Author: Scott Henson

Olmsted’s Staten Island Home in State of Disrepair

Olmsted’s Staten Island Home in State of Disrepair

On Staten Island sits an important house in a dreadful state of disrepair. Described by the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission as "a distinguished residence," the former home of Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmstead was declared a landmark in 1967. Alternately known as the Olmsted-Beil House or the Poillon House, this structure is the final remnant of the original 125-acre...

Breathing Life Back Into Your Historic Building Envelope

Breathing Life Back Into Your Historic Building Envelope

New York City's Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP), formally known as Local Law 11, requires the facades of buildings of six or more stories to be inspected for safety every five years. This measure was a replacement for Local Law 10, originally enacted in the late 1990’s, which required inspections of only the front side of buildings. The latest inspection...

NYC Tax Photos Online Provide Insight in Architectural Development

Tax Photos give Insight in Architectural Development

For the historic building enthusiast, New York City offers timeless architecture and a sense of nostalgia. The preservation of these historical buildings provides a small glimpse of what New York City looked like in the early 20th century using tax photos. Starting in 1939, a group of photographers spread themselves throughout all five boroughs to undertake a project organized by the...