Sunday, February 21, 2016

Eyesore McMansion almost finished


From the Queens Chronicle:

Construction on the castle-like house at 179-16 Grand Central Pkwy. is moving steadily along, after more than a decade of oft-stalled construction and thousands of dollars in fines from the Department of Buildings.

Stakeholders are pleased that the building is no longer stuck mid-development. Though Community Board 8 District Manager Marie Adam-Ovide used to receive complaints about the house, she said that they stopped since construction resumed.

“Nobody likes to see those empty shells of houses and no one living there,” Jamaica Estates Association President Martha Taylor, who also serves on the community board, told the Queens Chronicle.
The property had been purchased in 2001; a DOB permit was applied for in 2003; construction began in 2005.

14 comments:

(sarc) said...

In 1604 The English judge, jurist, and Attorney General of England Sir Edward Coke declared:

"Et domus sua cuique est tutissimum refugium." (“Every man’s home is his castle.”)

This is the basis and foundation, from English common law, for our Fourth Amendment to The United States Constitution Bill of Rights.

All long forgotten with the current data mining, The United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA Court), National Security Agency (NSA), warrantless searches, super secret terrorist watch lists, and a total erosion of our rights as supposed free peoples.

What is wrong with wanting you own safe and secure Castle?

You will all be knocking on his door, looking for protection, when the riots break out.

Some things never change...

Jerry Rotondi said...

Oh..I dunno...put a dragon on the roof...a maiden or two in distress...a silver knight.
The rubber necking motorists should cause a few traffic accidents...when they slow down to gawk.

Anonymous said...

What no moat?

JQ LLC said...

"Et domus sua cuique est tutissimum refugium." (“Every man’s home is his castle")


Thanks (Sarc), I always thought it was decreed by Sir Ralph Kramden of Bensonhurst to win an argument with Alice.

Since aesthetics are in play, what about a moat with gators and a bell tower for your deformed patsy.

A labrotory complete with beakers, flasks and those tesla thingies and electric orbs that give a menacing ambiance to your potential vict... I mean visitors.

Was Al Lewis resurrected to help design the layout?

(sarc) said...

JQ LLC

If that is what your taste is, enjoy!

I was just contemplating the absurd concept of a free country...

JQ LLC said...



@(sarc)
And I was making an absurd pop culture reference

And are you knocking the Honeymooners? Bang Zoom

Anonymous said...

I have driven by this monster so many times. What the hell took so long??

Anonymous said...

Wish something would be done with this nearby/ongoing eyesore in Jamaica Hills.

Joe Moretti said...

Wish something would be done with this nearby/ongoing eyesore in Jamaica Hills.
------------------------------

Well, you should see what that looks like now, worse than ever. There are way too many of these types of places and yet there is always talk about housing. So many places just sit empty like this, deteriorating and becoming an eyesore for a community.

(sarc) said...

JQ LLC

No offense or disrespect towards, The Great One, Jackie Gleason.

Ironically, Mister Gleason liked to have a "Castle".

He had his "Roundhouse Castle" custom built in Peekskill, New York in the early 1960s.

It was quite an architectural accomplishment for its time.

Everything about his home was round.

Interestingly, if it existed here in queens there would be outrage if it were torn down. BUT, even greater outrage if someone were to try and build it today.

What I was attempting to convey; if you want a laboratory, moat and bell tower, "just do it".

c'est la vie...

Anonymous said...

I think it's beautiful and will look spectacular when it is finished. AND it will add value to your homes. You guys need to really get with the times and stop with the crankiness. I'd love to see photos of your properties.

Anonymous said...

Let's hold a medieval Rennaisance fair to celebrate.

Jerry Rotondi said...

Maybe this is a new Game of Thrones set.

Anonymous said...

>Interestingly, if it existed here in queens there would be outrage if it were torn down. BUT, even greater outrage if someone were to try and build it today.

So true.