Action Alert No. 2: Letter of Concerned Citizens Re: The Fate of the Abraham Manee Homestead

To All of Our Members and Concerned Preservationists:

We will be sending out frequent Preservation Action Alerts for structures that are deemed to be in danger of demolition /alteration.

Preservation Action Alert No 2:   Letter of Concerned Citizens Re: The Fate of the Abraham Manee Homestead:

Neighborhood: Princes Bay
Building use type: Single Family
Condition: Poor
Architect/Builder: Year built: 1670s0/1820
Style: Dutch Colonial
Predominant materials: Stone
NYC Designation Status: Landmark
National Designation Status:
Lot width: 144
Lot depth: 168
Building width: 30
Building depth: 25
Zoning: R3-2


The Manee-Seguine Homestead is named for its early 18th century owner, Abraham Manee, and for the Seguine Family that bought the property in the 1780s. According to the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s designation report, the history of the house may extend back to the construction of a one-room dwelling by Paulus Regrenier in the late 17th century. Its complex building history includes a rubble-stone addition in the early 18th century and other additions in the 19th century.

Located on Prince’s Bay near the southern tip of Staten Island, in a waterfront community. Across the street from it is a small marina, as well as the elegant Seguine House, an 1837 Greek Revival mansion. This context, however, is rapidly changing as newly-constructed townhouses are being built on any available vacant land.

The origins of this house extend back to the construction of a one-room dwelling in the late 17th century. A major rubble stone addition was completed early in the 18th century by Abraham Manee. Subsequent additions in the early 19th century were made by the Seguine family, a prominent and influential group on Staten Island.

This City landmark, which is privately-owned, fell into disrepair over the past decade. On 10/28/03, its owners received the approval of the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to build four townhouses on the site, thereby generating sufficient funds to restore the landmark to suitable standards. The LPC granted the applicants a Certificate of Appropriateness, approving the proposal. This project has been delayed by litigation over a contract dispute which has recently been resolved. 
 
The Landmarks Conservancy is hopeful that the Manee-Seguine Homestead will soon be saved and can be removed from the endangered buildings watch list.


We need your help in sending Letters to the Landmarks Preservation Commission of NYC (LPC). Letters should be emailed to 

rtierney@lpc.nyc.gov 

or mailed to 

Mailing address:
Robert Tierney
Landmarks Preservation Commission
Municipal Building
1 Centre Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10007

Preservation Action Alert No 2: Letter of Concerned Citizens Re: The Fate of the Abraham Manee Homestead

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