Harlem Flophouse

The Harlem Flophouse is a historic guesthouse in Harlem, New York City, offering a distinctive and affordable alternative to conventional hotels. Originally built as a Victorian single-family home, the property became a lodging house in 1917, serving people arriving in the North during the Great Migration. Owner René Calvo purchased and renovated it in 2000, shaping it into a European-style guesthouse that pairs restored historic character with simplicity and quiet.

The Flophouse provides spacious rooms and keeps prices low by offering barebones service. Guests can make reservations and choose from the property’s rooms, with information available through its frequently asked questions. The guesthouse has also served as a location for fashion and music photoshoots, including work by artists Moby and Sharon Jones.

Its Harlem setting offers access to nearby transportation, Columbia University, the Apollo Theater, cafes, restaurants, parks, museums, galleries, and music venues. The Flophouse also hosts seasonal jazz and blues festivals, bringing local musicians to this historic accommodation