenue in a unique building straight from the mind of BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group. The building took its name from Ingels’s vision of a curving facade, which not only gives the building its distinguishing shape but also bathes the homes in natural light via the angled windows.

With rentals at The Smile, BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group’s newest architectural vision, City Realty highlighted this collection of stunning Harlem luxury apartments. This curvilinear building on East 126th Street near Lexington Avenue will bring a new level of style to this cultural destination, complete with sleek, minimalist interiors, a suite of luxury amenities that rival many resorts, and proximity to a wealth of shopping and eateries. The Smile is located just a block away from the Harlem-125th Street Subway station, putting NYC commute hot spots like Midtown a quick subway ride away.

6sqft ran a feature with new renderings of The Smile, the new collection of Harlem apartments for rent designed by BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group, which opens next month. These sleek, minimalist rentals will be great for those working from home, thanks to slightly larger-than-average interiors as well as a fully equipped coworking studio and an expansive rooftop with plenty of room to sit near the plunge pool and multiple whirlpools. The building itself will brighten up the neighborhood with its checkerboard facade and unique, curving shape, a design dreamed up by Ingels in a meeting that ended up shaping the project’s entire architectural philosophy.

A new collection of sleek apartments designed by world-renowned BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group is opening next month in Harlem, bringing 233 luxury rentals as well as a striking new building to 126th Street. The Danish architect’s design for a curving silhouette and a checkerboard glass-and-steel facade inspired the name of the building, “The Smile,” and the first residents will move in next month. These Harlem apartments for rent range in size from studios to two bedrooms and the interiors are on the large size for Manhattan, with studios at 450 square feet and two bedrooms at approximately 850 square feet. The interiors feature a high-end minimalist chic and are bathed with natural light, thanks to the facade’s angle, which slopes back and directs windows toward the sky.