On December 8th, AYON Studio joined staff members, colleagues, and members of the public at an open house hosted by Amsterdam News at its historic Harlem headquarters to celebrate its 116th Anniversary. The event welcomed subscribers and neighbors into the building, drawing an estimated 200 attendees, many of whom shared publicly why the newspaper was important to them.
For our part, AYON Studio participated in conversations about the future of the Amsterdam News building and its role as a civic and cultural anchor in Harlem. While the main reception took place on the ground floor, we were stationed in the former editorial room on the fourth floor, where we met with attendees to discuss the building’s history, architectural significance, and unrealized potential.
The event provided an opportunity to share “Reimagining This Harlem Treasure,” an initiative we are leading with our colleague Jerome Haferd. The work centers on a comprehensive Preservation Plan prepared by AYON Studio that brings together building conservation, adaptive reuse, and long-term viability planning. Discussions focused on the fourth-floor editorial space, its role in shaping Black journalism in New York, and opportunities for its future use.
For AYON Studio, this work reflects a core belief that preservation is not about freezing buildings in time, but about extending their usefulness, relevance, and value. We are grateful to Amsterdam News for opening its doors and engaging the public in an important conversation about the future of this Harlem landmark.