Virginia Spaventa's Staten Island Real Estate Blog: WELCOME TO SOUTH BEACH

Virginia Spaventa's Staten Island Real Estate Blog: WELCOME TO SOUTH BEACH: "The South Beach neighborhood of Staten Island may lack the glamour and bravado of its famous namesake in Florid..."

WELCOME TO SOUTH BEACH

The South Beach neighborhood of Staten Island may lack the glamour and bravado of its famous namesake in Florida, but in both places, it is safe to see the beach as the primary attraction

The area has come a long way in 20 years. Back in the ’90s it faced serious problems. Even the now-popular boardwalk was overgrown, frequently a target for arson and a favorite spot for drug dealers. It was about 10 years ago that developers stepped in, replacing much of the housing stock of small bungalows with two-family colonials or town houses. The city also pitched in to clean up the beach; since 1995, it has spent $20 million on the boardwalk.
These days the area is crowded with families, much as it was in the early part of the last century, when the neighborhood was a popular resort destination for city dwellers and other fun seekers. (In 1906, for example, 30,000 people flocked to the opening of Happyland Amusement Park.)
The changes in the later ’90s caused home prices to jump. Yet South Beach today remains largely undiscovered. It’s possible to get a lot of house for your money and still be in a quality neighborhood.
It’s the quality of the neighborhood that most concerns Joseph McAllister, who helped create the South Beach Civic Association in 2001 to push back against the newly abundant development. The spate of town houses in particular introduced a glut of cars to the narrow streets. His group has had some success, as new zoning regulations have gone into effect. His group and others in the community have also been successful in stopping Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s plan to close Engine Company 161, the area’s fire station.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND:
Like many neighborhoods on Staten Island, South Beach has somewhat amorphous boundaries. It is generally said to stretch from Lily Pond Avenue on the northeast, to Lower New York Bay on the southeast. Quintard Street is the southwestern boundary; McClean and Major Avenues are the other major lines of demarcation.
A few more than 8,000 people call South Beach home.
Were it not for the numerous Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses passing through, visitors could be forgiven for thinking they were outside of New York City. The neighborhood slopes up from the bay, and various roads wind up and around the emerging hill.
Two distinct housing options predominate: the remaining single-family bungalows and the new town houses and semidetached colonials. Most of the newer homes add bulk and height to the neighborhood, but also a different feel — less summer hideaway, more permanent playground.
Despite all of the development in the past decade, the area has managed to avoid many of the usual trappings of gentrification; it has maintained a decidedly working- and middle-class aura. The nearest Starbucks, it might be noted, is in Brooklyn.

WHAT TO DO
Without question the beach is the main draw. The 1.7-mile-long boardwalk is ideal for joggers or for catching a sunrise. The South Fin Grill, which opened in 2005 on the boardwalk, is a popular dining option; for dessert, there is the nearby Ben & Jerry’s. Fishermen, meanwhile, toss their bait into the bay from the 835-foot-long Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier.
Although there are some shops on Sand Avenue, the neighborhood doesn’t have much retailing. Shopping is a short drive away, along Hylan Boulevard.
The Basilio Inn Restaurant, off Lily Pond Road in South Beach, opened in 1921 and lays claim to being the oldest restaurant in the borough.
Just to the north of the neighborhood, partially under the bridge, is the 18th-century Fort Wadsworth, a military base that opened its gates to the public in 1997. “If you go there, bring your walking shoes,You’re going to want to be there for a while.

THE COMMUTE
Many residents take the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to Brooklyn or Midtown Manhattan. The drive to Midtown can take from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Several express buses serve the area, too, including an X6, which generally takes 40 minutes or more to arrive in Midtown during rush hour. The S51 and S52 take residents to the Staten Island Ferry.
THE HISTORY
The area now known as South Beach was the site of the first permanent settlement on Staten Island. The settlement started in the early 1660s and was known as Oude Dorp — Old Town in Dutch. The site was appreciated because of its flat land, which allowed for farming and grazing, and because a creek allowed easy access to the bay.

JUST LISTED:
IMMACULATE-MAINTENANCE FREE-2 BEDROOMS PLUS TOWNHOUSE.
DESIGNER KITCHEN-STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES-NEW BATHROOMS-NEW DOORS-HARD WOOD FLOORS-3 ZONE HEAT-1 CAR GARAGE CONVERTED TO BEDROOM, CAN EASILY BE CONVERTED BACK TO GARAGE. FAMILY ROOM,2 BATHS-ATTIC STORAGE- YARD. MUST SEE!! $349,000.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
VIRGINIA A. SPAVENTA @ 917-952-3103
ROBERT DEFALCO REALTY
"WHEN GETTING IT SOLD IS ALL THAT MATTERS!"
"A WINNING COMBINATION."

Virginia Spaventa's Staten Island Real Estate Blog: WELCOME TO SHORE ACRES

Virginia Spaventa's Staten Island Real Estate Blog: WELCOME TO SHORE ACRES: "WELCOME TO SHORE ACRES, STATEN ISLAND MANHATTAN STYLE LIVING WITH STATEN ISLAND PRICING! 20 Cliff Street is 1 block from Ba..."

WELCOME TO DONGAN HILLS COLONY

WELCOME TO DONGAN HILLS COLONY

The colony is located above Richmond Road and borders Todt Hill.

The "hills" alluded to in the name are actually the eastern ridge of Todt Hill.

There is a section of Dongan Hills that actually contain large hills. This portion of the neighborhood is called the Dongan Hills Colony.

Driving through Dongan Hills Colony you will find older and newer homes mixed in on its hilly tree lined blocks. Million dollar homes adorn many of these blocks.
Shopping and transportation is close by on Richmond Road. There is the Dongan Hill Library, and it is home to the FDNY Engine Company 159 and Satellite 5.

Dongan Hills was one of the first neighboods to witness a upsurge in home construction after World War ll, as many small one family homes were built there during the 1950s. The city also built a public housing project in the community known as the General Berry Houses. Population growth accelerated in the area when the Verranzano Bridge was opened in November 1964.

Recent arrivals from Brooklyn have overwhelmed the descendents of the original

residents, and now form a majority of the neighborhood's population.

It is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods on Staten Island .

"JUST LISTED"

In the heart of Dongan Hills Colony this 2,355 sq. ft. 2 Family Detached home sits on a dead-end tree-lined street. The 2nd. floor boasts 3 large bedrooms, Master Bedroom has private .5 bath, and a full shared bath. Livingroom,Diningroom, Eat-in Kitchen. Finished Attic for storage.

Basement is fully finished with a large rec/family room 3/4 bath, laundry and utility room.

Apartment located on the 1st. floor has a private side entrance, large livingroom, Eat-in Kitchen,Diningroom, Bedroom and a Full bath.

2 Car Garage, Security System, Fireplace, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Washer/Dryer.

A must see !

CONTACT: VIRGINIA A. SPAVENTA @ 917-952-3103

ROBERT DEFALCO REALTY

1678 Hylan Blvd. 10306

718-987-7900 EXT. 320

"WHEN GETTING IT SOLD IS ALL THAT MATTERS!"

"A WINNING COMBINATION!"

WELCOME TO SHORE ACRES

WELCOME TO SHORE ACRES, STATEN ISLAND

MANHATTAN STYLE LIVING WITH STATEN ISLAND PRICING!

20 Cliff Street is 1 block from Bay Street and dead ends at the end of the co-op property. It is situated 100 feet from the Narrows of the Upper New York Bay.

Cliff Street is on the border of the "towns" of Rosebank and Shore Acres/Fort Wadsworth. It is conveniently located within 2 blocks of a deli, dry cleaners, barber, hair dresser, pizzeria, 2 restaurant-bars, and a service statiion. Within a mile is a major supermarket, hardware store, CVS drug store, post office, NYC Fire Dept. , and 3 churches.

Sea Cliff Towers is about a 5 minute drive to the Verrazano Bridge or the Staten Island Expressway. It is a 4 mile, 15-minute bus ride (S-51) to the Staten Island Ferry for a 25 minute cruise to Manhattan. Express buses to Lower Manhattan and Mid Manhattan are available within a 1-6 block walk from Cliff Street.

The upper floors of Sea Cliff Towers from the Shore Acres side offers views of the fine homes in Shore Acres, the Bridge, the Narrows, Bay Ridge and Coney Island,Brooklyn.

It is an elevated high-rise building with an Intercom/Buzzer system. There is 10 security TV closed circuit cameras that cover the outer lobby, parking lots and adjacent street, and also the path at the rear of the building.

For recreation, there is a resort style swimming pool open to residents during the summer months 6-7 days per week with a lifeguard present. Shower/Restrooms are provided adjacent to pool deck and party room.

The recreation room holds parties and meetings. It is equipped with a kitchen, bar and tables.A 300 sq. ft. health room is provided and residents may place exercise equipment for their own use and others' use. There is also a Laundry room located on the 2nd. floor.

The view from the pool area is magnificent.

JUST LISTED 9TH FLOOR 1 BEDROOM CO-OP THAT OFFERS A 36' PRIVATE TERRACE. Seasonal views of the Narrows, the bridge and Brooklyn.

Move right into this updated 733 sq.ft. with all the ameneties mentioned above.

Maintenance fee includes gas, hot water, taxes, pool, outside maintanence,sewer and snow removal.

$199,900.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
VIRGINIA A. SPAVENTA @ 917-952-3103

ROBERT DEFALCO REALTY

"WHEN GETTING IT SOLD IS ALL THAT MATTERS!"

"A WINNING COMBINATION!"

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

"The images of that terrible morning I think are still fresh in all our minds. And the sense of the absence of so many loved ones is as real today as it has been. But if anything it's testament to how much they meant to all of us, and how cruelly and suddenly they were taken from us"

-Mayor Michael Bloomberg