Sterling National Bank To Close Longtime Branch August 28 - Preserve The Original Home of Forest Hills Masons!

By Michael Perlman

Forest Hills Masonic Temple & Boulevard Bank in 1929, Courtesy of Michael Perlman

One of Forest Hills’ earliest commercial buildings houses Sterling National Bank at 108-01 Queens Boulevard, which was erected in 1920. However, as plans are underway to close its longtime location, the future of this classic Greek Revival style building may be in jeopardy, and merits a tenant that will preserve the building. 

According to Consumer Banking President Brian Edwards, the consolidation date for this branch (with Astoria Bank) will be on August 28. He explained, “Sterling is proud to serve this neighborhood by aligning dedicated relationship managers with the credit, deposit, and banking needs of the local community. While this branch is consolidating, we maintain two other locations within a mile at 63-72 108th Street and 97-33 Queens Boulevard.” 

Sterling National Bank, 108-01 Queens Blvd, August 2018 photo by Michael Perlman

As buildings that offer character are being lost in the name of progress, it is time to rediscover the site’s long yet forgotten history. The former tenant was Boulevard Bank, and nearly a century ago it was home to the Forest Hills Masonic Temple, which was considered a major achievement in a community that was named only fourteen years earlier. On October 9, 1920, a cornerstone was laid for Forest Hills Lodge No. 946 of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York by Grand Master Robert H. Robinson. A parade led up to the ceremony with a marching band, and the Knight Templar lodges of New York City escorted the Grand Master. On November 16, 1920, the Masons moved into their new site after previously meeting at Arcanum Hall in Elmhurst. The organization was granted a dispensation on December 18, 1916 by Most Worshipful Grand Master Penny.

In early 1919, for less than $10,000, Forest Hills Lodge No. 946 acquired a 64-foot frontage on Queens Boulevard by 150 feet on what was originally known as Gown Street. Stone Doric pilasters along with a stone frieze, quoins, and lintels provide contrast from the red brick façade with its large arched and rectangular windows, and were meant to offer charm and prominence on a highly visible intersection. Plans called for bowling alleys among other amusements and a kitchen in the basement, an auditorium and community hall on the first floor, and the Forest Hills Masonic Temple on the second floor with ante-rooms and lockers. One of the most engaging features would be an up to date organ in an organ loft.

Forest Hills residents provided assistance to Lodge No. 946, and Forest Hills Community Hall, Inc was known as the holding company. The Masons would undertake the financing of the property, including the temple, which would represent an investment of over $50,000. The charter committee consisted of Dickran M. Sarkisian, John Miller, Robert Whyte, J.M. Pahl, Andrew Galbraith, Adam Treu, and V. E. Engelbach. As of 1924, membership increased to 187.

Throughout the decades, the building was home to an array of community engagements. Early on, “Scandals at the Shore” was presented by the Lehbog Circle of the Silver Cross Day Nursery, and attendees compared a local show to the season’s best musical comedies. The entertainment group consisted of thirty active and six associated female members. The Forest Hills Choral Club, led by Bruno Huhn, offered a concert at the Masonic Temple in December 1923.

In the Forest Hills Theatre, over 400 participants attended the Fashion Revue and Frolic of the Forest Hills Masons on a single day of a two-day event in December 1928. A bridal tableaux displayed a $5,000 wedding gown. A ballroom dance session at the Masonic Temple followed, and proceeds helped furnish the temple. In September 1932, Forest Hills Jewish Center held High Holiday services on site. On a more humble scale, the Bath Sheba Chapter, Order of Eastern Star coordinated a Dutch supper and card and games party in 1945. That same year, the Trinity Triangle, Daughters of Eastern Star held the Annual Barn Dance. All expenses were paid by the brothers of the Forest Hills Lodge annually when it came to organizing a Thanksgiving dinner and a moving picture show for children of a local orphanage.

In 1928, it was announced that on February 1, 1929, Boulevard Bank and Trust Company of Forest Hills, which became a member of the Forest Hills Board of Trade, would share the building, and D. M. Sarkisian of 30 Jewel Street would be the founder and first vice president. Sarkisian, who was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and a WWI Army Captain, was also a trustee and elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Forest Hills.

On May 14, 1948, the Sterling Safe Deposit Company was granted authorization to open the Sterling National Bank & Trust Company on June 1st. A vintage ad read, “In the past six years, Sterling National Bank has been serving thousands of residents and merchants in Queens through its office at (95-38) Queens Boulevard near 63rd Drive. Our new office will enable us to extend our services over a much wider area of this important section of Long Island.”

Forest Hills Masonic Temple remained for decades at its original site and relocated approximately fifty years after its founding to 101-01 Metropolitan Avenue.

Dec 6: FREE Historic Forest Hills Tour!

FREE Historic Forest Hills Tour on Sun, Dec 6 from 2 PM - 4 PM.
We will explore stately residential buildings, the business district, & the Forest Hills Gardens. We will meet at La Boulangerie at 109-01 72nd Rd. Please join Jeff Gottlieb (Central Queens Historical Association, President), Michael Perlman (Rego-Forest Preservation Council, Chair & Legendary Locals of Forest Hills and Rego Park, Author), & Susanna Hof (Terrace Sotheby's Realty, Principal).


Questions? Email jeffgottlieb@hotmail.com & unlockthevault@hotmail.com

RSVP on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/1513120738986003

 

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs To Host Centennial Gala

Rego-Forest Preservation Council is proud to support the preservation and any historically-accurate restoration of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Forest Hills.

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs To Host Centennial Gala

by Michael Perlman of the Forest Hills Times/Queens Ledger

http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/20960017/article-Our-Lady-Queen-of-Martyrs-to-host-centennial-gala

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs photos by Michael Perlman

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Roman Catholic Church is a sacred and scenic cornerstone in the heart of Forest Hills, and has been for generations. Now parishioners, alumni, and family and friends have the chance to be part of history in the making.

The “100 Years of Gratitude Centennial Dinner Dance Gala” will take place on December 3, at 6 p.m. at Russo’s On The Bay, 162-45 Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach. All proceeds will benefit the church.

This conclusive centennial gala will mark a new chapter, while rejoicing its deeply rooted history of development and the growth of Catholicism since the congregation’s founding in 1912 in Forest Hills.

The gala will follow the glory of the November 18th Centennial Mass of Thanksgiving by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, and the June 3rd Centennial Concert, which featured the Sacred Music Society and honored Reverend Monsignor Joseph Funaro upon his retirement. Rev. Paul R. Sanchez is the new pastor.

As religious buildings age and congregations sometimes dwindle, this church has fared well in both areas, but is in need of funding for restoration and improvements. According to the church’s website, the Centennial Campaign seeks to raise $1,240,000, and $1,440,541 has been pledged by 433 families to date.

Parishioners expressed a bond and recognized the church’s commitment to the community. Parishioner BarbaraAnn Balzaretti Flannery, a member of the Sacred Music Society, will always recall the immediate welcome she and her husband received upon moving to Forest Hills six years ago.

“I have made friends for life, and we are truly part of an amazing family,” she said. “Our Lady Queen of Martyrs is such an important part of Forest Hills history, and I have always favored a magnificent, traditional cathedral. As a musician, the acoustics enable a glorious sound from the organ and orchestra when we have our Christmas concert, a sound that can be heard even from the street.”

Regina Judith Faighes, a parishioner for over 10 years and a lector and choir member, highly anticipates attending the Centennial Gala.

“As this Centennial year draws to a close, I will be a part of the generation that will begin our parish's next century,” she said. “Our church, school, rectory, and convent are architectural gems that are esthetically pleasing even to people who are not members of our Catholic faith. The beauty of these structures augments their sacredness, and I am grateful it did not undergo the modernization that happened to other churches its age following Vatican II.”

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs was modeled after England’s Durham Cathedral, which was erected from 1093 to 1130, and conveyed Medieval ties. The church’s campus is one of the most pristine, stately, and memorable sites in Forest Hills, and spans Queens Boulevard, Ascan Avenue, Austin Street, and 72nd Road.

Its architecturally harmonious buildings of three decades cast a Tudor Neo-Gothic presence within a suburban country setting, which passersby would not typically expect to encounter along the highly civilized Queens Boulevard. Regal architecture is complemented by mature Sycamore and Oak trees, a landscaped perimeter, and inner gardens.

The church’s sanctuary building at 110-06 Queens Boulevard was the recipient of a 1st prize architectural award in the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s annual building competition in December 1939.

Designed by architects Maginnis & Walsh of Boston and erected by the Edmund J. Naughton Building Corp. for a cost of $365,000, it was part of a $2,000,000 building plan. The groundbreaking took place on May 18, 1938, where Reverend Joseph R. McLaughlin told the operator “Now do your stuff.”

After the church was able to acquire a square block, McLaughlin shared his vision of a church and a rectory on December 3, 1936. It came to fruition when the church opened on November 5, 1939. In front of 3,000 attendees, Bishop Molloy led a dedication ceremony on May 30, 1940. The church signified the enthusiastic nature of a small Catholic community in Forest Hills, but with expanding demographics due to the nearby 1939-1940 World’s Fair, the new church became an icon in the eyes of many.

Backtracking, in January 1929, the church’s Parochial School at 72-15 Austin Street won a 1st prize award in the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Institutional Buildings category. It was also designed by Maginnis & Walsh, and erected by Laurence J. Rice. To the benefit of the 22-year-old Forest Hills community, the sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary opened the school on September 9, 1928, and would later teach its students. Through 1939, the 500-plus seat School Hall hosted church services, and in 1984, it was named McLaughlin Hall in homage to the first pastor.

A three-story convent would rise on 72nd Road in 1953. In December 1954, it was also the recipient of a 1st prize architectural award by the Chamber. It would house 24 sisters of the teaching order, and contain a chapel. Carved in stone, the convent features a life-sized statue of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs.

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs’ 100 years can be traced to November 13, 1912, when permission was granted by Bishop Charles E. McDonnell for a Sunday Mass in Forest Hills. The Bishop was noted for the development of Catholic schools and churches to address Catholic immigrants’ spiritual needs.

Margaret Dealy offered her Forest Hills home for Mass. On May 28, 1916, a humble wood-framed chapel was dedicated by the bishop, but succumbed to fire on April 29, 1929.

The current church’s interior is grand yet warm, with its vaulted ceilings, archways, columns, and abundant stained glass. The perspective from the pulpit area makes it seem more intimate. The church is cruciform in layout, reminiscent of most early churches.

Architectural features are enriching, and offer a lesson in religious history. For example, The Pieta is one of many limestone carvings found over the arched main portal and secondary entrances on Ascan Avenue, as well as the Queens Boulevard portal.

Ornamental carvings include the Scale of Judgment and the Ten Commandments tablets, and the pelican brass gate in front of the altar. Wooden pulpit statues include St. Augustine.

The extensive quantity of multi-sized and shaped stained glass windows of the campus’ Weymouth granite, Indiana limestone, and Deer Island granite trimmed façades offer varying motifs and biblical lessons. A rectangular steeple bears dominance over Queens Boulevard, and a traditional spire adds uniqueness to Austin Street.

“The architecture and stained glass are magnificent, and with its illuminated façade at night, as our Administrator and former pastor Msgr. Funaro so well phrased it,” said Faighes, “it is a beacon of faith on Queens Boulevard.”

Tale of 2 of Forest Hills' Earliest Apartment Houses

The historic Georgian Court, 109-20 Queens Blvd

The Alberta, a historic Tudor gem at 108-22 72nd Ave, which was originally 2 Roman Ave.

 Two of Forest Hills' earliest apartment houses are the Georgian Court and the Alberta, which are situated in the business and residential district in the heart of our neighborhood.

It is the compilation of low-density developments with mainly Tudor and Colonial design which surround the Austin St and Queens Blvd thoroughfares, and which grant character to what was once referred to as "Forest Hills Village" or "The Village." Let's think twice before insensitively altering or demolishing the low-rise residential and commercial sites along and in between these thoroughfares. Preserving, restoring, and adaptively reusing our assemblage of buildings which began in 1906, will pay respect to the fine craftsmanship and vision of our remarkable developers, urban planners, architects, and business owners, who would once strive to make our streestscapes harmonious and distinctive from Anytown USA. It was a complementary extension to the aura of the Forest Hills Gardens, and still is in many ways, with the exception of a few tacky aluminum or stucco-covered buildings, and the brick and steel sliver McOffices that began to rise on 72nd Ave.

We extend our gratitude to Historian Ron Marzlock of the Queens Chronicle's I Have Often Walked column, for publishing the history of the Georgian Court and The Alberta on June 23rd & June 16, 2011 respectively, and establishing the need for their preservation and that of the greater neighborhood:

Georgian Court: An Innovator in Forest Hills

Georgian Court, located at 109-20 Queens Blvd, with tennis courts to the left, May 1931.

 Georgian Court holds the distinction of being the first apartment building built on Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills. It was an innovation for its time for many other reasons too.

It was designed by Manhattan architect Louis I. Brooks of 63 Madison Ave. and was the only apartment building built in Forest Hills during the Great Depression, opening for occupancy on Oct. 1, 1930.

All apartments were built with three or four rooms and were convertible to six- or seven-room units.

The building had two Otis elevators, individual incinerators for each unit, refrigerators and gas ranges. There were no dumbwaiters. It was Forest Hills’ first apartment building with colored tile to match the fixtures in both the bathroom and kitchen, a welcome change to the stark black and white of the 1920s. References were required for tenants to rent a three-room apartment for $100 or four rooms for $140, expensive at the time.

Georgian Court’s most attractive selling point was that it was situated next to beautiful tennis courts. However, that was short lived. It was announced on Dec. 3, 1936 that a new church and rectory were to be built there for Our Lady Queen of Martyrs for $365,000. Steam shovels broke ground in May 1938, residents lost their view and they endured the noise for the next year.

Today Georgian Court sits modestly on the boulevard, obscured by all the other structures towering over it. Compared to newer buildings, residents are still very happy with its solid construction and love their 80-year-old building.

More photos of the Georgian Court, courtesy of Michael Perlman
  

A Forest Hills Gem: The Alberta, Built in ’23

A 1923 architect’s rendering of The Alberta, located at 2 Roman Ave, today’s 108-22 72 Ave in Forest Hills.

 The oldest apartment building in Forest Hills outside of the Gardens I have found to be The Alberta. John S. Myers of Manhattan was the builder, and he named the structure after his mother.

In 1922 Myers hired architect Rudolf C.P. Boehler to design a four-story luxury walk-up building at what was then 2 Roman Ave. Boehler worked mainly in Manhattan, from 1920 to 1954, and this was his only project in Queens.

Through a beautiful marble covered vestibule you enter The Alberta’s spacious, artistically treated reception room, from where marble stairs lead to the apartments.

One of the selling points was Myers’ willingness to arrange the color scheme in accordance with tenants’ wishes if leases were signed before completion of the building. Inspection began in late September 1923 and it was ready for occupancy on Oct. 15. Expensive for its time, The Alberta’s A and B line of four-room apartments cost $145 a month, the three-room C and E line was $110 and the two-room D was $85.

Another selling point was that, as advertised, the apartments had a commanding view overlooking Queens Boulevard to Kew Gardens in one direction and Jackson Heights and Elmhurst in the other.

The building has been renumbered 108-22 72 Ave. but retains the name Alberta. After 88 years it is in pristine condition, and serious thought should be given to its preservation as buildings like this will never be constructed again in Forest Hills. With the very high value of the land alone, this beauty could be put in danger of destruction at some point.

More photos of the Alberta, Courtesy of Michael Perlman

Civic Virtue Drowning In Politics

Triumph of Civic Virtue, Photo by Michael Perlman, Rego-Forest Preservation Council, March 30, 2009

Art is open to interpretation, which is unique art within itself, and with that, some controversy may ensue. Sometimes the artist's vision is misinterpreted. Without public input, a piece of history may be no more, if some electeds have their way.

In an attempt to raise funds, Congressman Anthony Weiner and NYC Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras are asking the city to sell the historic Triumph of Civic Virtue statue from Queens to Craigslist. They claim it's sexist, without being aware of its true meaning. If a statue would be considered sexist or greatly profane a century ago, it would have stirred public outcry.

If it is demolished, or sold to end up in the highest bidder's backyard, then a public monument will be deprived from the countless passersby and the general public, who comprehends its true meaning, appreciates its long-term existence, and craftsmanship.

Civic Virtue was designed in 1920 by renowned sculptor Frederick William MacMonnies, and sculpted by the Piccirilli Brothers, who were all prolific in their trade. It was initially installed in City Hall Park in Manhattan in 1922. To coincide with the development of Queens Borough Hall, it was transported to the north side of Queens Blvd & Union Turnpike in 1941, when Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia took office. The Mayor didn't want to view its backside from City Hall's windows.

Photo by Michael Perlman, March 30, 2009

This statue is surrounded by a fountain which hasn't been restored for decades. Over a period of time, funding should be raised to accomplish a full restoration of this weathered public work. In the name of public art, benefactors need to step up, since the Parks Dept has not maintained it.

Triumph of Civic Virtue depicts a muscular nude Hercules with a sword in his right hand behind his neck, and standing over two mermaid-like Sirens (female figures with bird feathers & scaly feet) in Greek mythology, on top of a four-sided fountain. Its base reads, "This fountain was erected by the city of New York with funds bequeathed by Mrs. Angelina Crane." Civic virtues are defined as: 1. Personal habits and attitudes, which are conducive to social harmony and the common good; 2. The cultivation of habits of personal living, which are claimed to be important for the success of the community.

Would we eradicate a statue at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, just because some people may interpret it as "sexist?" Let's start looking for reasons to sell off all of our city's public monuments, as a mere attempt to improve the city's budget, and begin resorting to eBay.

So why would it take 70 years for elected officials to complain, and advocate for its removal from the Queens landscape?

What should be designated a city Landmark, sometimes is not. For an array of photos documenting its superb craftsmanship, visit:
http://bit.ly/SaveCivicVirtue

For more information:
Statue Fuels Controversy In Queens, 7Online.com, Feb 25, 2011

10th Annual Downtown Forest Hills Walking Tour by Historian Jeff Gottlieb

Historian Jeff Gottlieb at the start of the tour on Austin St & Continental Ave, in the heart of historic Downtown Forest Hills! On the left-hand site is a remarkable century-old Tudor business establishment, designed in conjunction with the Forest Hills Gardens. The same holds true with the charming late 1920s Austin Hall & Tudor Hall, designed with shops at street level & apartments above. The former Corn Exchange Bank is on the right.

Similar perspective of above photo, but depicting Austin St in the 1940s, & featuring predominantly Tudor & Georgian Colonial commercial & residential sites from early 20th century Forest Hills. Postcard courtesy of Michael Perlman Postcard Collection

The 10th Annual Downtown Forest Hills Walking Tour was held on a pleasantly sunny and warm Sunday afternoon of September 5, 2010, and was a historic record-breaker, adding a chapter in the success of previous walking tours led by Historian Jeff Gottlieb. Members of Central Queens Historical Association and Rego-Forest Preservation Council, inclusive of neighborhood residents, were in attendance. The 2 hr 45 min tour began on the corner of Austin St and Continental Ave, made its way east on Austin St to Ascan Ave, while viewing the blocks between Austin St and Queens Blvd, and turning in on Ascan Ave. On Queens Blvd, the tour headed west, pointing out historic sites along the south and north sides, and made its way to 70th Ave, and then stopped at MacDonald Park, a cornerstone of the neighborhood. Then the tour turned in on 70th Ave and proceeded west on Austin St, back to its origins at Continental Ave.

Happy faces of the walking tour's diverse attendees, who pose in front of 1 Continental Ave, a Tudor apt & commercial site, which dates to the 1920s when Continental Ave was a thoroughfare referred to as "The Village." It was designed to complement nearby Forest Hills Gardens, established in 1909. When walking on Continental Ave, as well as Austin St, don't be the average passerby, but pause and glance at a world of English village-like intrigue overhead and all around. A slate steep roofline with wood spandrels, a 2-tone brick and stone half-timber effect, a limestone entryway, and a shield at the the climatic point of the central cross section with limestone quoins, captures the eye!

Michael Perlman, Chairman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council explains, "Historian Jeff Gottlieb, who is President of the Central Queens Historical Association, always manages to conduct a phenomenal tour. He can be compared to a walking encyclopedia, and is a people's person who makes Forest Hills history come alive on his tours, with his creative yet down to earth approach. It was great how many people asked questions, and engaged in each other's conversation as a result. This is a tradition that Forest Hills is extremely fortunate to have."

Two noble leaders! Historian Jeff Gottlieb in the path of the iconic Captain Gerald MacDonald statue in MacDonald Park, who was a WWI soldier & a Forest Hills resident. 

Historian Jeff Gottlieb reflected upon the 10th annual tour in pride. He explains "It was a great, solid tour, with the largest crowd in years. The Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce helped promote it. Giving the tour was enjoyable as the people were enthusiastic. It was comprised of various age groups and ethnicities." Approximately 50 - 60 people attended, which illustrates that a greater percentage of locals are caring about our neighborhood's history, and such distinctive sites in the Tudor, Georgian Colonial, Art Deco, Romanesque, Gothic, Neo-Renaissance, International Style, etc. The distinction amongst the commonly found architectural styles was explained, which grants character that is seldom found in today's developments.

Jeff Gottlieb explained the naming of Forest Hills in 1906, the establishment of the Forest Hills Gardens in 1909, historic patterns of the 20th century, and pointed out the majority of historic sites in Forest Hills' most popular commercial and residential district, in regard to their skillful architects and reputable developers.

Memorable 20th century businesses include Beau Brummel, Woolworths, Bohack, Chateau Jewelers, Addie Vallens, the Homestead, Sutton Hall Pharmacy, Cheeses of The World, & the recently shuttered Buster Brown Shoes. Some of Forest Hills' numerous celebrities were noted, including Helen Keller, Bud Abbott & Lou Costello, and Geraldine Ferraro. Street names from A-Z that are no longer in existence were pointed out, including Atom St, DeKoven St, Euclid St, Fife St, Gown St, & Pilgrim St, as well as Colonial Ave & Roman Ave (now 72nd Ave, but only retained in the Forest Hills Gardens). Austin St, Continental Ave, & Ascan Ave are holdouts. The site of Forest Hills' first firehouse was highlighted on Austin St. Also, the 1906 temporary electrified LIRR station on the south side of Austin St, which was built in close proximity to Forest Hills' 1st street, Roman Ave/72nd Ave featuring huble yet elaborate Neo-Renaissance rowhouses (1906) for original workmen, which are shamefully imminently endangered today.

At the conclusion of the tour, Historian Jeff Gottlieb gave Preservationist Michael Perlman the stage, enabling him to give a presentation on the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium Preservation Campaign. It was well-received, and garnered the support of many locals that signed onto a petition calling on landmark status and creative reuse for the iconic Stadium. The 10th annual tour of the district also caught the attention of NY 1 News, which ran the report later that afternoon, and featured footage of historic sites, and interviews by Historian Jeff Gottlieb, Preservationist Michael Perlman, Steve Melnick of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce & Queens Blvd Restoration Group, and a Rego Park participant who explained how she will now begin seeing our neighborhood's history and architecture in a different light, and owed her gratitude to Gottlieb's tours.

Annual Tour Shows Many Sides of Forest Hills, NY 1 News, 9/7/10

Admiring the Tudor charm of the Gladstone & Harding Court on Austin St. Distinguishable characteristics include the half-timber effect, pitched roofs, burnt bricks, & tall chimneys. The Bishop's Crook style lamp posts were re-introduced in the late 90s, conveying harmony with the architecture.

Architect Benjamin Braunstein was a household name. This is evident when designing the Portsmouth, a Georgian Colonial apt house with a courtyard leading to 2-wing recessed entryways and facades, allowing light and creating a sense of place. Distinctive features include lantern, original wood doors, large windows, a bricked dental cornice, limestone roundels, non-accentuated fire escapes, & ornamented wrought-iron balconies on Austin St. The Portsmouth was built in conjunction with its easterly neighbor, the Hawthorne.

Crossing Austin St to Ascan Ave's Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church & one of the greatest examples of Tudor architecture & urban planning in Downtown Forest Hills, Sutton Hall. Note the apt house's graceful stepped entryway, Medieval wood doors with knight motifs on inlaid stained glass, the central facade's cupola, mansard roofs, prominent half-timber effect, recessed facades, castle-like motif, arched overhead window storefronts, & more.

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church & Parochial School (1938 & 1928, with harmonious 1950s edifices) is a grand Romanesque & Gothic complex that spans 4 city blocks, with a plethora of stained glass, novel steeples, ornate entryways, landscaped courtyards between the buildings, and gardens outlining the facades.

Admiring the craftsmanship & urban planning of the attached Warrenton & the Hampton complex (109-20 71st Rd to 109-05 72nd Ave) attached with a suspended arch on a lush garden, as well as the Carlton House, with its 4-section front facade outlined with quoins, recessed columned entryway, decorative balconies, corner terraces, & pediments with roundels.

Jeff Gottlieb explains how the mid 1920s Georgian Court is the earliest apartment house with a Queens Blvd address in Forest Hills. This Georgian Colonial gem boasts a recessed entrway with Corinthian columns, a flagstone path, a pitched slate roof with balustrades, recessed facades permitting greenery, air, and light, quoins, limestone lintels, cornices, & an arched window adjacent to the entryway where a doorman would once greet residents.

Historian Jeff Gottlieb atop the legendary Midway Theater's sweeping staircase. The theater was designed by America's foremost theater architect, Thomas W. Lamb, & was his very last theater, & one of his relatively few in the Art Moderne style, considering his circa 300 theaters nationally. Completed in 1942, it was named at the last moment after WWII's Battle of Midway. The limestone facade is mostly intact, with its curtain-like effect, illuminated marquee & vertical beacon boasting MIDWAY, curved facade with a streamline design, & a side picture window. Originally a single screen theater, it now features 9 screens, and is a thriving theater, with a largely intact Art Moderne lobby-in-the-round.

The Forest Hills Post Office is 1 of 2 sites in Forest Hills thus far to be placed on the State & National Register of Historic Places. Its cornerstone reads 1937, and the site depicts the International Style with some Art Deco touches. Most post offices of the era were in the Colonial style, but Architect Lorimer Rich was experimental with his clever use of industrial materials in shape and form. Above the brass doors, there is a terra cotta "Spirit of Communication"relief sculpture by famed artist Sten Jacobsson. The site has some resemblances to the 1939 World's Fair's NY City Building. Note the stained terra cotta facade, tall recessed windows with a simplified cornice line. The International Style & Art Moderne style of Forest Hills Jewish Center is evident in the background, with a 1947 cornerstone. These historic sites make a suitable backdrop to serene MacDonald Park, in midst of bustling Queens Blvd.

Hopefully, landlords, tenants, and developers can realize how preserving their culturally and architecturally significant properties can contribute to the harmonious ambiance of the neighborhood, and in turn, maintain and enhance property values, residency, and business, and improve our quality of life. For questions about Forest Hills and Central Queens' architectural styles and history, and restoring and creatively reusing your site, please e-mail:

Historian Jeff Gottlieb, Pres. of Central Queens Historical Association: jeffgottlieb@hotmail.com
(917) 376-4496

Preservationist Michael Perlman, Chair of Rego-Forest Preservation Council: unlockthevault@hotmail.com
http://regoforestpreservation.blogspot.com

Photo Collections by Michael Perlman

10th Annual Downtown Forest Hills Tour Photoset
Central Queens Historical Association - Prior Walking Tours
Extensive Collection of Austin St & Queens Blvd Photosets