The Addisleigh Park historic district is a suburban-type enclave in southeast Queens with a rich and distinctive history. The neighborhood of approximately 650 homes was largely developed in the 1930’s as part of the pre-World War II building boom that shaped large swaths of eastern Queens. Architecturally, the buildings are remarkably intact with few examples of inappropriate alterations or teardowns. Built when race-restricted covenants dictated the segregation of the city’s neighborhoods, Addisleigh Park eventually transformed from an exclusively white neighborhood into one of New York City’s premier African-American enclaves by the early 1950’s. The area would eventually become home to notables such as Count Basie, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Illinois Jacquet, Jackie Robinson, James Brown, Joe Louis, Milt Hinton, Roy Campanella, Percy Sutton, Cootie Williams and many others. Designated February 1,2011
In 2006, HDC, in partnership with the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, launched a project to document the architectural and social significance of Addisleigh Park. The project included a survey of the core area of architectural significance and documentation of the development of the neighborhood.
We were aided in our work with grants from the Preservation League of New York State, the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
We would like to thank all our partners in this effort who helped the Addisleigh Park Historic District become reality, including the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, historians Jane Cowan and Maxine Gordon, Councilmember Leroy Comrie, the residents of Addisleigh Park, and of course the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Preservation Activity
Addisleigh Park Historic District
Addisleigh Park Historic District, Queens, NY, USASTATUS: Designated Historic District