We asked 14 months ago - HERE - what was to become of the parcel of land immediately adjacent south of the Steinway Mansion.
Answer:
with cellar designed by Gerald Caliendo and owned by
Philip Loria (1839LorLLC) and Sal Lucchese (1839 LuccLLC).
Photo 2. Looking east across the extremely narrow 41st Street
at 18-39, the former property of the late owner Armin Urban.
Photo 3. All's quiet at night as bulldozer "sleeps" for
the next day's foundation excavation work.
Photo 4. Steinway Mansion to be further hemmed in by additional proximate development.
Photo 5. It's official. Who's who. What's what. And where and when.
28 comments:
Well, Astoria could have had a museum. Instead it's a private clubhouse. Taken away from the community without a shrug and nary a peep.
Look at the bright side. Focus on things that are important and what the community is very proud of and very vocal about: you can get good a pizza slice or gyro there. And you can take pictures to your heart's content of sunsets at Astoria Park and its bridges.
Something that any real Astorian will tell you are among those things important in life. That, plus making a killing by selling the old man's house for a tear down. In their eyes, these are the things that defines a good community. Just like the old days they never left behind.
Those pictures of the ground site are outstanding.
Such a once nice property now turning into "gentrification" trash for the wealthy. Nothing new there.
Such a once nice property now turning into "gentrification" trash for the wealthy. Nothing new there.
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Have no idea as what your mean. Warehouses = gentification. WTF?
I do not understand why are locals miss the point about respecting or valuing this place while there is a year long waiting list for the factory tour two blocks away?
I go on walking tours throughout the city for the past decade and have seen a lot of memorable things and interesting communities. Its a lot of fun and most enjoyable to see other communities and learn about our city.
Went on a tour of the Steinway neighborhood a few months back and the tour guide showed us pictures of what is now happening here. He just flipped the pictures in his binder and said nothing as about 30 people stood in stony silence.
It was one of the most depressing things I have seen in all those tours.
I must assume that anyone who says the neighboring property was nice has never been there!! It was a junk yard of abandoned cars, boats, & campers. Would have been the star attraction for the Steinway tour I’m sure!!!
Was the Mansion open to the public when Halberian owned It?....NO it was opened to friends, just like it is now. Only difference between then and now, it is restored, not dilapidated, manicured not overgrown, prestigious not gloomy.
George you should go by and ring the bell, see if you can get in for a tour.
Have no idea as what your mean. Warehouses = gentification. WTF?
The bastards file as whorehouses to get in then a year or two down the line its becomes studios for the rich or homeless shelters.
Sixty years ago I remember when the entire area was a dump. Literally. Now they are building a movie studio.
The pictures of the Halloween Party going around the internet is child's play compared to back in the day when we used to drive by for kicks in the 60s seeing all the Caddies and Continentals parked outside at midnight.
Then mansion was well on its way to become a community center - back in the 80s and 90s it had parties, fund raisers, the Xmas Party for Astoria. To his dying day Mike loved to show that place off. That is until the local political clique got hold of Halberian and told him he could make a mint. Then community was cut out setting him and property up. Everyone knows who shepherded his daughter during negotiations.
You boys made your money. Its time to know when to fold and get up from the table. Everyone is watching that property and you know it.
Give it back to Astoria. Think of what that place can do for the community. For kids. Hell cut the deal to give you access if you want, and you will be heroes to your grandchildren. Win win for Astoria. One big happy family. At least that's the way we used to do it. Give it some thought. You're smart guys.
An Astoria Oldtimer.
Long waiting list for the tour?? Problem isn’t high demand, its that Bob singleton is a hunchback that cant hold his own head up to walk!!
Gentrification?? Of that area?? Conversion into apartments?? What fairy tail delusion do you people live in?? Or what drugs are you taking (If so please pass on)??
"I must assume that anyone who says the neighboring property was nice has never been there!! It was a junk yard of abandoned cars, boats, & campers."
Absolutely correct. Once you drove up that hill on 41st all you saw was junk cars and overgrown brush. At night the whole place looked derelict and haunted. I'm not a fan of boxing in the mansion but there was certainly no curb appeal within the last few decades.
Harry Bingham IV
"Problem isn’t high demand, its [SIC] that Bob singleton [SIC] is a hunchback that cant [SIC] hold his own head up to walk!!"
Fer chrissakes - don't they teach punctuation and capitalization in school any more?
I must assume that anyone who says the neighboring property was nice has never been there!! It was a junk yard of abandoned cars, boats, & campers."
Absolutely correct. Once you drove up that hill on 41st all you saw was junk cars and overgrown brush. At night the whole place looked derelict and haunted. I'm not a fan of boxing in the mansion but there was certainly no curb appeal within the last few decades.
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Lets ignore that an acre of mature trees and a large lawn are replaced by a dozen ugly warehouses. Lets talk about how things are better because a few junk cars are gone. Lets also talk on how Astorians are disgusted.
"Lets ignore that an acre of mature trees and a large lawn are replaced by a dozen ugly warehouses. Lets talk about how things are better because a few junk cars are gone. Lets also talk on how Astorians are disgusted."
You're concerned about trees... in the largest city in the United States. I'm afraid, you are 400 years too late. An hour North/East/West, you will find what you desire. What about all the trees that where cut down to to build the mansion, or the factory, or the piano's, or a third of present day Astoria that was built by the Steinway family. Never mind, those are excluded because the "good ole' days" don't require fact, just tales of bullshit. Mud huts sound enticing, so lead the way and we shall follow you, our Savior.
"Lets ignore that an acre of mature trees and a large lawn are replaced by a dozen ugly warehouses. Lets talk about how things are better because a few junk cars are gone. Lets also talk on how Astorians are disgusted."
Halberian himself long ignored the "mature trees and large lawn" you speak of. The fact is the grounds of the mansion and immediate surrounding area had not been kept up for a long time. Urban's Sanford & Son style junk collection strewn about certainly didn't bring out the majesty of the trees and lawn.
Again, I am no fan of the mansion being obscured but let's face it: what was the alternative? Obviously no one with the means to buy it was interested in a house in the middle of nowhere next to a sewage treatment plant. Would it look better if the property was still dormant?
These guys paid a pretty penny for the property and I don't blame them one bit for monetizing it the way they see fit. At least the mansion is saved from the further decay and vandalism that would result if it was still vacant.
Spare me the whole "disgusted Astorians" bit. I have been living here for 45 years and the most disgusting thing is that the same Democrat windbags keep getting reelected by the electorate. NO ONE in the community was proactive about the mansion prior to Halberian's death. Did they think he was going to live forever?
Speaking of which, the Lent-Riker Homestead will likely soon share a similar fate. And where are the GAHS and Bob Singleton on that issue? Nowhere to be found. Just like the Pike Mansion - asleep at the switch.
Harry Bingham IV
I would challenge you, 'Harry,' to publicly post your comments on the various local community Facebook websites to give the community an opportunity to respond, or (if I may say) you if you don't, then you are yet another self appointed BS windbag that claims to represent Astoria. Go ahead, 'Harry', or keep the trap shut.
The fact of the matter is that the mansion was well on the way to being saved with Albany (Marj Markey) and the community (Friends of Steinway Mansion) with hundreds of signatures. They were building a head of steam.
What happened?
All that was missing was groups like the Astoria Civic. Why don't you ask Peter Vallone and his circle why they were noticeably absent and did nothing while the community's desire to make this a center strangled in its cradle.
Go ahead, and report that back to us from those community blogs your are challenged to state your perspective on this issue too.
Its their kids, 'Harry', not yours, that are getting the wrong life answers and missed educational opportunities. Its their businesses, 'Harry', and not yours, that are losing big time the tourist dollars.
Mike himself went on public on that Youtube video sharing his dreams about the place. Why don't you view it and share with the community his comments?
As to the Historical Society I can't talk for them - they are out of that decaying funeral home and that is good for them. My guess if someone in official channels asks them what can be done - with their connections to Steinway - it might be something interesting.
I personally don't think the guys that own the mansion should be held for the kind of ridicule that they are getting on this blog. They saw an opportunity and jumped on it. Its all business as they say. That's the American way right up there with apple pie.
I personally think that other uses could be found, and they are getting a bit long in tooth to pose for punk album covers at Halloween parties, but then, again, you and I will not be around in a few decades when their grand kids find those pix and start asking daddy and mommy questions. (heh)
Its those that made that farce happen, those that are behind this blot to the honor of Astoria, those who betrayed their community - that should be held for scorn.
Now its up to the character of Astoria's leadership. The ball is squarely in their court. Legacy is a funny thing. You go one way, and you are immortalized as a hero. They rename streets, raise monuments to your honor.
You go another, and your grand kids will p*ss on your grave.
Don't kid yourself. I have been around long enough to know that sooner or later the truth comes out. And believe me, there are those out there that would love to out those responsible.
I'm done with this discussion.
I'm so glad ANON above is done with this discussion because I don't know where to start.
The ANONYMOUS POSTER who claims that I am a windbag for "not posting on Astoria blogs" chooses to tell me to "keep my trap shut" after BEING TOO COWARDLY TO PUT HIS OWN NAME on his post.
You can't make this stuff up.
I never claimed to "represent Astoria."
Rebuttal Point #1: If you think the Vallones or their Astoria Civic would ever stand for historic preservation over real estate development, you are a phony and not from Astoria at all. The Vallones have always been about development. That's what paid for their NEW JERSEY mansion which is worth more than Steinway Mansion could ever be.
Rebuttal Point #2: Marge Markey couldn't even save her own job much less anything else. None of the local electeds were interested in saving the mansion. Singleton's ridiculous fundraisers were laughable. You're not buying a million dollar property by raising a few hundred dollars every Friday night.
Rebuttal Point #3: "Mike" had many years to turn the mansion into a community institution. Instead, it was turned into a bacchanal complete with perverted, kinky hot tubs in the basement (I'm serious, Google it).
Rebuttal Point #4: Once again, you are not an Astorian. Otherwise, you would know that the GAHS hasn't been in the Quinn building for over a year. They have new digs on 23rd Street.
You, Sir, are the windbag. I'll put my name below to show that I have the bigger scrotum.
Harry Bingham IV
Burro prez wannabee Constantinides, you reading this? (And get your stupid ugly front teeth fixed too while you're at it.)
Joe Risi - attorney for the family who sold it
Halvatas - the real estate broker who handled it
Caliendo - the architect who designed it
all have ties to Vallone?
now where did I place that amended partnership copy?
come on 'harry' start posting on all those Astoria facebooks out there.
share with them all your 'knowledge' about the mansion.
make yourself public in your comments and go ahead and stir up the community.
you will not of course, as you know you are full of hot air.
you know they will politely set you straight.
you know squat.
If you think the Vallones or their Astoria Civic would ever stand for historic preservation over real estate development, you are a phony and not from Astoria at all. The Vallones have always been about development. None of the local electeds were interested in saving the mansion.
THAT SNEERING ATTITUDE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND ITS EFFORTS AT TRYING TO SAVE IT IS WHY CROWLEY IS GONE AND THE REST OF THEM GOT RELIGION ... THAT PETITION YOU SNEERED AT HAD HUNDREDS OF NAMES OF YOUNG PEOPLE .... THE SAME PEOPLE THAT GOT OFF SCRIPT AND GOT TOGETHER AT THOSE EVENTS THAT RAISED MONEY. SURE IT WAS A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS BUT IT SENT A MESSAGE THAT WAS CONTEMPTUOUSLY IGNORED. AND A LESSON NOT FORGOTTEN.
EVERY TIME AN ASTORIAN WENT BY AND LOOKED AT THAT MANSION AND THINKS OF WHAT IT COULD BE THEY LOST A VOTE. YOU CAN THANK THE MANSION AS EXHIBIT 'A' AS THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR 'OLD SKOL' ASTORIA. NEVER THUMB YOUR NOSE AT THE VOTERS. ACCEPT CHANGE AND LISTEN TO THE FUTURE.
YOU CAN BE ASSURED ITS THAT SAME YOUNG PEOPLE AT THOSE MANSION FUNDRAISERS THAT VOTED A FEW HUNDRED VOTES AGAINST COWLEY AND THE BOYS AND FOR A.O.C. AND ASTORIA'S NEW FUTURE.
JUST HOPE IT STAYS TOGETHER WITH THAT CLOWN CLUB IN CHARGE UNTIL ASTORIA'S POLS WISE UP ... OR ARE REPLACED ... WE HAD ALL BETTER PRAY THAT NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL THEN BECAUSE IF IT DOES THERE WILL BE FACTS REVEALED AND QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED.
AS MARK TWAIN ONCE SAID, "OVERREACHING DON'T PAY." LONG LIVE THE STEINWAY MANSION!
A few hundred dollars every Friday and a "petition" cannot buy a multi-million dollar piece of property. Just so you completely understand: your "feelings" and your "petition" cannot secure a piece of real property. It takes cold hard cash to be able to do it. Whenever you are ready to sell your house based on my feelings, please give me a call.
Crowley was defeated due to the Queens Machine's own arrogance and low turnout.
The vast majority of the "young people" living in Astoria have never heard of Steinway Mansion nor could they lead you to it without GPS.
Placing my name below on this BOROUGH-WIDE blog unlike the 'anonymous' eunuchs above.
Cheers,
Harry Bingham IV
Yes- Risi, Halvatzis and Caliendo all have ties to Vallone.
This goes back to the DeMarco/D'Amico days.
"EVERY TIME AN ASTORIAN WENT BY AND LOOKED AT THAT MANSION..."
Now THAT statement is comical. 99% of people that are living or have ever lived in Astoria HAVE NEVER walked by the mansion. LMAO. New Flash: It is in the middle of NOWHERE with no reason for the average resident to ever pass by it. I've been living here for 46 years and I've only been by it several times. The only reason people ever went up there was to teach their kids to drive because it was so desolate.
It is also relevant to state that the mansion was almost completely obscured from view from the street for years. On the 42nd Street side all you saw was a wrought iron gate and overgrown brush and trees. On the 41st Street side all you saw once you got up the hill was the back door of the mansion and the abandoned cars and sheds on Urban's property. So, no one "walked by" and saw the mansion... Check Google Street View from years past and get a nice feel of seeing nothing.
But, hey, if waste treatment plants, bus garages, stray dogs, overgrown weeds, and Armin Urban's junkyard are your idea of a good time, who am I to argue?
Harry Bingham IV
few hundred dollars every Friday and a "petition" cannot buy a multi-million dollar piece of property. Just so you completely understand: your "feelings" and your "petition" cannot secure a piece of real property. It takes cold hard cash to be able to do it. Whenever you are ready to sell your house based on my feelings, please give me a call.
^
Plenty of grass roots support. The events were packed. You were not there. I and my friends were. Tables at Astoria Park got 1000s of signatures in the brief time the Friends were around.
Actually the entire effort was sketched together by people that were successful in other campaigns around the city. They were appalled at the behavior of Astoria's leadership and its contemptuous treatment of the community. They had never seen anything like it.
The point of the matter was the when senior people with funding came down from Albany to tour the mansion, and saw that the local pols were told to be MIA, they basically said the deal was dead. If you look at any project around the city, its was always a public private partnership.
Here someone told the politicians to stay away. The did. They never signed promised letters of support. It was a stab in the back to the community.
That was the first time the new residents lost faith in the community's leadership. I am a bit younger than you Harry and a part of that newly arrived group. My friends and I know a lot more about what is going on and being discussed in those beer gardens then you Harry. That opened to door ultimately to people like the Socialist Alternatives and Anti-gentrification and finally fresh blood in office. They are not bought. The old network is meaningless to them.
Everyone I talk to, transplant and native alike, has been by the Mansion and know about it. They are all united in thinking that stabbing the community in the back, as well as those that did it, stinks. You can throw all the money into new running tracks and the like but people see through it. Principle is what counts. Remember, Trump got his start in Queens, and everything he knows he learned right here.
A few guys were made really wealthy at the price of selling the community's future down the river. Yea, you got your money. Have fun thumbing your nose at us twerking at elaborate fantasy parties because in your little world that is likely all you understand.
We may have lost the Mansion but you are about to loose your Kingdom. I would suggest strongly you might want to convene a strategy session to rethink a few things.
Now THAT statement is comical. 99% of people that are living or have ever lived in Astoria HAVE NEVER walked by the mansion. LMAO. New Flash: It is in the middle of NOWHERE with no reason for the average resident to ever pass by it.
wrong on that one the mansion is a constant topic of facebook blogs in the community with people taking pictures and videos of it all the time. there is a batch of stuff from locals on youtube. everyone knows about it.
“We may have lost the Mansion but you are about to loose your Kingdom. I would suggest strongly you might want to convene a strategy session to rethink a few things. “
How did you lose something you never had???
Facts:
All the fundraising by the Astoria historic society totaled $3500. You couldn’t even afford, the pianist bench for the Steinway piano that currently sits in the foyer!
Joe Risi wasn’t the sellers attorney
Mansion restoration was only possible because of the surrounding developments financial success. Instead of being thankful for the restoration, instead of apologizing for misrepresenting the facts for 4 years, you continue to criticize and lie (Adam Schiff like)
That block was a dump and Mansion was less visible then it it today.
No strategy session needed, the kingdom reigns on!!
Harry is the only person with any common sense on this Blog!
The Mansion is as glorious today as it was the day Pike built it, except now there is air conditioning!!
Happy Sunday!!
The Mansion is as glorious today as it was the day Pike built it, except now there is air conditioning!!
Are you talking about the Halloween decor, the dancer with the snake in front of the Steinway Piano, and the dead zebra head dangling from the wall? Mr Trump, what you call 'glorious' the rest of us call a 'travesty.'
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