The two-story Renaissance Theater and Casino was erected at 2341 Seventh Ave. (now Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.), between 137th and 138th Sts., in the first half of the 1920s, and at least one source dates the marquee to that time. Records are spotty, and I haven't put a name to the restaurant; apart from the number "2341," all that's readable are the words "chow mein," facing both north and south, and (faintly, below) "chop suey," facing the boulevard.
The complex has been shuttered for many years, though on a recent summery afternoon, a watermelon stand kept it company toward the middle of the block. The structure was purchased in 1991 by the nonprofit Abyssinian Development Corp.; in February 2008 the corporation applied to the city for a mixed-use redevelopment of the complex.
Update: On a return visit in October 2010, the marquee was absent (the watermelon stand, too), and additional signs suggesting construction or development were in place.
Former Chinese restaurant
2341 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. (137th-138th Sts.)
Yeah, the building is scheduled to be torn down. The church blocked it from being a landmark because it would placed too many restrictions on their use of it. The facade is supposed to stand but the building is in such disrepair I doubt that will happen. Even if it does, it doesn't mean much. We've all seen what that means from other similar projects.
Posted by: D. Bell | August 12, 2008 at 11:07 PM