Robert F. Wagner Houses

Senator Robert F. Wagner Houses is a public housing development in East Harlem, New York City, U.S.A. The development was completed in 1956, and was named after Robert F. Wagner, a German immigrant who served four terms as senator of New York State between 1926 and 1949.

Its boundaries are 2nd avenue to the west, F.D.R. Drive to the east, East 120th street to the south and East 124th street to the north. It is divided into two sides, the 1st and the 2nd. The 1st side is between F.D.R. Drive and 1st avenue. The 2nd side is between 1st avenue and 2nd avenue. The two sides have a friendly rivalry between them. Every summer there is a neighborhood basketball tournament that is held in the development in which teams from each side compete against each other at different age levels. The winners get bragging rights. Celebrities from hip hop have been known to have attended these basketball games in the past, most notably DJ Kay Slay, and members of the The Diplomats. The housing development is served under the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). The tenants of the Wagner houses are primarily African American and hispanic (mainly Puerto Rican). Wagner Houses started the trend for the now very popular (in Harlem and parts of The Bronx), Marmot Mountaining gear. The development was the first place where people wore the coats made by this brand as a style.

Some people that live in the development have given it the nick name, the middle east.

The development has been mentioned in some recordings by rappers from The Diplomats.