Ali Beqaj
Ali Beqaj
Ali BeqajJustin Zizes Jr. 
I once read a column in the NY Herald Tribune by Jimmy Breslin. 1967 or so. I still think of it every time I see someone pull this the kind of crap anywhere.
Breslin said:
Yesterday was one of the worst days for anybody who likes what makes up a city. At 2 PM a man in the Buildings Dept. issued a permit to the Wrecking Corp of America. Within an hour, workers were all over the 84 year old Metroplitan Opera House. They were punching holes into the roof and walls of the building. The orders are that the old Met has to come down quickly. People have been trying to save the building and if you wreck the building the fight is over. And the firm which is leasing the land can not wait to inflict on the City a 40 story atrocity....
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Same thing here. That old house was always distinct on the Saltaire Bayfront. Totally different than the architecture of the other classic houses on the bay. But it fit in.
Just a "for instance:" Take a look at the shack in the lighthouse painting below. That hovel had more Island character than whatever McMansion goes up now at Bay Prom and Neptune Walk.
--JO'H
11 comments:
Wow! I knew the house had sold and there were rumors that it might be "gutted" but this is extreme and sad. Any chance a Saltaire architect will be involved with the design of the new structure?
That house was also so individualistic. I keep wondering what will happen next, but I suppose that turning all of those old cottages into McMansions is the logical step. I don't know whether I will ever be back in Saltaire, but I will always be interested in what happens there.
I heard the village had expressed a desire to move the house to village property but it could not be done in a "timely" manner to fit the new owner's schedule. What a shame it was a beautiful house.
Sad to see the house go. But, does the VoS really need ANOTHER house they can't care for!?
Fact Check- It wasn't an issue of timeliness. After consulting with contractors and engineers,
the Village determined that the overall cost of any relocation to suitable village owned property would be prohibitive.
In my day this was the "Hilton" house, a kind elderly couple that would treat Saltaire kids to picnics on the beach. After that it was owned for many years by Rudy and Carol De Harak, Rudy was a very talented designer (e.g. the Egyptian exhibit at the Met. Museum of Art), avid surfcaster and Carol had a gentle heart. When people depart Saltaire or pass on to those distant green shores something of their spirit remains in the homes they once occupied. But now the Hilton's, Rudy and Carol are gone from the village forever.
The Plans are for the new house to have pool. That will certainly change the neighborhood. Also the pool design is really not quite within the village code of the required amount of lots needed- for some reason the village is letting this one slip by.
Voice your concerns NOW
Fact Check- The Village Code regulates the construction of a pool on a minimum lot sq footage NOT on a min # of lots= see Village Code Ch 55.
Fact Check- The Village Code regulates the construction of pools based on lot sq footage NOT on number of lots. See Code Chapter 55
Maura Corrigan McCurdy
The Village of Saltaire needs to create an architectural review board to put some limits on the size and character of new houses, especially on the Bayfront. Otherwise, new homeowners will tear down traditional and smaller homes and built huge houses that are not in character with the village.
The Village of Saltaire needs to create some type of architectural review board to put restraints on the size and character of new homes. Otherwise all the older homes will be torn down and replaced with monstrosities. Perhaps, certain areas, such as the Bayfront can get some sort of historical designation which would preserve it.
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