Statement By Senator Brad Hoylman on The Reported Sale of The Harriman Clubhouse To Angel Investor

Senator Hoylman: “Whoever this angel investor is, I want to thank them on behalf of our community. They are saving a century old community facility from being converted into luxury condos or a high-priced hotel, which sadly has been the real estate narrative for the East Village”

NEW YORK, NY – Senator Brad Hoylman (D/WF-Manhattan) issued the following statement in response to reports that the Harriman Clubhouse on East 10th Street has been sold to an unnamed foundation for $32 million.

Senator Hoylman said: “According to reports, an unnamed foundation is purchasing the historic Harriman Clubhouse, home to the Boys’ Club of New York in the East Village for 118 years. If true, the foundation says they will utilize the property as a community facility. 

Whoever this angel investor is, I want to thank them on behalf of our community. They are saving a century-old community facility from being converted into luxury condos or a high-priced hotel, which sadly has been the real estate narrative for the East Village.

While I wish the Boys’ Club had never put the Harriman Clubhouse on the open market in the first place, I’m grateful to them for finding this angel investor that will allow young people and families in our community to continue to benefit from this splendid facility.

I’m hopeful that the unnamed foundation will work with Community Board 3, elected officials, and other local stakeholders to ensure that community organizations have a place in the new building and that the Boys’ Club, which is reportedly taking space in the building, will decide to stay in this location and continue to provide the essential services it offers to boys and young men.”

On September 29, 2018, Senator Hoylman held a press conference with other elected officials, including Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Council Member Carlina Rivera and Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, to demand that the Boys’ Club delay the announced sale of the Harriman Clubhouse until it had received sufficient community input. Minutes from Boys’ Club board meetings obtained by Senator Hoylman showed that attendance was increasing at the Harriman Clubhouse, directly contradicting the stated rationale for the sale.