Scarsdale 10583

The same week that preservationist made their report on proposed historic properties in Scarsdale, The Historic Preservation Committee of Scarsdale met to consider whether to preserve or permit the demolition of a list of local properties. Following the April 17 meeting, the Board cleared the way for the demolition of the following homes:

• 10 Ogden Road
• 9 Stonehouse Road
• 16 Cambridge Road
• 50 Brookby Road

They held over a decision on 9 Hamilton Road, (pictured at top) a home that was listed as a candidate for landmark designation status in the report. The house was built in in 1921 and originally owned by Ida F. Ruggiero. Why is it remarkable? According to the report, “Although relatively small in scale, 9 Hamilton Road is a picturesque and whimsical example of Mediterranean-inspired residential design with its stuccoed façade, Spanish-tile roof, and arched loggia. The massing is especially well conceived as different masses, each clad in Spanish tile, build up to a hip-roof tower-like level.”

Another home, 50 Brookby Road could not be saved, despite the sentiments of residents who live on the street. The current home on the site was sold in August, 2011 for $1,225,000 and developers are already advertising a rendering of a large colonial to replace it at, $3,675,000.

50 Brookby Will Be Torn Down

Here are excerpts from Munghia's comments about preserving 50 Brookby Road:

• Many of the older homes on Brookby and Quentin, including 50 and 54 Brookby Road, constitute a neighborhood representative of the earliest suburban development in Scarsdale.
• Both the Scarsdale Housing Committee and the Federal Housing Commission welcomed the new development of affordable housing to be built by Brookby, Inc. in what is now our neighborhood on Brookby Road and the surrounding streets. It is my belief based on documents at the Building Department and this article that 54 Brookby Road was the model home that visitors were encouraged to examine during the course of its building in 1935.
• This application is the first step in a larger plan by the current owners. Their application to demolish two lovely older homes which embody the
  

  A Rendering of a Proposed New Home at 50 Brookby Road
  history and architecture of our neighborhood is an effort to redraw the property lines and build three new houses where there are now two.
• The criteria articulated in Sections 182-5 of the Village Code are guidelines for determining the historical significance of a building. I maintain that the collective history of the buildings surrounding the building in question should be considered by the Committee as well. Our homes are the realization of a New Deal initiative—providing affordable homes to a nation of struggling young families in the newly built suburban developments throughout the country.

Overriding her objections, the Board voted to permit demolition of 50 Brookby Road. While Scarsdale Village Trustees mull over what can be done with the preservationists recommendations, and what code changes, if any, will be made, houses continue to disappear at a rapid pace.

54 Brookby Road  On the Market for $1,450,000

Comments (7)

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written by durland, April 30, 2012

i grew up at 54 brookby road. it was the perfect, reasonably sized home for our family of 5 plus dog. my parents maintained the property, both inside and out, meticulously. 4 spacious bedrooms, 2.5 bath, large, sunny large rooms on the first floor, 2 car garage. a full walk up attic and semi-finished basement. how much space do 21st century families require? slate roof, quality building, and wood paneled basement. but i suppose with a nearly $4 million dollar home to be built next door, my old home at 54 brookby will look silly and slight in comparison...

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written by The Oracle, April 27, 2012

The only good thing to come out of these McMansion monstrosity replacements is that the property taxes on these properties will skyrocket and thus diminish the rate of increase of property tax for the rest of us. None of these houses that are being demolished are truly historic to the same degree as One Duck Pond (destroyed) and the Marx mansion. Those are the two most egregious examples of the failure of our historic preservation law which must be upgraded asap.

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written by puzzled, April 26, 2012

Has anyone who sits on the board read or seen the Lorax lately? Building larger homes or two homes on one "oversized" lot is a strain on our environment and only adds to the already problematic water issues we have in Scarsdale. Our "village in the park" appears to be very money hungry and irresponsible as its trustees continue to ignore these issues in favor of collecting more taxes. It just doesn't make sense.

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written by unhappy, April 26, 2012

My bridal shower was held in this home. Sad to see it go.

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written by almostouttahere, April 26, 2012

Big mistake! Scarsdale will raise your taxes to unbelievable levels so you won't get your money out of it.

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written by Disappointed, April 25, 2012

This is about tearing down older homes with character and lower taxes to building larger, characterless homes with much higher taxes. How else does one keep up the ponzi scheme. It's happening everywhere. Those that are opposing these noxious events are being shouted down by those that believe bigger is better. We are traveling down a terrible road with no end in sight to this madness. God help us!

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written by The Oracle, April 24, 2012

Ironic that these houses now worth about $1.5 million each for their land value alone were New Deal models of affordable housing.

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