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| location_country = [[United States]]
| location_country = [[United States]]
| start_date =
| start_date =
| completion_date = 1967<ref name="Assignment of mortgage.">[http://a836-acris.nyc.gov/Scripts/DocSearch.dll/ViewImage?Doc_ID=BK_7620031600910 "Assignment of mortgage."] New York Web Public Inquiry. Retrieved 9/4/10.</ref>
| completion_date = 1967<ref name="Assignment of mortgage.">{{cite web |url=http://a836-acris.nyc.gov/Scripts/DocSearch.dll/ViewImage?Doc_ID=BK_7620031600910 |title=Assignment of mortgage |website=New York City Automated City Register Information System |access-date=September 4, 2010}}</ref>
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| owner =
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| cost =
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| floor_area = {{convert|119,919|ft2|m2}}<ref>[http://nycprop.nyc.gov/nycproperty/statements/flk/jsp/stmtassessflk.jsp?statementId=73624869 "Notice of Property Value".]{{Dead link|date=January 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} NYC Finance. Retrieved 2010-09-04.</ref>
| floor_area = {{convert|119,919|ft2|m2}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1520-Sedgwick-Ave_Bronx_NY_10453_M41890-87386|title=1520 Sedgwick Ave, Bronx, NY 10453|website=realtor.com®}}</ref>
| floor_count = 18
| floor_count = 18
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'''1520 Sedgwick Avenue''' is a 102-unit<ref>(January 10, 2010) [http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/hip-hop-landmark-falls-on-hard-times "Hip-hop landmark falls on hard times"], Retrieved 9/4/10.</ref> [[apartment building]] in the [[Morris Heights, Bronx|Morris Heights]] neighborhood in [[the Bronx]], [[New York City]]. Recognized as a long-time "haven for [[working class]] families," it has been historically accepted as the birthplace of [[Rapping|hip hop]].<ref>Borgya, A. (September 3, 2010) [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/nyregion/05hiphop.html?scp=3&sq=1520%20Sedgwick%20Avenue&st=cse "A Museum Quest Spins On and On"], ''New York Times''. Retrieved 9/4/10.</ref>
'''1520 Sedgwick Avenue''' is a 102-unit<ref name=TRD>{{cite web |date=January 10, 2010 |url=http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/hip-hop-landmark-falls-on-hard-times |title=Hip-hop landmark falls on hard times |website=The Real Deal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007213016/http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/hip-hop-landmark-falls-on-hard-times |archive-date=October 7, 2011 |access-date=September 4, 2010}}</ref> [[apartment building]] in the [[Morris Heights, Bronx|Morris Heights]] neighborhood of [[the Bronx]] in [[New York City]]. Described in ''[[The New York Times]]'' as a long-time "haven for [[working class]] families", it has been historically accepted as the birthplace of [[Hip Hop culture|hip hop]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Borgya |first=Andrew |date=September 3, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/nyregion/05hiphop.html |title= Museum Quest Spins On and On |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 4, 2010}}</ref>


The first mortgages for units at 1520 Sedgwick were made in 1967. After a long period of neglect and shady dealings in the 1990s and 2000s the building has been "highlighted by elected officials and tenant advocates as an emblem of New York’s affordable housing crisis." Senator [[Chuck Schumer]] called the building "the birthplace of [[Predatory lending|predatory equity]]", and Representative [[José E. Serrano]], called it "such a visible building."<ref>Dolnick, S. (September 6, 2010) [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/nyregion/07sedgwick.html?scp=1&sq=1520%20Sedgwick%20Avenue&st=cse "Hope for a Bronx Tower of Hip-Hop Lore"], ''New York Times.'' Retrieved 9/6/10.</ref>
The first mortgages for units at 1520 Sedgwick were made in 1967. Following a long period of neglect and shady dealings in the 1990s and 2000s, observers described the building as a symbol of the city's affordable housing crisis.<ref name=TRD/>


== History ==
== History ==
The creation of the [[Cross Bronx Expressway]] uprooted thousands in the Bronx during the early 1970s, displacing communities, and fostering [[white flight]].<ref>Shapiro, Peter. Rough Guide to Hip-Hop, 2nd. ed., London: Rough Guides, 2005 {{ISBN|978-1-84353-263-7}}. p. iv</ref> 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, which received its first mortgage in 1967,<ref name="Assignment of mortgage."/> is located on the Expressway.
The creation of the [[Cross Bronx Expressway]] uprooted thousands in the Bronx during the early 1970s, displacing communities, and fostering [[white flight]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Shapiro, Peter |title=Rough Guide to Hip-Hop |edition=2nd |location=London |publisher=Rough Guides |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-84353-263-7 |page=iv}}</ref> 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, which received its first mortgage in 1967,<ref name="Assignment of mortgage."/> is located on the Expressway.


=== Hip hop birthplace ===
=== Hip hop birthplace ===


1520 Sedgwick Avenue has been called "the birthplace of Hip Hop." As Hip Hop grew throughout the Bronx, 1520 was a starting point where Clive Campbell, later known as [[DJ Kool Herc]], presided over parties in the community room at a pivotal point in the genre's history.<ref>David Gonzalez, [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/21/nyregion/21citywide.html "Will Gentrification Spoil the Birthplace of Hip-Hop?"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', May 21, 2007, retrieved on July 1, 2008</ref><ref>Jennifer Lee, [http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/tenants-might-buy-the-birthplace-of-hip-hop "Tenants Might Buy the Birthplace of Hip-Hop"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', January 15, 2008, retrieved on July 1, 2008</ref>
1520 Sedgwick Avenue has been called "the birthplace of hip hop." As hip hop grew throughout the Bronx, 1520 was a starting point where Clive Campbell, later known as [[DJ Kool Herc]], presided over parties in the community room at a pivotal point in the genre's history.<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Gonzalez |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/21/nyregion/21citywide.html |title=Will Gentrification Spoil the Birthplace of Hip-Hop? |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 21, 2007 |access-date=July 1, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jennifer 8. |last=Lee |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/tenants-might-buy-the-birthplace-of-hip-hop |title=Tenants Might Buy the Birthplace of Hip-Hop |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 15, 2008 |access-date=July 1, 2008}}</ref>


DJ Kool Herc is credited with helping to start hip hop and rap music at a [[house concert]] at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue on August 11, 1973.<ref>[[Jeff Chang (journalist)|Chang, Jeff]]. [[Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation]]. St. Martin's Press, New York: 2005. {{ISBN|978-0-312-42579-1}}. pp. 68–72</ref> At the concert he was a [[DJ]] and [[MC]] in the [[:recreation room]] of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue.<ref name="PBS">Tukufu Zuberi ("detective"), ''BIRTHPLACE OF HIP HOP'', [[History Detectives]], Season 6, Episode 11, New York City, found at [https://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigations/611_hiphop.html PBS official website]. Accessed February 24, 2009.</ref> Sources have noted that while 1520 Sedgwick Avenue was not the actual birthplace of Hip Hop – the genre developed slowly in several places in the 1970s – it was verified to be the place where ''one of'' the pivotal and formative events occurred that spurred Hip Hop culture forward.<ref>Tukufu Zuberi ("detective"), ''[https://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigations/611_hiphop.html Birthplace of Hip Hop]'', [[History Detectives]], Season 6, Episode 11, New York City. [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]]. Retrieved 9/3/10.</ref> During a rally to save the building, DJ Kool Herc said, "1520 Sedgwick is the [[Bethlehem]] of Hip-Hop culture."<ref>(July 18, 2007) [http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2007/07/18/18277644.aspx "1520 Sedgwick Avenue to be Recognized as Official Birthplace of Hip-Hop"], Retrieved 9/3/10.</ref>
DJ Kool Herc is credited with helping to start hip hop and rap music at a [[house concert]] at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue on August 11, 1973.<ref>{{cite book |author-link=Jeff Chang (journalist) |author=Chang, Jeff |title=Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation |title-link=Can't Stop Won't Stop (book) |publisher=St. Martin's Press |location=New York |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-312-42579-1 |pages=68–72}}</ref> At the concert he was a [[DJ]] and [[MC]] in the [[recreation room]] of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue.<ref name="PBS">{{Cite episode |title=Birthplace of Hip Hop |url=https://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigations/611_hiphop.html |access-date=February 24, 2009 |series=History Detectives |series-link=History Detectives |network=PBS |season=6 |number=11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226194116/https://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigations/611_hiphop.html |archive-date=February 26, 2009}}</ref> Sources have noted that while 1520 Sedgwick Avenue was not the actual birthplace of hip hop – the genre developed slowly in several places in the 1970s – it was verified to be the place where ''one of'' the pivotal and formative events occurred that spurred hip hop culture forward.<ref name="PBS"/> During a rally to save the building, DJ Kool Herc said, "1520 Sedgwick is the [[Bethlehem]] of hip-hop culture."<ref>{{cite web |date=July 18, 2007 |url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2007/07/18/18277644.aspx |title=1520 Sedgwick Avenue to be Recognized as Official Birthplace of Hip-Hop |website=AllHipHop.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208201859/http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2007/07/18/18277644.aspx |archive-date=February 8, 2009 |access-date=September 3, 2010}}</ref>


On August 11, 1973, Clive Campbell aka DJ Kool Herc spun the turntables at a back-to-school birthday party for his sister Cindy Campbell<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/13/dj-kool-herc-block-party|title=DJ Kool Herc DJs his first block party (his sister's birthday) at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, Bronx, New York|last=Batey|first=Angus|date=2011-06-12|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2016-12-06}}</ref> held in the recreation center at 1520 Sedgwick. He was assisted by [[Theodore Puccio]] who has been credited as the first MC<ref name="BAF">{{Cite web |title=BLACK HISTORY MONTH – DAY TWENTY SEVEN (DJ KOOL HERC, THE FATHER OF HIP HOP) |url=http://www.blackawarenessfoundation.com/?p=3885 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812081625/http://www.blackawarenessfoundation.com/?p=3885 |access-date=2021-05-17 |website=Black Awareness Foundation |publisher=Black Awareness Foundation |ref=BAF |archive-date=12 August 2017}}</ref> but many insiders attribute that honor to [[Coke La Rock]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oldschoolhiphop.com/interviews/cokelarock.htm|title=Old School Hip Hop Interviews - Coke La Rock {{!}} OldSchoolHipHop.Com|website=www.oldschoolhiphop.com|access-date=2016-12-06}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=djvlad|title=Grandmaster Caz on Coke La Rock Being Hip-Hop's First MC|date=2015-05-31|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhE2tGJ-YiI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/AhE2tGJ-YiI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|accessdate=2016-12-06}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After spending months perfecting a new technique involving "playing the frantic grooves at the beginning or in the middle of the song" with two turntables, a mixer, and two copies of the same record, Campbell unveiled the technique at his sister's party. After renting the recreation room for 25 dollars, Cindy charged 25 cents for females and 50 cents for males to attend. "I wrote out the invites on index cards, so all Herc had to do was show up. With the party set from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., our mom served snacks and dad picked up the sodas and beer from a local beverage warehouse." With the exhibition of his new style, Campbell's friend [[Coke La Rock]] demonstrated another innovation called [[rapping]]. Attendees, or people who later falsely claimed to be there, include [[Grandmaster Caz]], leader of [[The Cold Crush Brothers]], [[Grandmaster Flash]], [[Busy Bee Starski|Busy Bee]], [[Afrika Bambaataa]], [[Sheri Sher]], Mean Gene, [[Kool DJ Red Alert]], and [[KRS-One]].<ref>Gonzales, M. (September 28, 2008) [http://nymag.com/anniversary/40th/50665/ "The Holy House of Hip Hop."] ''[[New York (magazine)]]''. Retrieved 9/4/10.</ref>
On August 11, 1973, Clive Campbell aka DJ Kool Herc spun the turntables at a back-to-school birthday party for his sister Cindy Campbell<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/13/dj-kool-herc-block-party|title=DJ Kool Herc DJs his first block party (his sister's birthday) at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, Bronx, New York|last=Batey|first=Angus|date=2011-06-12|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2016-12-06}}</ref> held in the recreation center at 1520 Sedgwick. He was assisted by Theodore Puccio who has been credited as the first MC<ref name="BAF">{{Cite web |title=Black History Month – Day Twenty Seven (Dj Kool Herc, the Father of Hip Hop) |url=http://www.blackawarenessfoundation.com/?p=3885 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812081625/http://www.blackawarenessfoundation.com/?p=3885 |access-date=2021-05-17 |website=Black Awareness Foundation |ref=BAF |archive-date=12 August 2017}}</ref> but many insiders attribute that honor to [[Coke La Rock]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 18, 2010|url=http://www.oldschoolhiphop.com/interviews/cokelarock.htm|title=An Interview With Coke La Rock|website=Old School Hip Hop Interviews|access-date=2016-12-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=djvlad|title=Grandmaster Caz on Coke La Rock Being Hip-Hop's First MC|date=2015-05-31|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhE2tGJ-YiI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/AhE2tGJ-YiI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|accessdate=2016-12-06}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After spending months perfecting a new technique involving "playing the frantic grooves at the beginning or in the middle of the song" with two turntables, a mixer, and two copies of the same record, Campbell unveiled the technique at his sister's party. After renting the recreation room for 25 dollars, Cindy charged 25 cents for females and 50 cents for males to attend. "I wrote out the invites on index cards, so all Herc had to do was show up. With the party set from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., our mom served snacks and dad picked up the sodas and beer from a local beverage warehouse." With the exhibition of his new style, Campbell's friend [[Coke La Rock]] demonstrated another innovation called [[rapping]]. Attendees, or people who later falsely claimed to be there, include [[Grandmaster Caz]], leader of [[the Cold Crush Brothers]], [[Grandmaster Flash]], [[Busy Bee Starski|Busy Bee]], [[Afrika Bambaataa]], Sheri Sher, Mean Gene, [[Kool DJ Red Alert]], and [[KRS-One]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gonzales |first=Michael A. |date=September 28, 2008 |url=http://nymag.com/anniversary/40th/50665/ |title=The Holy House of Hip Hop |magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |access-date=September 4, 2010}}</ref>


=== Ownership and maintenance ===
=== Ownership and maintenance ===
Starting in the early 2000s, building owners threatened to turn 1520 into high rent units. Senator Schumer led a rally in 2007 focused on maintaining the affordable costs of the housing in order to maintain its working-class roots.<ref>Wellborn, M. (July 23, 2007) [http://www.observer.com/2007/birthplace-hip-hop-danger-losing-affordable-housing-label "Schumer to Lead Rally to Keep Birthplace of Hip Hop Affordable"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616093046/http://www.observer.com/2007/birthplace-hip-hop-danger-losing-affordable-housing-label |date=2011-06-16 }}, "The Observer." Retrieved 9/4/10.</ref> The [[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]] recognized the building as the "birthplace of hip hop" on July 5, 2007.<ref name="cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com">(July 23, 2007) [http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/23/an-effort-to-honor-the-birthplace-of-hip-hop/ "An Effort to Honor the Birthplace of Hip-Hop"], ''New York Times.'' Retrieved 9/3/10.</ref><ref name="xxlmag.com">(July 23, 2007) [http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=12307 "1520 Sedgwick Avenue Honored as a Hip-Hop Landmark Today"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424025306/http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=12307|date=April 24, 2010}}, ''XXL Magazine''. Retrieved 9/3/10.</ref>
Starting in the early 2000s, building owners threatened to turn 1520 into high rent units. Senator Schumer led a rally in 2007 focused on maintaining the affordable costs of the housing in order to maintain its working-class roots.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wellborn |first=Mark |date=July 23, 2007 |url=http://www.observer.com/2007/birthplace-hip-hop-danger-losing-affordable-housing-label |title=Schumer to Lead Rally to Keep Birthplace of Hip Hop Affordable |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616093046/http://www.observer.com/2007/birthplace-hip-hop-danger-losing-affordable-housing-label |archive-date=2011-06-16 |work=The Observer |access-date=September 4, 2010}}</ref> The [[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]] recognized the building as the "birthplace of hip hop" on July 5, 2007.<ref name="cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com">{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Jennifer 8. |date=July 23, 2007 |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/23/an-effort-to-honor-the-birthplace-of-hip-hop/ |title=An Effort to Honor the Birthplace of Hip-Hop |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="xxlmag.com">{{cite web |date=July 23, 2007 |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=12307 |title=1520 Sedgwick Avenue Honored as a Hip-Hop Landmark Today |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424025306/http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=12307 |archive-date=April 24, 2010 |website=XXL Magazine |access-date=September 3, 2010}}</ref>


Starting in 2007 the building's owners sought to repeal the status afforded to the building by the [[Mitchell-Lama Housing Program]], which allowed it to maintain [[rent control]] for low-income and working class residents. Despite work by groups such as the [[Urban Homesteading Assistance Board]] and the Tenants and Neighbors Association to preserve the building's Mitchell-Lama status,<ref name="cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com"/> the courts allowed the building's status to be repealed.<ref>Lee, J. (September 26, 2008) [http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/judge-rules-sale-of-bronx-hip-hop-building-can-proceed/ "Court Rules Sale of Bronx ‘Hip-Hop’ Building Can Proceed"], ''New York Times''. Retrieved 9/4/10.</ref> In 2008 the building was sold to a real estate group that included [[Mark Karasick]], a prominent real estate investor, which intended to turn the building into market-rate housing. However, after the [[United States housing bubble]] burst, a period of neglect and threats of forced evictions daunted residents,<ref name="Dolnick, S">Dolnick, S.</ref> and despite promises to the opposite, the building fell into decline.<ref>[http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/01/19/nyregion/1247466533739/a-building-in-decline.html?ref=foreclosures "A Building in Decline"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322224217/http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/01/19/nyregion/1247466533739/a-building-in-decline.html?ref=foreclosures |date=March 22, 2012 }}, ''New York Times.'' Retrieved 9/4/10.</ref> In 2010 [[Government of New York City|the city's]] [[Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC)|Housing Development Corporation]] provided a $5.6 million loan to allow Winn Development and a new group called Workforce Housing Advisors to buy the building's mortgage from [[Sovereign Bank]] for $6.2 million. Rafael E. Cestero, the commissioner of the [[New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development]], said they supported the sale in order to help provide sustainable housing for working-class families.<ref name="Dolnick, S" />
Starting in 2007 the building's owners sought to repeal the status afforded to the building by the [[Mitchell-Lama Housing Program]], which allowed it to maintain [[rent control]] for low-income and working class residents. Despite work by groups such as the [[Urban Homesteading Assistance Board]] and the Tenants and Neighbors Association to preserve the building's Mitchell-Lama status,<ref name="cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com"/> the courts allowed the building's status to be repealed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Jennifer 8. |date=September 26, 2008 |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/judge-rules-sale-of-bronx-hip-hop-building-can-proceed/ |title=Court Rules Sale of Bronx 'Hip-Hop' Building Can Proceed |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 4, 2010}}</ref> In 2008 the building was sold to a real estate group that included Mark Karasick, a prominent real estate investor, which intended to turn the building into market-rate housing. However, after the [[United States housing bubble]] burst, a period of neglect and threats of forced evictions daunted residents,<ref name="Dolnick, S">Dolnick, S.</ref> and despite promises to the opposite, the building fell into decline.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/01/19/nyregion/1247466533739/a-building-in-decline.html?ref=foreclosures |title=A Building in Decline |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322224217/http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/01/19/nyregion/1247466533739/a-building-in-decline.html?ref=foreclosures |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |website=The New York Times. |access-date=September 4, 2010}}</ref> In 2010 [[Government of New York City|the city's]] [[Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC)|Housing Development Corporation]] provided a $5.6 million loan to allow Winn Development and a new group called Workforce Housing Advisors to buy the building's mortgage from [[Sovereign Bank]] for $6.2 million. Rafael E. Cestero, the commissioner of the [[New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development]], said they supported the sale in order to help provide sustainable housing for working-class families.<ref name="Dolnick, S" />


On November 7, 2011, following a foreclosure auction with no active bidders, Workforce Housing Advisors were able to take title of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. Several residents, who were present at the auction along with tenant advocacy group Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, wept with joy when the auctioneer announced no bids had been registered. John Crotty of Workforce Housing Advisors told the New York Times that his group intends to renovate the distressed building and work with tenants to recognize its importance. The group's investors are more interested in steady, secure returns than in making money quickly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/for-birthplace-of-hip-hop-new-life/|title = For Birthplace of Hip-Hop, New Life|date = November 7, 2011}}</ref> Some money for renovations will be provided by New York City's department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the Housing Development Corporation. The new owner intends to pursue a listing for on the National Register of Historic Places, for which the building was deemed eligible in 2007 but Karasick declined to accept.{{cn|date=August 2020}}
On November 7, 2011, following a foreclosure auction with no active bidders, Workforce Housing Advisors were able to take title of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. Several residents, who were present at the auction along with tenant advocacy group Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, wept with joy when the auctioneer announced no bids had been registered. John Crotty of Workforce Housing Advisors told the New York Times that his group intends to renovate the distressed building and work with tenants to recognize its importance. The group's investors are more interested in steady, secure returns than in making money quickly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/for-birthplace-of-hip-hop-new-life/|title = For Birthplace of Hip-Hop, New Life|date = November 7, 2011|author=Speri, Alice.|website=The New York Times}}</ref> Some money for renovations will be provided by New York City's department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the Housing Development Corporation.

The new ownership of 1520 Sedgwick is seen by public officials and housing advocates as a huge victory in the struggle to preserve affordable housing in New York City. It is a big step forward in the fight to rescue low income housing from the disastrous impact overleveraging has had on this vulnerable resource. The rescue of 1520 Sedgwick was largely made possible through a sustained organizing campaign within the tenant body. Residents of this iconic building fought for over 5 years to maintain the affordability of their home and rescue it from speculative landlords.{{cn|date=August 2020}}

== Notable residents ==
Notable residents include [[DJ Kool Herc]].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}


== See also ==
== See also ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* [https://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2010/09/07/nyregion/07sedgwick_inline.html?scp=5&sq=1520%20Sedgwick%20Avenue&st=cse Modern image of the building]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2010/09/07/nyregion/07sedgwick_inline.html?scp=5&sq=1520%20Sedgwick%20Avenue&st=cse Modern image of the building]
* [http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/09/07/cradle-of-hip-hop-saved-from-nycs-gentrification-wave/ "Cradle of Hip-Hop Saved from NYC's Gentrification Wave"]
* [https://newsfeed.time.com/2010/09/07/cradle-of-hip-hop-saved-from-nycs-gentrification-wave/ "Cradle of Hip-Hop Saved from NYC's Gentrification Wave"]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110205134603/http://www.cincystreetdesign.com/1520_Sedgwick/index.html Facsimile of the original note from the 1973 house party] at 1520 Sedgwick.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110205134603/http://www.cincystreetdesign.com/1520_Sedgwick/index.html Facsimile of the original note from the 1973 house party] at 1520 Sedgwick.
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{{coord|40|50|50|N|73|55|28|W|display=title}}
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[[Category:Apartment buildings in New York City]]
[[Category:Apartment buildings in New York City]]
[[Category:Residential buildings completed in 1967]]
[[Category:Residential buildings completed in 1967]]
[[Category:History of hip hop]]
[[Category:History of hip-hop]]
[[Category:Residential buildings in the Bronx]]
[[Category:Residential buildings in the Bronx]]

Latest revision as of 18:29, 13 December 2024

1520 Sedgwick Avenue
Front of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue
Front of the building.
Map
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeResidential
LocationThe Bronx, New York City, New York
CountryUnited States
Completed1967[1]
Technical details
Floor count18
Floor area119,919 square feet (11,140.8 m2)[2]

1520 Sedgwick Avenue is a 102-unit[3] apartment building in the Morris Heights neighborhood of the Bronx in New York City. Described in The New York Times as a long-time "haven for working class families", it has been historically accepted as the birthplace of hip hop.[4]

The first mortgages for units at 1520 Sedgwick were made in 1967. Following a long period of neglect and shady dealings in the 1990s and 2000s, observers described the building as a symbol of the city's affordable housing crisis.[3]

History

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The creation of the Cross Bronx Expressway uprooted thousands in the Bronx during the early 1970s, displacing communities, and fostering white flight.[5] 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, which received its first mortgage in 1967,[1] is located on the Expressway.

Hip hop birthplace

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1520 Sedgwick Avenue has been called "the birthplace of hip hop." As hip hop grew throughout the Bronx, 1520 was a starting point where Clive Campbell, later known as DJ Kool Herc, presided over parties in the community room at a pivotal point in the genre's history.[6][7]

DJ Kool Herc is credited with helping to start hip hop and rap music at a house concert at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue on August 11, 1973.[8] At the concert he was a DJ and MC in the recreation room of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue.[9] Sources have noted that while 1520 Sedgwick Avenue was not the actual birthplace of hip hop – the genre developed slowly in several places in the 1970s – it was verified to be the place where one of the pivotal and formative events occurred that spurred hip hop culture forward.[9] During a rally to save the building, DJ Kool Herc said, "1520 Sedgwick is the Bethlehem of hip-hop culture."[10]

On August 11, 1973, Clive Campbell aka DJ Kool Herc spun the turntables at a back-to-school birthday party for his sister Cindy Campbell[11] held in the recreation center at 1520 Sedgwick. He was assisted by Theodore Puccio who has been credited as the first MC[12] but many insiders attribute that honor to Coke La Rock.[13][14] After spending months perfecting a new technique involving "playing the frantic grooves at the beginning or in the middle of the song" with two turntables, a mixer, and two copies of the same record, Campbell unveiled the technique at his sister's party. After renting the recreation room for 25 dollars, Cindy charged 25 cents for females and 50 cents for males to attend. "I wrote out the invites on index cards, so all Herc had to do was show up. With the party set from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., our mom served snacks and dad picked up the sodas and beer from a local beverage warehouse." With the exhibition of his new style, Campbell's friend Coke La Rock demonstrated another innovation called rapping. Attendees, or people who later falsely claimed to be there, include Grandmaster Caz, leader of the Cold Crush Brothers, Grandmaster Flash, Busy Bee, Afrika Bambaataa, Sheri Sher, Mean Gene, Kool DJ Red Alert, and KRS-One.[15]

Ownership and maintenance

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Starting in the early 2000s, building owners threatened to turn 1520 into high rent units. Senator Schumer led a rally in 2007 focused on maintaining the affordable costs of the housing in order to maintain its working-class roots.[16] The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation recognized the building as the "birthplace of hip hop" on July 5, 2007.[17][18]

Starting in 2007 the building's owners sought to repeal the status afforded to the building by the Mitchell-Lama Housing Program, which allowed it to maintain rent control for low-income and working class residents. Despite work by groups such as the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board and the Tenants and Neighbors Association to preserve the building's Mitchell-Lama status,[17] the courts allowed the building's status to be repealed.[19] In 2008 the building was sold to a real estate group that included Mark Karasick, a prominent real estate investor, which intended to turn the building into market-rate housing. However, after the United States housing bubble burst, a period of neglect and threats of forced evictions daunted residents,[20] and despite promises to the opposite, the building fell into decline.[21] In 2010 the city's Housing Development Corporation provided a $5.6 million loan to allow Winn Development and a new group called Workforce Housing Advisors to buy the building's mortgage from Sovereign Bank for $6.2 million. Rafael E. Cestero, the commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, said they supported the sale in order to help provide sustainable housing for working-class families.[20]

On November 7, 2011, following a foreclosure auction with no active bidders, Workforce Housing Advisors were able to take title of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. Several residents, who were present at the auction along with tenant advocacy group Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, wept with joy when the auctioneer announced no bids had been registered. John Crotty of Workforce Housing Advisors told the New York Times that his group intends to renovate the distressed building and work with tenants to recognize its importance. The group's investors are more interested in steady, secure returns than in making money quickly.[22] Some money for renovations will be provided by New York City's department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the Housing Development Corporation.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Assignment of mortgage". New York City Automated City Register Information System. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  2. ^ "1520 Sedgwick Ave, Bronx, NY 10453". realtor.com®.
  3. ^ a b "Hip-hop landmark falls on hard times". The Real Deal. January 10, 2010. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  4. ^ Borgya, Andrew (September 3, 2010). "Museum Quest Spins On and On". The New York Times. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  5. ^ Shapiro, Peter (2005). Rough Guide to Hip-Hop (2nd ed.). London: Rough Guides. p. iv. ISBN 978-1-84353-263-7.
  6. ^ Gonzalez, David (May 21, 2007). "Will Gentrification Spoil the Birthplace of Hip-Hop?". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  7. ^ Lee, Jennifer 8. (January 15, 2008). "Tenants Might Buy the Birthplace of Hip-Hop". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Chang, Jeff (2005). Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 68–72. ISBN 978-0-312-42579-1.
  9. ^ a b "Birthplace of Hip Hop". History Detectives. Season 6. Episode 11. PBS. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  10. ^ "1520 Sedgwick Avenue to be Recognized as Official Birthplace of Hip-Hop". AllHipHop.com. July 18, 2007. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
  11. ^ Batey, Angus (June 12, 2011). "DJ Kool Herc DJs his first block party (his sister's birthday) at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, Bronx, New York". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  12. ^ "Black History Month – Day Twenty Seven (Dj Kool Herc, the Father of Hip Hop)". Black Awareness Foundation. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "An Interview With Coke La Rock". Old School Hip Hop Interviews. November 18, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  14. ^ djvlad (May 31, 2015). "Grandmaster Caz on Coke La Rock Being Hip-Hop's First MC". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  15. ^ Gonzales, Michael A. (September 28, 2008). "The Holy House of Hip Hop". New York. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  16. ^ Wellborn, Mark (July 23, 2007). "Schumer to Lead Rally to Keep Birthplace of Hip Hop Affordable". The Observer. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  17. ^ a b Lee, Jennifer 8. (July 23, 2007). "An Effort to Honor the Birthplace of Hip-Hop". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "1520 Sedgwick Avenue Honored as a Hip-Hop Landmark Today". XXL Magazine. July 23, 2007. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
  19. ^ Lee, Jennifer 8. (September 26, 2008). "Court Rules Sale of Bronx 'Hip-Hop' Building Can Proceed". The New York Times. Retrieved September 4, 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ a b Dolnick, S.
  21. ^ "A Building in Decline". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  22. ^ Speri, Alice. (November 7, 2011). "For Birthplace of Hip-Hop, New Life". The New York Times.
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40°50′50″N 73°55′28″W / 40.84722°N 73.92444°W / 40.84722; -73.92444

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