Save the Castle, Staten Island’s Smith’s Infirmary
Save the Castle
The Samuel R. Smith Infirmary, the former Staten Island hospital has been vacant for more than twenty years. The Castle, specifically named the Frost Memorial Tower is a neo-medieval style building, a rare survivor from the 1890s. The Castle was named after George Frost, who donated the six acres to which Smith’s Infirmary was built at Castleton and Cebra Avenues. Previously, Dr. Smith’s residence on Hannah street, Tompkinsville treated the poor and sick. Many notable families, such as the Vanderbilts, Townsends, Phelps and Dreyfus were early benefactors of Smith’s Infirmary.
In 1979, the Staten Island Hospital decided to relocate to its current location on 475 Seaview Avenue, the property was sold to a developer with plans for condominiums. The condo development failed and by the early 1990s it was abandoned and tax liens began to accumulate. In 1983 and 1991 there were community efforts to landmark Smith’s Infirmary with no success.
Due to renewed concern for the property and news that it is being considered for affordable housing, a group of concerned Staten Islanders have formed ‘the Coalition to Save the Castle’. The Coalition believes that most Staten Islanders consider this building a ‘community’ landmark and demand the Castle be protected and included in any plans to redevelop the site. The building has been nominated for NYC landmark status and is under consideration.Without landmarking of this building, it could be demolished and not part of the redevelopment plans. Members of the community would have less community input on the redevelopment of the site and lose a rare building.
The Coalition also believes that landmarking reduces waste and all the buildings on the six acre site should be studied for renovation, rather than demolition. Less debris in the landfills benefits all of us. Staten Island had the largest garbage dump for 30 years, we should be concerned with green building practices. It benefits our community and future generations.
The Coalition is requesting community support for the landmarking of the Frost Memorial Tower and gathering any personal stories associated with working or visiting the former Staten Island Hospital. It is part of our local history and every memory tells a story. Share you stories and show your support for landmarking by posting on the discussion board.
For more on the history of the SI Hospital visit SI Hospital history
I moved to the Island in 1995, and have always marveled at the magnificence of this structure.
I can’t believe this building has just been allowed to sit vacant and deteriorate to the extent is has.
When I first moved to the Island, there was still a concierge and a few people living at 101 Castleton, victims of a scam artist that claimed to be the owner of the building and rented to these folks.
I heard from someone that a lot of people lost a lot of money when a realty company sold these condo units and then walked away.
Some residents of the upper floor which boast views of Manhattan, paid upwards of $300,000 for their penthouse apartment.
I was told this property received J-1 Tax abatement. Such a sad story.
The buildings were called Castleton Castle. There are dozens of open department of buildings violations on this property, and millions of dollars in Liens.
Matter of fact, a contractor that did renovations on the building and never got paid, attempted to stake a claim in the building.
I live a few blocks away, they have recently put up netting on one side of the building’s facade. There was also a Fire set there by squatters about a year ago.
The neighborhood around there is a little “rough”, and many illicit activities have taken place around these buildings.
Hopefully these buildings will be put to good use soon.
I can’t imagine Castleton Avenue without this beutiful structure.
edited to remove company names
Here are some photos of the Smith infirmary.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mercurialn/sets/72157600035901393/
Even more photos
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/forgottentour16/srsmithinfirmary.html
New York Times Article from December 1986
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE7DF133CF93AA25751C1A960948260
NY Times Article Dated May 1987
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE4D6123DF930A35756C0A961948260
The Who’s Who of Staten Island supported the Smith Infirmary in 1893…
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9900E2DF123EE333A25756C1A9649C94679ED7CF
I drove by the Castle this morning and noticed some sections of the roof over the turrets are now rotted thru.
I also noticed that there in now a netting drapped over a section of the newer building.
They also have cemented cinder blocks in place in many of the window openings as well as boarded many of them shut with plywood.
I guess this is a move to keep squatters and vandals out.
This aerial view gives a true sense of the sheer inmensity of this property.
The hospital was comprised of 5 buildings, only 3 remain standing.
http://wikimapia.org/4021025/Old-Staten-Island-Hospital
Youtube clip of the Castle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEZi9ZR_PcU
I found these recent pics of the Smith Infirmary interior.
http://citynoise.org/article/9190/in/staten_island@ny
SAVE THE CASTLE!