Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Landmarks Preservation Commission Designation Hearing
February 24, 2004

H.H. Richardson House
45 McClean Street (aka 104 Duer Street)
Staten Island

The Historic Districts Council is the advocate for New York City’s designated historic districts and its neighborhoods and structures that merit preservation.

We strongly urge the Commission to designate the H.H. Richardson House; to not do so would be a dereliction of its duty under the Landmarks Law and would quite likely produce an international outcry. Only rarely does the Commission have an opportunity to decide the fate of a structure with the historical and architectural resonance of the house that Richardson designed for his family in 1868. Richardson’s place in architectural history –for his buildings themselves and for his enduring influence - is well known and undisputed. A poll conducted by the American Architect and Building News in 1885 produced a list of the top ten buildings in America – five of which were by Richardson. While his house in Arrochar understandably did not make it onto this list, the structure’s position as both one of his earliest extant works and his own home, makes its continued preservation imperative.

Looking at the house today, we do not see Richardson’s signature, even while knowing it was drawn by his hand. This would be true even if the house were unaltered since its completion in 1869. Early works by many of the world’s most important artists are derivative of contemporary stylistic trends. On Staten Island, we see Richardson adopting what he learned as a student in France to the vernacular styles of the United States and the suburban landscape of Staten Island. Early works such as this allow later observers, including everyone here today, to gain an understanding of the full spectrum that represents an artist’s body of work– to appreciate the collision and intermingling of influence and inspiration. Richardson’s singular later achievements are directly linked to the more modest work he produced here in New York.

The only argument that we can see against designating this house is that it has been dramatically altered from its original condition. While this is clearly true, what is even more amazing to us is how much actually remains. Comparisons between early photos and today’s building could suggest to some that the building’s original appearance and design intent have been largely erased. HDC suggests that this is not the case. Though the original Stick Style cladding is gone– and it must be remembered that this was always ephemeral – the overall form of the original house remains. Later additions – such as the enclosure of the open porch – are clearly distinguishable and could potentially be removed. Many original features remain, including the French-inspired mansard roof, the chimneys, dormers, and cresting at the roof, and the secondary mansard roofs at the former entry porch and at various projecting bays. HDC sees a critically important building waiting to be restored – someday, if not today - rather than a site rife with development potential.

Many on Staten Island recognize the Richardson House as a landmark - as the “old house with the red roof on the corner”. Everyone in this room knows that “the old house on the corner” is not necessarily worthy of designation – even when it is considered a local “landmark”. The Richardson House is not any old house on the corner. We urge the Commission to look beyond the current condition of the house; to feel its bones, hear its historic resonance, and recognize its potential to be brought back. HDC hopes the Commission will vote to designate the H.H. Richardson house as an individual landmark and allow Richardson’s story to remain a part of New York’s story, as it is of New Orleans’, Paris’, and Boston’s.