Virtually untouched 1840 home threatened by development. On July 26, 2005, Landmarks held a public hearing on the proposed designation of the Drake-DeHart House, a Greek Revival wood-framed house located at 134 Main Street in the Tottenville section of Staten Island. The Drake-DeHart house, constructed in 1840, features small rectangular windows at the attic level and a somewhat over-scaled main entrance-way with pilaster-flanked sidelights and a detailed entablature, characteristics of the vernacular version of the Greek Revival style. The house is one of few survivors of the gradual commercialization that has spread eastward along Main Street from the waterfront dock and train station.

At the hearing, preservationists praised Landmarks for its commitment to Tottenville, a neighborhood under extreme development pressure. Preservationists urged a quick designation, noting that owners had listed the house for sale, leaving it vulnerable to complete destruction since it is dramatically under-built compared to the site’s as-of-right zoning.

Landmarks Chair Robert Tierney closed the public hearing. No date was set for a vote on its designation.

LPC: Drake-DeHart House, 134 Main Street (LP-2181) (July 26, 2005).

CITYLAND Comment: Realtors currently list the Drake-DeHart House for $650,000, noting its huge development potential.