New Staten Island Courthouse Coming Soon!

For years, Staten Island has taken steps to update many of the areas around the borough that are old and run down. We've spent millions to renovate buildings, beautify parks and public spaces and improve the overall aesthetic of the island. The private sector has even gotten involved with the conversion of old warehouses by the water into the upscale co-ops known as Bay Street Landing. The ferry terminal and the immediate areas around the ferry terminal were prime targets for these updates and renovations and for good reason. These are the areas that many people see first when they come to Staten Island via the ferry. Their first thoughts and impressions of Staten Island are molded by what they see immediately after getting off of the ferry.

The building of a brand new courthouse down on Bay Street was the next step in improving that area even further. A massive new courthouse that will house supreme courts, civil courts and criminal courts will be the focus of construction over the next 3 years. Located in the St. George area of Staten Island not far from the ferry terminal, the new building will cost the city approximately $220 million and will be the borough's largest capital investment for a building ever. The new courthouse promises to be environmentally friendly too, with solar panels and green roofs.

Staten Island continues to spend capital on ensuring a modern and aesthetically pleasing look in the hopes of changing the perception of the island. For years, Staten Island was the dump of the 5 boroughs, both literally and figuratively, and the steps that we've taken to reverse that stigma are both tremendous and plentiful. As long as capital spending on this borough doesn't come to a halt, given time, Staten Island could see itself prosper into an even more beautiful place to live in and visit. - By special guest blogger Adam Steinhandler

Staten Island Officials Break Ground On New Courthouse [NY1]

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Even Brooklynites LOVE Staten Island!

Photo by *One* on Flickr (View in St. George)

I came across this forum post on the Brownstoner the other day about a Brooklynite moving to the St George area of Staten Island. The positive comments from both Brooklyn and Staten Island residents was a breath of fresh air and I'm glad to see that Staten Island has been getting the respect it deserves. People fear what they don't know, but as you can see Brooklynites are starting to accept and love Staten Island as well. I genuinely believe Staten Island will have it's moment of glory, and I hope through my blog I can help revitalize the perception of this historical island.

My allergies are acting up right now and my head feels like a ton of bricks, so I'll make this short and sweet. Gentrification in the St. George and surrounding areas have been prevalent over the past few years, making headlines in big blog and media sites such as the NY Times, Curbed, Gothamist, NY Observer and The Real Deal. I don't care for labels that much, but they are calling it "Williamsburg II". With an abundance of affordable homes, BEAUTIFUL Victorian homes, the exclusive Bay Street Landing development, a thriving artist community (you can always see hot local bands at Martini Red or national acts at the St. George Theatre), great restaurants, Richmond County Bank Ballpark...home to the SI Yankees, Borough Hall, the exquisite Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, you really can't go wrong if you choose to live here. Apparently this post wasn't short, but it certainly was sweet!

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Neighborhood Spotlight - Grasmere

Mary DiBiase Blaich for The New York Times

Just by looking at the picture above, it feels as if you are looking at a serene setting in Pennsylvania or something. What you're actually seeing is one of New York City's unhidden gems, called Brady's Pond, located in Grasmere on the North Shore of Staten Island. When I was a little rug rat, I use to come here with my family sporting my cool little floaties as I swam around the fresh water pond. Grasmere is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Staten Island, which I'm going to breakdown for you right now. One of the most frustrating things about living in Staten Island is the commute to Manhattan. Unlike the rest of the boroughs and even some parts of New Jersey, Westchester and Long Island who all have their own public train stations/subways that run to Manhattan, Staten Island's only means of transportation into Manhattan are via express bus, ferry or car. I love living on Staten Island, but this is one of my biggest pet peeves about living here. Fortunately if you live in this area you're very close to the Verrazano Bridge that goes to Brooklyn and it's only a 10 minute ride on the Staten Island Railway to St. George, which is the closest stop to the ferry.

According to the NY Times, Grasmere's convenience has helped it endure the economic slowdown, and housing in this area is considered very stable. Although Grasmere's average home prices fell to $437,500 in the first half of 2008, compared to an average price of $505,800 in the first half of 2007, average days on the market remained relatively consistent. The neighborhood has always been one of the most prestigious communities on Staten Island, with the zone around Brady's Pond being particularly affluent. Houses in this area can go for more than $1 million.

How many of you guys actually new about this lovely pond on SI???

Living In Grasmere, Staten Island - Bucolic and Bustling, All at Once [NY Times]

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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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Jogging Discovery - The Club at Clove Lakes Park

As I’m taking my daily run on Clove Road, while listening to my blood stirring, energy pumping music mix, I end up passing by a banner advertising a new development called "The Club at Clove Lakes Park". This name intrigues me because it makes me think of a community for the elite. Still trying to keep the juices flowing as I'm jogging in place reading this advertisement, I tell myself why not pass by the welcome center to check out what this is all about. After all, if I like what I hear it will make for great content on my beloved blog.

One of the friendly sales reps named Michael gave me a run down of the project and showed me the welcome center. I come to find out that this is an upscale 24-unit age-exclusive project for active adults 55 and older. They brand themselves as “Staten Island’s Premier Over 55 Boutique Condominium”, which makes sense and goes along with my initial assumption based on just reading the name of the new development.

I think these guys really have something here because this is the first community on the north shore of Staten Island targeted towards this demographic. While this project is definitely aimed at the upscale market with a profusion of finishes, amenitites and services (lots of marble, granite, brand name appliances and fixtures, pools, fitness room, sauna, private rooms for all types of special events, library, game room, virtual concierge, etc.), it provides an alternative for Staten Islanders who no longer want to maintain their old homes, and just want to live peacefully and joyfully in their own little world. Michael said the offerring plans have recently been approved and all the amenties are finalized, so I'm interested to see what happens at this site.

I asked Michael, with absolutely no personal intentions in mind :) "what are the chances you guys will develop a community like this for people in their 30's and over?" He said, "hey, you never know...we make things happen". At this point my body has cooled down, since I spent more time than I would have liked talking to Michael...no offense Mike you were very kind, but I got to keep the groove going. I'll make it my duty to my fellow readers to follow the progress of The Club and any cool new stuff worth blogging about.

The Club at Clove Lakes Park [Official Website]

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