Designated – December 13, 2016
Designation overturned by City Council- March 28, 2017
The Lakeman-Cortelyu House is an extraordinary survivor from Staten Island’s early days, and one of the borough’s oldest houses. Its Dutch Colonial form was recently revealed after an extensive restoration. The historic farmhouse has two parts: a small one-story wing to the east and the larger two-story wing, which is probably the earlier structure. The restoration brought back the building’s residential character with the installation of historically appropriate roofs and the unveiling of its striking, irregularly-shaped fieldstone walls. The building is surprisingly large for the period, probably dating to before 1700, and its ownership history is well documented, lending an added layer of integrity. The house provides a link to a very distant past, which is a remarkable gift to New York City.
*image courtesy of the Landmarks Preservation Commission