March 30, 2004

Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Before the Landmarks Preservation Commission

Re: The Designation of the Proposed St. Paul’s Avenue-Stapleton Heights Historic District, Staten Island

The Historic Districts Council has long advocated for a historic district in Stapleton. In fact, in Autumn 2003, HDC’s Board voted to make Stapleton one of our five “Historic District Priorities” and in February, it was featured on our Web site as a “Neighborhood at Risk”. We are therefore quite pleased that the Commission is considering this residential neighborhood for historic district designation.

Staten Island’s residential Stapleton neighborhood illustrates several major architectural styles of the Victorian era and embodies an important period in Staten Island and New York City’s history. During the 1870s, Stapleton emerged as the leading commercial center of Staten Island. Fresh springs encouraged development of breweries in the mid-1800s, owned mostly by German-Americans, and their commercial success enabled wealthy brewers and other businessmen to build a number of impressive, spectacularly sited houses overlooking the harbor.

In Stapleton Heights, beautiful houses on large, hilly lots face the harbor and the city beyond. Those lining St. Paul’s Avenue and adjacent streets serve as picturesque examples of a variety of 19th century architectural styles, including some of the best Queen Annes in the city. Originally known as Mud Lane, St. Paul’s Avenue today stands as a well preserved reminder of its builders’ intentions to a create pastoral retreat from the city.

While HDC fully supports the designation of the St. Paul’s Avenue-Stapleton Heights Historic District, we regret that Commission is not considering the Stapleton “Nook” for designation. This secluded portion of Stapleton contains an eclectic mix of 19th-century homes, most of which are in excellent condition. Highlights of the proposed district include a Greek Revival-style farmhouse at 92 Harrison Street, an early house at 704 Bay Street that may date to the 1830s, and an already-designated individual landmark at 710 Bay Street. Although some of the homes in the Nook are somewhat more modest than those in the Heights, the cohesive neighborhood tells another, no less important, portion of the story of the development of Stapleton and Staten Island.

HDC is particularly anxious that Stapleton Heights and the Stapleton Nook be designated in order to protect them from the tear-down phenomenon that is all-too-quickly eroding the borough’s character. Both districts recall a time when Staten Island was a favored site where professionals and successful businessmen built suburban retreats that offered something of a respite from the hustle and bustle of the urban scene. We feel that these two enclaves demonstrate the special architectural character and cultural significance that qualify for recognition as historic districts. We urge the Commission to designate the proposed St. Paul’s Avenue-Stapleton Heights Historic District and work towards extending the district to include the Stapleton Nook.

Lastly, HDC reminds the Commission that, if designated, the St. Paul’s Avenue-Stapleton Heights Historic District will only be the third historic district in the entire borough. We hope that the Commission will continue to focus on districts outside of Manhattan that are in grave need of protection.