Lenox Avenue

Lenox Avenue / Malcolm X Boulevard is the primary north-south route through Harlem in the upper portion of the New York City borough of Manhattan. This two-way street runs from Farmers' Gate at Central Park North (110th Street) to 147th Street. It is also considered the heartbeat of Harlem by Langston Hughes in his poem Juke Box Love Song. The IRT Lenox Avenue Line runs under the entire length of the street.

Originally a part of Sixth Avenue, it was renamed in late 1887 for philanthropist James Lenox. In 1987, it was co-named Malcolm X Boulevard (both names are officially recognized), in honor of the slain civil rights leader.

The Savoy Ballroom was located between 140th and 141st Streets on Lenox Avenue. Other historical venues of Lenox Avenue are Sylvia's Restaurant, located between 126th and 127th, and the Lenox Lounge, located between 124th and 125th.

"Lenox Avenue: Midnight," a well-known poem by Langston Hughes, is set on Lenox Avenue.

In 'The Fire Next Time', two essays written by civil rights leader James Baldwin, (previously published in The New Yorker), Lenox Avenue is simply referred to as 'The Avenue'. It is thus represented as symbol of the darkness of Harlem.

Featured in the first verse of the original (Irving Berlin's) lyrics of Puttin' on the Ritz, albeit in an off-putting and mocking fashion, referencing the then-popular fad of flashily-dressed but poor black Harlemites parading up and down Lenox Avenue, "Spending ev'ry dime / For a wonderful time".

• Lenox Avenue / Malcolm X Boulevard street sign

• View from the northwest corner of 124th Street looking Southward.

• View from the northeast corner of 124th Street looking Southward.

• Lenox Avenue and 138th Street