Saturday, January 21, 2012

Celebrating Rickert-Finlay


From Douglaston Patch:

Those who live in Douglas Manor have likely heard the names Rickert-Finlay many times before.

But anyone who doesn't call the peninsula formerly know as Little Neck home will likely be unfamiliar with the work of the Manhattan-based real estate developer that forever changed the landscape of northeast Queens.

Still, just driving around the meandering country roads of Douglaston, which trace the natural contours of the area, it's hard not to appreciate the forethought of Rickert Finlay and Company, the oft-overlooked planners of the Manor.

That's because in an era long before New York City zoning laws, the forward thinking Manhattan-based real estate development company had the foresight to purchase the 175-acre peninsula from William Douglas's estate and develop it in such a way to ensure that each plot sold would carry with it a set of restrictive covenants in perpetuity.

And in doing so, they ultimately preserved the architectural aesthetic of Douglaston's suburban transition in the early 1900s. Today it is a vital study of early 20th century architecture.

5 comments:

Jerry Rotondi said...

Broadway-Flushing
is also a fine, quality, planned,
Rickert-Finlay neighborhood-- consisting of lush tree lined streets with unique architecture.

It's the veritable sister nabe of Douglas Manor.

But while The Manor enjoys municipal landmark status, the LPC hasn't calendered Broadway Flushing for a hearing yet.

Why is that?

It's certainly deserving of LPC historic district status.

Broadway-Flushing has already attained both state and federal historic district status.

What are your thought on this Councilman Halloran?

Anonymous said...

"What are your thought on this Councilman Halloran?"

Dan is busy spying on sanitation workers to make sure they're not loafing around during the snow storm.

Anonymous said...

Dan is too busy subverting the district with his libertarian tea party (anti landmark) agenda!

"Government is too big and shouldn't interfere with an individual's rights".

Yeah, right...
as big as his beer belly?

I wonder if he'll turn his coat inside out and run as a Democrat to support his buddy Peter Koo?

Steve Behar said...

Broadway-Flushing should be landmarked before it is destroyed.

Anonymous said...

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2jg34ly&s=6



http://oi46.tinypic.com/fo429c.jpg