Property for Sale in Old Astoria
So, one of the homes in Old Astoria is up for sale - this is the area by Astoria Park. The listing can be seen on the NY Times Real Estate site. It’s a big old home on a large lot and is selling for $3,990,000… however it’s actually listed as Land. This means anyone who buys it is expected to tear down the existing structure. FYI, it’s not landmarked. Not much is in that area.
Curious about this property as an Astoria resident who has spent time walking around Old Astoria, I called the real estate agent and asked a few questions. Looks like whoever buys the property could build a 5-6 story building there, which could have around 25 apartments in it. The agent says it could be a very lucrative purchase. “Astoria is changing” he says.
However, it would require tearing down the current structure(s) - located on 14th Street near Hoyt - and tearing down some of Astoria’s history. This building is the Rosemont Mansion (you can see the name right on the front of the home), and according to an old NY Times article, the “Rose” part seems to refer to the gardens and great variety of flowers that were on the property many years ago. In fact, Mr. Benner, a lawyer and early resident of this house, “added many new specimens by propagation and cultivation to the world’s collection” of roses.
Currently there are two buildings on the lot, according to the Department of Buildings. Numerous complaints have been filed against the property over the years, from structural issues to illegally parked vehicles (including a Winnebago!) and paving.
Some feel that it would be best to try to save the Rosemont Mansion. If you are of this mind, it’s best to act quickly. According to Simeon Bankoff, the Historic Districts Council (HDC) will be posting the area under there “neighborhoods at risk” very soon. You can contact the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) at comments@lpc.nyc.gov and request that the building be considered to be landmarked. Be sure to cc: the HPC if you do at hdc@hdc.org. Feel free to contact Astoria’s City Council member Peter Vallone, Jr. on his City Council page .
Good luck, Rosemont Mansion!
Related:
Old Astoria Village [astorians.com]
Features of New York [NY Times]
Property Profile Overview [Department of Buildings]
NY Times listing
Photo credit: hexadecibel on flickr via a Creative Commons license
November 21st, 2007 at 4:25 pm
I’m also familiar with this property. Before anyone gets all romantic about “saving” it, it appears to have been subdivided into any number of apartments. And the cars everywhere. This is one big fraternity house. Nothing more. If they hosted keg parties for the locals, I’d be happy. But they don’t. So I’m for tearing it down. The area is changing. A luxury boutique condo would be a major improvement for this property. Just remember the positive things that were said right on this site about another little condo that’s steps away from this address http://www.outerb.com/?p=751
November 21st, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Tom, thanks for your comments. But as I see it, Hoyt Terrace Condos (23rd Street) are in a different world of Astoria from that Old Astoria area. That 21st Street is a real dividing line, both physically and mentally (same goes for Astoria Blvd). From what I can gather from the DOB site, a number of structural problems, some from water, have happened, and I wonder how badly it has damaged the structure.
I understand the POV of both sides, though. I’m more than happy to have opposing viewpoints here, too. Would love to hear from someone who does have notions of saving the property.
Oh, and I’m not sure how clear I was about the location of this building: this Old Astoria building is on 14th Street around the corner from Hoyt and the Park, and kind of across from Shore Towers (Tom, I imagine you know where this building is, this info is for others who might not).
September 16th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
the name is actually BILQUIS Mansion so get that right and for tom stop lookin for freebies(keg parties) HATER get a life
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:22 pm
THE PEOPLE R SOOOOOOOOO FRUGAL AND OBESE!!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Sam I know you are MS.khan or maybe not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!