A Sip of Nostalgia: The Historic Café from You've Got Mail at 201 West 83rd Street, NYC
Located on the Upper West Side of NYC at 201 West 83rd Street, there is a small, cozy café that has a special place in the hearts of movie lovers and especially New Yorkers.
This cozy spot, previously called Café Lalo, is most famously known as the filming location of the 1998 romantic comedy, ‘You’ve Got Mail,’ which starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
The Building's Architectural Significance
The building at 201 West 83rd Street, which used to house Café Lalo, is one of the later tenement buildings on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
This building was built in 1894 and was designed by Charles Rentz and developed by James J. Loomie.
Rentz was one of the most famous architects of the period, who contributed a lot to the development of the city’s architecture, while Loomie was one of the leading developers of residential buildings for the expanding population of the city.
The building was designed in the style of the late 19th century and has facades with a high level of detail and the functionality of a typical tenement building of that period.
A Scene to Remember
In the movie, this café is where Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) and Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) have their tedious blind date—one of the most memorable scenes in the movie.
The atmosphere, the decor, and the lights made it look like a fairy tale and a dream, just like the movie, and everyone who has seen You’ve Got Mail will never forget it.
This new space is being brought back to life by Irving Yee Architecture and the design team brought together by 10 | Eleven Hospitality, the client for this project. They are creating a new, fresh, and inviting modern café that will pay homage to the building while providing a warm welcome to coffee lovers. One of Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee’s strongest values is sustainability and community; therefore, it will fit right in with the Upper West Side and offer a cozy yet vibrant place for locals and visitors to enjoy their coffee.
A New Destination for Film and Coffee Lovers
People who come to see this famous film location will be walking into the new and cozy space of Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee. Although the nostalgia of You’ve Got Mail is still there, the new café will provide a new and exciting experience with a touch of the classic and some of the best coffee and food in the city. The Upper West Side itself looks a lot like the perfect place for the film—the streets are lined with trees, there are brownstones, there are independent bookshops, and it has a clear-cut love for all things literary and artistic.
A Love Letter to ”Old and New” New York
The site at 201 West 83rd Street is not just a filming location; it is a representation of a New York that is still changing and yet full of history.
Whether you are a fan of You’ve Got Mail, enjoy historical cafes, or just want to try out the new Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee, this corner of the Upper West Side is one that is worth remembering.
So, if you are in the area around September, please take the time to drop by, get a cup of one of the very best coffee, and take in the history and charm of this iconic location.
Jack’s Coffee, NYC