Renaissance Plaza, an 11-story Harlem co-op originally scheduled for July occupancy, will quietly open its doors over the next few weeks, letting a handful of tenants move in prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony set for October 31.

According to Robert Barletta, spokesman for Queens-based developer Levine Builders, project heads are awaiting final city approvals before embarking on a soft opening of the $60-million apartment building. Mayor Rudy Giuliani is expected to attend the official opening ceremonies October 31, Barletta tells GlobeSt.com.

Residents were selected by lottery at the 241-unit public/private venture, with half the building's one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments going to Harlem residents. Roughly 3,500 would-be occupants are said to have applied at the uniquely financed co-op, in which a combination of tax abatements and a below-market mortgage kept buy-in prices significantly lower than comparable Manhattan co-op housing.