Harlem on the horizon.

For years we have heard that Harlem USA and the subsequent revitalization of Harlem was right around the corner. But now, with celebrities like Harrison Ford dropping by little known clubs to listen to jazz, and with New Yorkers of all backgrounds competing for the neighborhood's historic townhouses, it becomes clear that the transformation of Harlem is upon us.

Harlem has become an attraction for international tourists; restaurants and jazz clubs are packed; and retail services are beginning to increase. This past summer, Charles H. Greenthal & Co. opened a residential sales office at 125th Street to accommodate the extraordinary interest in Harlem, which may well be the hot residential neighborhood of the next 10 years.

The unbelievably tight Manhattan residential market, the increase in safety and quality of life throughout the City, and the historic architecture in Harlem have combined to make this neighborhood a very attractive alternative. Not surprisingly, prices for Harlem townhouses are increasing, especially in the area's historic pockets.

Astor Row, located on the south side of 130th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, features 28 brick homes with distinct Savannah-style porches and gardens in both the front and rear. Each home is 25 feet wide and approximately 55 feet deep on a 100-foot lot, with three stories and a basement.

In 1992, the homes that form Astor Row were placed on New York City's list of historical landmarks in an effort to save the structures from deterioration. At the same time, New York City launched a publicly funded revitalization program for the homes' intricately constructed porches. More than half of the homes, which were built on land owned by William Astor in the late 1800's, have been sold and renovated. A shell on Astor Row recently sold for $220,000, and renovated homes on this street are selling for $450,000.

Hamilton Heights, a historic district located to the north of City College and east of Amsterdam Avenue between 135th and 139th streets, includes row houses and churches built between 1886 and 1906. The area, once part of Alexander Hamilton's estate, boasts a variety of architectural styles, from Northern Renaissance and Beaux-Arts to Queen Anne-style. For approximately $650,000, the cost of an ordinary three-bedroom apartment in established Manhattan neighborhoods, a family can own a historic six-story townhouse in Hamilton Heights. Step below 96th Street and the same home would cost $5 million or more.

Directly to the east of Columbia University and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine is Morningside Park. Running along the park south of 125th Street is a collection of beautiful brownstone townhouses in varying conditions. These homes, which are selling quickly; run from $300,000 for a shell to more than $450,000 for those in pristine condition.

Among the many features of Harlem are space, architectural detail and easy access by mass transit. Harlem is also a powerful brand that will lend to the value of real estate in the future. The neighborhood becomes particularly attractive when you consider that the strength of the Manhattan residential market will very likely continue throughout 2000 and beyond.