Friday, October 16, 2020

Bad Architect Chapter 2, Steinway warehouse

 

 

 George the Atheist

 Latest views of the neighboring warehouse construction just immediately south of the landmarked Steinway Mansion

That tree is going down.  

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Based on what we have learned about Caliendo's unprofessional conduct in the previously Queens Crap posted court ruling, how safe is this new Caliendo warehouse construction right next to the Steinway mansion?

Anonymous said...

Some one should reach out to the Greater Astoria Historical Society- I bet with their connections to Steinway the building could be repurposed and bring in dollars to the community and be a big asset in education and the arts.

Anonymous said...

'Someone should reach out to the Greater Astoria Historical Society'

I really hope you're being sarcastic. Either that or you're not too familiar with them lol

Gabel said...

The glory of this building was in it’s setting of a country estate surrounded by trees and on it’s hill looking down rolling lawns to the bay with it’s spectacular view across the East River to Manhattan. All it is now is this sorry relic.

Anonymous said...

Architect? More like a butcher (my apologies to the real butchers).

Anonymous said...

That neighborhood? All they want to talk about is growing up in the 50s or 70s and how the neighborhood was great and now there is nothing to do but move (and sell moms house for big bucks) because there is nothing you can do. Never saw a community with such a poor image of themselves so unwilling to lift a finger but whine and complain. But they do love stuffing their face with food. And videos of dancing the oompa! oompa! High Culture in them parts.

Look at this building and it tells all about Astoria you want to know.

Anonymous said...

'Someone should reach out to the Greater Astoria Historical Society'

I really hope you're being sarcastic. Either that or you're not too familiar with them lol


"They are the only ones who get the story right!" Henry Z. Steinway. I was on one of their legendary factory tours. The waiting list is a year long my friend. I am indeed both familiar with them and being sarcastic.

Anonymous said...

Oh, the GAHS? You mean the people that did nothing to plan for the mansion since 1985 and then tried to hold $5 a glass beer fundraisers to purchase the property once it was in peril? These couldn't be the same people that did nothing to save the Presbyterian Church in Astoria from demolition? Nah.

Anonymous said...

These couldn't be the same people that did nothing to save the Presbyterian Church in Astoria from demolition? Nah.

Ah there is a story my friend!

The way everyone heard about it from their members, Presbytery strong armed the congregation to sell the property and many of the membership - not knowing rights within their 'Book of Order' and voted to sell it. They lost by one vote.

Astoria failed, yet again, to save a community asset and part of their identity.

It was not the role of an outsider to get involved within internal matters of a church congregation so no, they were not actively involved. You are incorrect.

It was Astoria that lost: their plans were to open the building as a Astoria Community Center. So go ahead and gloat. This issue was noticed around the country. Other communities knew what action to take.

In NYC and elsewhere these assets are getting saved. Astoria is getting left behind. Just read their cries when each place gets ripped down. With each new lament the Astoria dies a little more.

Except for the few that smirk.

There is a sequel. When the stained glass windows were put up for sale, they were purchased by the Latter Day Saints. Guess who was contacted for additional information.

As a matter of fact, they offered a fully paid round trip to the Society as a special their guest when the new Temple (with the old windows) was dedicated. It is an honor almost unheard of and from what we understand they are are still listed as an advisor and consultant to the Mormon Church.

As to the Steinway, fiasco, ask Marg Markey what happened.

Anonymous said...

GTA, why the Fish Eye, feels like a Beastie Boys music video.

Anonymous said...

Forget about all the above. Is this new disgraced architect Caliendo-designed warehouse safe?

Anonymous said...

Mormons are not Christians. As such, they should have no interest in Presbyterian stained glass. Strange.

Marge Markey, and her husband Judge Markey, are vestiges of a time gone by. Useless then and irrelevant now.

Demolition of the Presbyterian Church in Astoria was a tragedy from a preservation standpoint. The pastor claimed Singleton wouldn't offer any help. Others claimed the pastor himself was shady and unreliable. Who knows what the real story is but as far as I remember, GAHS did absolutely nothing to try to stop this. Who needs an 'historical society' that doesn't care about history?

Proof in the pudding: name one site the GAHS is trying to save now. Answer: zero. Plenty of 'tours' though.

Anonymous said...

https://www.deseret.com/2016/10/27/20599136/stained-glass-window-from-new-york-now-on-display-at-the-byu-museum-of-art#the-new-to-magnify-the-lord-exhibit-is-on-display-at-the-museum-of-art-in-provo-tuesday-sept-13-2016

So much for their "no interest in Presbyterian Stained Glass". From that point the rest of your tirade can't be taken seriously - its so much blather. I was going to send this over to them but will not bother.

As for you make cup of coffee and calm down.

Lets worry what potential damage is done to the Steinway Mansion by the developers ... and their investors.

Anonymous said...

Why don't you guys just accept the fact that the mansion is done. It's over. Get it outta your head already. Sheesh. This city has much bigger problems than a dilapidated old house that no one with the resources was interested in buying. Lot of opinionated keyboard warriors here who apparently didn't (and don't) have the most important part of the equation: money. The current owners paid for it fair and square. It's up to them what they're going to do with THEIR property.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I think the newest warehouses are an improvement on the Sanford & Son style junk heap that Urban lived in. No one seems to be mentioning the fact that the southern end of your precious mansion was surrounded by a squalid heap of junk and rusty cars that weren't moved for decades.

Anonymous said...

I don't know how Halberian lived there all those years. The area is super creepy especially at night.

Anonymous said...

Tell that to the people that come to the factory from around the world, ask about the mansion, go over to it, and ask who can do something like that.



Anonymous said...

The people responsible for this are not Astoria. They did a black eye to our community. Disgraceful.

Anonymous said...

Good question. What is in store for this place - someone is going to set fire and try remove it? Rumor has it that an upstate museum was asking questions. Why?

Anonymous said...

yes, if something happens to the mansion the investors names responsible might be made public.

Anonymous said...

ASTORIA LOVES THAT MANSION AND WE MISS THOSE CHIRSTMAS PARTIES MIKE AND OUR HISTORICAL SOCIETY USED TO THROW - NOW ITS FIXED WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO START UP AGAIN?

Anonymous said...

" It's up to them what they're going to do with THEIR property."

Uh-uh. It's landmarked.

Anonymous said...

Please get over this and get a life

Anonymous said...

"Please get over this and get a life"

Sorry guys, its one thing to make money and that is fine. People may disagree with how it went down, but the community kept its mouth shut when anywhere else with a bit of pride would have screamed holy hell.

What happened there is the fault squarely of the Astoria community not the developers ... or their backers for that matter.

But when you get involved in a high publicity place like this it just ain't gonna go away. Everyone is watching you and taking photos and pretty well knows who is who and what is what. There are cameras everywhere up there.

Its the silent partners that got the front guys on the firing line and the fight the developers have, with anyone, are with the guys that set them up with a hot potato.

Again, as someone suggested politely, take the money. Go home. No bad feelings. No one has quarrels with you. Its not your fight. Who knows? You may earn respect, become big heroes if they put a big plaque in there with your names thanking you for making it nice. Win. Win.

Turn the place over to those who deserve it and whose only wish is to do good with it. It's time.

Anonymous said...

Time for the developers to move on. The communty will not let up until they do. Why do you think they got after the architect? Who is next? Maybe its time for the 'silent' partners to step in.