I will address all these recent Queens preservation outrages in my State of the Borough address tomorrow. Do not worry. This will all stop. Keep Calm and Carry On.
You can thank Peter Vallone Sr for this: he never cared for community preservation and now that lost generation in the community is coming back to haunt it.
And those attitudes have spread far beyond Astoria to the borough of Queens, now regarded as a pariah in polite circles because of things like this.
The silence of the elected official of Astoria, and their refusal to work with the Friends of Steinway Mansion - or anyone else for that matter - to protect this building is spilling over to the images of the community.
This is the image that that world sees of Astoria.
If the previous owner, the late Mike Halberian, were not so greedy and thought that he would live forever...he would have inserted a deed restriction in this property he claimed to love. So his greedier heirs chop up the lot and we have what we have today.
"I’m looking forward to seeing a positive resolution here,” Councilman Constantinides said. “[The buyers are] open to working with us. They share our vision.”
This succession of photos by GtA has been a great document. I imagine that, in the end, the developers will claim that all the construction has made the original building unstable, and they will apply to tear it down.
From the Queens Gazette, January 6, 2016: Paul Halvatzis of Amorelli Realty has sold a historic home in the Broadway-Flushing neighborhood...
The National Trust, in recognition of the company’s experience in successfully selling historical properties, honored Halvatzis, along with Christina Halvatzis and Lauren Cornea. Other accomplishments include the Steinway Mansion and the DeRose Pharmacy Building.
The National Trust, in recognition of the company’s experience in successfully selling historical properties, honored Halvatzis, along with Christina Halvatzis and Lauren Cornea. Other accomplishments include the Steinway Mansion and the DeRose Pharmacy Building. _____________________________________________________________ First, that is the Gazette.
Second, perhaps someone should tell the National Trust the truth. They probably got letters of recommendation on official letterhead from Costa, Michael, the usual.
Their words are increasingly lame - tricks increasingly out of touch.
If the previous owner, the late Mike Halberian, were not so greedy and thought that he would live forever...he would have inserted a deed restriction in this property he claimed to love. So his greedier heirs chop up the lot and we have what we have today.
For the record he told everyone that he was being advised by the Vallones. BTW, who was his attorney - Vallone?
Anonymous Roger said... This succession of photos by GtA has been a great document. I imagine that, in the end, the developers will claim that all the construction has made the original building unstable, and they will apply to tear it down.
Doubtful as a number of teams of experts vetted those plans. more likely a fire in the dome from all those mystery books still in the mansion (and Costa refused to lift a finger to move so that potentially implicates him) or that street is lowered and widened leaving the mansion all but inaccessible.
Don't you think it's about time that someone, anyone, ask mansion/warehouse owner Loria what the plans for the mansion are once these warehouses are completed. Hmnn? Don't you think it's about time?
Don't you think it's about time that someone, anyone, ask mansion/warehouse owner Loria what the plans for the mansion are once these warehouses are completed. Hmnn? Don't you think it's about time? ---- Ask the 'real estate agent' gatekeeper, Costa of the 'Vallone Group'.
This succession of photos by GtA has been a great document
When he is done, this series will be shown in a gallery in the city. The Times might do a feature on it and its likely that other national publications in preservation will consider running a spread.
A powerful statement that will soil the image of the borough and will take a long time for Queens to live down. No one has so eloquently documented something like this before - and couple with the name 'Steinway' will forever expose to public outrage those responsible.
It seems the 'boys' overreached themselves this time.
Please...I do not wish to speak ill of the departed....but Halberian was always trying to have his cake and eat it too. He tried in the early 1990s to foist his white elephant on every one he could. BUT, he was asking a ridiculous price for the mansion. So, he got to pass away on the dining room table in the middle of a snow storm in the house that he "loved". A dramatic end. And the vultures...his family...circled.
How can they lower the street (41st street) without all the other property owners south of the mansion being up in arms? Their properties are also on that incline.
Speaking of which here's the Coming Attraction of what's involved at the extremely narrow, 12 foot wide, two-way street - you read that right: a 2-way street! - right next to the mansion's entrance. Get your popcorn and drinks. This ought to be fun to watch.
How can they lower the street (41st street) without all the other property owners south of the mansion being up in arms? Their properties are also on that incline.
-)-)-)-) 2 properties, one already for sale and the other, a house, being offered a kings ransom so the mansion might be ENCIRCLED with warehouses and perched on top of a pimple like Devil's Tower.
Mike used to tell us the city tried to do that in the past, and the rear house that was torn down, lost its access to 42nd street - and all deliveries had to go to the property on 41st St.
No the abuse of the mansion is just getting started. Step by step.
Right now we are enjoying, as Costa our councilman has stated, the fact that they 'might' develop' a 'part of the property.' You are right, someone should go to him for some more community misleading 'bon mots.'
Please...I do not wish to speak ill of the departed....but Halberian was always trying to have his cake and eat it too. He tried in the early 1990s to foist his white elephant on every one he could.
actually that stared back in the 80s. you have to understand that a certain leading lawyer with lots of experience in estates was advising him mike hinted to this everyone, and the locals, like so many in that part of Queens, have an almost childlike trust for people in authority. no one could talk to mike, even when they laid on the table (pun not intended) step by step on what was going to happen.
he trusted people and thought his vision, as outlined in that documentary, would be fulfilled. old country, ya know?
Google Earth already shows the lot that is 2 lots south of the mansion (the one for sale) is empty. It just the house to the immediate south of the mansion that's holding them back from bulldozing the Steinway barn and isolating the mansion and perhaps even removing the mansion's grounds keeper annex to the west.
And it will happen within a week so that the local press will not cover something that has already happened like cutting down the trees and despoiling a native site.
The is no interest, in many people's view, for them to stop this slow strip-tease until the land is clear and made useful.
They make money, Astoria and Queens gets the black eye.
If the previous owner, the late Mike Halberian, were not so greedy and thought that he would live forever...he would have inserted a deed restriction in this property he claimed to love. So his greedier heirs chop up the lot and we have what we have today.
Once again, Costa was told about this well in advance, and dismissed it with a chuckle saying there was 'nothing he could do.'
There is still plenty left in NYC. I am finding it hard to care about WTF goes on in Queens. So the mansion's prospect is gone. I'm not crying over it any more. It's over. Next! Sometimes it is not healthy to be obsessed by the past. Just add this to the list of atrocities permitted by our crooked politicians. What pisses me off is the swill that the Vallone family has fed their constituency for decades. And the sheeple gladly drink it.
A Steinway arts district? Just like the affordable one that was once in LIC Hunters Point? Unless these "artists" own the property they practice their "arts" in , they will be removed after they have cultureized and softened up the area for hipsters and yuppies to gentrify.
Maybe some artists can rent these ware houses that will occupy the old front lawn of the mansion. What will be the going rental rate? How many artists can afford to put a studio in one of these?
I had a feeling the (brave new)art world was involved.
Although I naively assumed that these were built so much needed manufacturing jobs would come thanks to our sainted governor's tax break for new businesses. But instead there are going to be knockdown center style events, starfucking galas, and facebook arranged parties. It's the same gentrification mission creep going on by the Sunset Park warehouses. The kicker is that they didn't serve alcohol because they knew they wouldn't get a liquor license.
Art is one of the main drivers in the nexus of gentrification. They marked Northwest Queens with that "sunbather" statue. It makes me wonder if any of these creative types have connections with the predator developers.
Great Job G the A. I would take those pics and tape them to the girders and bases there like some street art gallery if they weren't copyrighted.
Please.....yawn...let the mansion rest in peace....or pieces. It's once nice prospect is gone. Nobody is going to travel to the middle of a nowhere borough to look at what? Pull your heads out of your duffle bags, as my drill sergeant used to say. This is the world of hurt! Move on.
30 comments:
I will address all these recent Queens preservation outrages in my State of the Borough address tomorrow. Do not worry. This will all stop. Keep Calm and Carry On.
now you see it, now you don't, infinity
You can thank Peter Vallone Sr for this: he never cared for community preservation and now that lost generation in the community is coming back to haunt it.
And those attitudes have spread far beyond Astoria to the borough of Queens, now regarded as a pariah in polite circles because of things like this.
The silence of the elected official of Astoria, and their refusal to work with the Friends of Steinway Mansion - or anyone else for that matter - to protect this building is spilling over to the images of the community.
This is the image that that world sees of Astoria.
If the previous owner, the late Mike Halberian, were not so greedy and thought that he would live forever...he would have inserted a deed restriction in this property he claimed to love. So his greedier heirs chop up the lot and we have what we have today.
Peter Vallone Sr? How about Son of Vallone:
"I’m looking forward to seeing a positive resolution here,” Councilman Constantinides said. “[The buyers are] open to working with us. They share our vision.”
This succession of photos by GtA has been a great document. I imagine that, in the end, the developers will claim that all the construction has made the original building unstable, and they will apply to tear it down.
From the Queens Gazette, January 6, 2016:
Paul Halvatzis of Amorelli Realty has sold a historic home in the Broadway-Flushing neighborhood...
The National Trust, in recognition of the company’s experience in successfully selling historical properties, honored Halvatzis, along with Christina Halvatzis and Lauren Cornea. Other accomplishments include the Steinway Mansion and the DeRose Pharmacy Building.
The National Trust, in recognition of the company’s experience in successfully selling historical properties, honored Halvatzis, along with Christina Halvatzis and Lauren Cornea. Other accomplishments include the Steinway Mansion and the DeRose Pharmacy Building.
_____________________________________________________________
First, that is the Gazette.
Second, perhaps someone should tell the National Trust the truth. They probably got letters of recommendation on official letterhead from Costa, Michael, the usual.
Their words are increasingly lame - tricks increasingly out of touch.
If the previous owner, the late Mike Halberian, were not so greedy and thought that he would live forever...he would have inserted a deed restriction in this property he claimed to love. So his greedier heirs chop up the lot and we have what we have today.
For the record he told everyone that he was being advised by the Vallones. BTW, who was his attorney - Vallone?
Anonymous Roger said...
This succession of photos by GtA has been a great document. I imagine that, in the end, the developers will claim that all the construction has made the original building unstable, and they will apply to tear it down.
Doubtful as a number of teams of experts vetted those plans. more likely a fire in the dome from all those mystery books still in the mansion (and Costa refused to lift a finger to move so that potentially implicates him) or that street is lowered and widened leaving the mansion all but inaccessible.
Don't you think it's about time that someone, anyone, ask mansion/warehouse owner Loria what the plans for the mansion are once these warehouses are completed. Hmnn? Don't you think it's about time?
Don't you think it's about time that someone, anyone, ask mansion/warehouse owner Loria what the plans for the mansion are once these warehouses are completed. Hmnn? Don't you think it's about time?
----
Ask the 'real estate agent' gatekeeper, Costa of the 'Vallone Group'.
Nice side job, eh?
This succession of photos by GtA has been a great document
When he is done, this series will be shown in a gallery in the city. The Times might do a feature on it and its likely that other national publications in preservation will consider running a spread.
A powerful statement that will soil the image of the borough and will take a long time for Queens to live down. No one has so eloquently documented something like this before - and couple with the name 'Steinway' will forever expose to public outrage those responsible.
It seems the 'boys' overreached themselves this time.
Please...I do not wish to speak ill of the departed....but Halberian was always trying to have his cake and eat it too.
He tried in the early 1990s to foist his white elephant on every one he could.
BUT, he was asking a ridiculous price for the mansion.
So, he got to pass away on the dining room table in the middle of a snow storm in the house that he "loved".
A dramatic end. And the vultures...his family...circled.
How can they lower the street (41st street) without all the other property owners south of the mansion being up in arms? Their properties are also on that incline.
Speaking of which here's the Coming Attraction of what's involved at the extremely narrow, 12 foot wide, two-way street - you read that right: a 2-way street! - right next to the mansion's entrance. Get your popcorn and drinks. This ought to be fun to watch.
Previews here.
How can they lower the street (41st street) without all the other property owners south of the mansion being up in arms? Their properties are also on that incline.
-)-)-)-)
2 properties, one already for sale and the other, a house, being offered a kings ransom so the mansion might be ENCIRCLED with warehouses and perched on top of a pimple like Devil's Tower.
Mike used to tell us the city tried to do that in the past, and the rear house that was torn down, lost its access to 42nd street - and all deliveries had to go to the property on 41st St.
No the abuse of the mansion is just getting started. Step by step.
Right now we are enjoying, as Costa our councilman has stated, the fact that they 'might' develop' a 'part of the property.' You are right, someone should go to him for some more community misleading 'bon mots.'
Please...I do not wish to speak ill of the departed....but Halberian was always trying to have his cake and eat it too. He tried in the early 1990s to foist his white elephant on every one he could.
actually that stared back in the 80s.
you have to understand that a certain leading lawyer with lots of experience in estates was advising him mike hinted to this everyone,
and the locals, like so many in that part of Queens, have an almost childlike trust for people in authority.
no one could talk to mike, even when they laid on the table (pun not intended) step by step on what was going to happen.
he trusted people and thought his vision, as outlined in that documentary, would be fulfilled. old country, ya know?
Google Earth already shows the lot that is 2 lots south of the mansion (the one for sale) is empty. It just the house to the immediate south of the mansion that's holding them back from bulldozing the Steinway barn and isolating the mansion and perhaps even removing the mansion's grounds keeper annex to the west.
And it will happen within a week so that the local press will not cover something that has already happened like cutting down the trees and despoiling a native site.
The is no interest, in many people's view, for them to stop this slow strip-tease until the land is clear and made useful.
They make money, Astoria and Queens gets the black eye.
If the previous owner, the late Mike Halberian, were not so greedy and thought that he would live forever...he would have inserted a deed restriction in this property he claimed to love. So his greedier heirs chop up the lot and we have what we have today.
Once again, Costa was told about this well in advance, and dismissed it with a chuckle saying there was 'nothing he could do.'
Would somebody - ANYBODY* - please ask the Mansion's New York City Councilman COSTA CONSTANINIDES what the hell is going on there?
*Besides the redoubtable George the atheist.
There is still plenty left in NYC.
I am finding it hard to care about WTF goes on in Queens.
So the mansion's prospect is gone.
I'm not crying over it any more. It's over.
Next!
Sometimes it is not healthy to be obsessed by the past.
Just add this to the list of atrocities permitted by our crooked politicians.
What pisses me off is the swill that the Vallone family has fed their constituency for decades.
And the sheeple gladly drink it.
I don't think the Friends are going anywhere.
https://www.facebook.com/steinwaymansion/
Follow the link for the Friends latest postings! Please share with them if you know any art or artisans that are being threatened by landlords.
They are pushing for a Steinway Arts Districts and these 'warehouses' could play an important role in realizing that dream.
Why is it that every preservation group has to call it self "Friends Of"?
With some friends like the ineffective ones, one does not need any enemies.
A Steinway arts district? Just like the affordable one that was once in LIC Hunters Point?
Unless these "artists" own the property they practice their "arts" in , they will be removed after they have cultureized and softened up the area for hipsters and yuppies to gentrify.
Maybe some artists can rent these ware houses that will occupy the old front lawn of the mansion.
What will be the going rental rate? How many artists can afford to put a studio in one of these?
I had a feeling the (brave new)art world was involved.
Although I naively assumed that these were built so much needed manufacturing jobs would come thanks to our sainted governor's tax break for new businesses. But instead there are going to be knockdown center style events, starfucking galas, and facebook arranged parties. It's the same gentrification mission creep going on by the Sunset Park warehouses. The kicker is that they didn't serve alcohol because they knew they wouldn't get a liquor license.
Art is one of the main drivers in the nexus of gentrification. They marked Northwest Queens with that "sunbather" statue. It makes me wonder if any of these creative types have connections with the predator developers.
Great Job G the A. I would take those pics and tape them to the girders and bases there like some street art gallery if they weren't copyrighted.
Please.....yawn...let the mansion rest in peace....or pieces.
It's once nice prospect is gone.
Nobody is going to travel to the middle of a nowhere borough to look at what?
Pull your heads out of your duffle bags, as my drill sergeant used to say.
This is the world of hurt! Move on.
LOL!
They should have had Italy's renown architect , Renzo Piano, design these warehouses.
Post a Comment