Blast From the Past - Sand Lane Arcade

Approx. 25 Yrs Ago Steve Zaffarano/Staten Island Advance


Approx. 23 Yrs Later Photo by iamduckydale on Flickr

I want to pay homage to the once standing and thriving Sand Lane Arcade center that closed down in the summer of 2006. This establishment of pure innocence and fun was around for 66 great years, and went out on top. As they say "all great things must come to an end". From my grandparents, to my parents, and even me, we were all lucky enough to experience the hot summer nights in South Beach, at the Sand Lane Arcade, acting as giddy little kids from the sight of the bright illuminating lights coming from the arcade machines. Filled with timeless games such as skee-ball, pinball, Dance Dance Revolution (timeless for my generation :), ka-klunk and all sorts of video games, it was a kids haven. It was our own little Coney Island and South Beach was the hotspot for Staten Island residents. Great memories and I want it back...Who remembers coming here?

Summer Already Over for Staten Island Arcade [NY Times]
LIFE IS A BEACH... [Daily News]
Return South Beach to the good old days [SILIVE]

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Don't Miss the Boat, Get It While It's Available - Tax Abatement

Photo by Grayman ! on Flickr

I've posted this picture for the mere fact that it's just pretty neat...it's definitely eye catching and is worthy of a blog post, plus it has some real estate relevance. Just don't get too spooked out and leave the page hastily because I have some important and valuable information coming up.

If you guys haven't already heard, new construction that is eligible for the eight year 421b real estate tax abatement benefits and the $7,500 federal tax credit for income-eligible first-time home buyers will only be available until June 30th 2009. Yes, the market is down and out but these incentives should revive you from the depths of your inner most qualms. What you're probably unaware of and I'm going to let you in on some industry secrets, it's unlikely that there are more than 100 homes on Staten Island that still qualify for 421b tax abatement. Among them are Opal Ridge, Maguire Woods, Sailor's Key and Petersons Lane. If any of my fellow readers know of any other developments that qualify for tax abatement please email me the listings or place a link in the comments section below, so SIREN can let the public know.

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Staten Island Landmark - W. S. Pendleton House

Photo from wallyg's Flickr photostream.

When I first saw this house on Flickr it reminded me of a Hansel and Gretel-esque type gingerbread house. Although I wouldn't recommend eating this house, despite how delicious it looks, since it is in fact a Staten Island Landmark built in 1855 by William S. Pendleton, a prominent business man who established the first commercially successful lithograph firm in the U.S. W.S. Pendleton wore many hats, serving as president of the North Shore Ferry Company and in addition to 22 Pendleton Place, built six other homes on the North Shore.

I think this house has a lot of personality and individuality, so anyone interested in the Gothic Revival movement and Victorian architectural styles would really appreciate, what I consider a work of art.


Situated on irregularly shaped high grounds overlooking Kill Van Kull, a prominent tower dominates the two-and-half story residence, a survivor of Victorian Romanticism. A gabled vestibule doorway, adorned with scalloped scroll work bargeboards, projects forward from the south elevation. Diamond shaped glass is used in all the various shaped windows. On the side of the house are two one-story extensions and a greenhouse of a later period. The steeply pitched gable roofs are covered with diamond shaped shingles as is the pyramidal shaped roof surmounting the tower. — by wallyg in NYC-Staten Island-New Brighton: W. S. Pendleton House Flickr post


Preserve Staten Island [pdf]

Hansel & Gretel Photo Gallery

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