Casa Belvedere
Louis A. and Laura Stirn House | |
New York City Landmark No. 2069
| |
| Location | 79 Howard Avenue, Grymes Hill, Staten Island, New York |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°37′42″N 74°05′18″W / 40.62833°N 74.08833°W |
| Area | 2.75 acres (1.11 ha) |
| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | Kafka & Lindermeyr |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance, Arts and Crafts |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000899[1] |
| NYCL No. | 2069 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 12, 2010 |
| Designated NYCL | January 30, 2001 |
Casa Belvedere is a cultural center devoted to Italian studies, located at 79 Howard Avenue, Grymes Hill, Staten Island, New York City. The mansion was constructed in 1908, and is an Italian Renaissance style building with Arts and Crafts detailing. It is a 2+1⁄2-story, stuccoed masonry structure with a 2+1⁄2-story service wing and attached conservatory. It features an overhanging clay tile hipped roof with bracketed eaves and a portico with Ionic order columns and Doric order corner piers. Also on the property is a contributing former garage.[2]: 5, 9
Over the years it housed a number of different families, including for several years being the official residence of the President of Wagner College. It was declared a New York City Landmark in 2006 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 as the Louis A. and Laura Stirn House.[1] In 2008 it was purchased by Gina Biancardi and Luciano Rammairone.
In 2010, Gina founded The Italian Cultural Foundation and donated the mansion to the nonprofit to ensure its preservation and continued relevance. Thus, Casa Belvedere—“House with a Beautiful View”—was born. The transformation from private home to public institution required a multi-million-dollar rehabilitation journey over a 15-year period, fueled by fundraising and grant support, including the prestigious Save America’s Treasures award from the National Park Service. The restoration addressed:
- Structural reinforcements to prevent further decay
- Modernized infrastructure to support a fully operational cultural center
- Fire and safety compliance for public use
- ADA accessibility to welcome all visitors
- Historic preservation efforts to honor the mansion’s original integrity.
What began as a crumbling relic on the verge of collapse has been meticulously rebuilt and reimagined. Today, Casa Belvedere stands as a cultural beacon, where shared experiences, cherished traditions, and a profound sense of belonging flourish. In this role, the Italian Cultural Foundation hosts Italian language classes for both adults and children, Italian music and cinema events, wine tastings, lectures, films, cooking lessons, book signings, an annual Italian festival with displays of Italian-made motor vehicles (e.g. Alfa Romeo, Lamborghini, and Vespa), and art exhibits, all with an Italian orientation.[2]: 16
References
- ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Listings" (PDF). Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 1/18/11 through 1/21/11. National Park Service. January 28, 2011. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012.
- ^ a b "Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on July 1, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015. Note: This includes Kathy Howe (July 2010). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Louis A. and Laura Stirn House" (PDF). Retrieved December 1, 2015. See also: "Accompanying photos".
External links