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Steinway Mansion is in Contract to be Sold to Private Buyer

Steinway Mansion (wikicommons)

March 5, 2014 By Michael Florio

A private buyer is in contract to acquire the historic Steinway Mansion.

The Steinway Mansion has been on the market since 2010 and despite the many attempts by the The Friends of Steinway Mansion — a non profit group dedicated to buying it — to acquire it.

The non-profit tried to raise $9 million to purchase it so it could keep the building and its grounds open to the public.

“We are aware that the Steinway Mansion is under contract to be sold,” said the Board of Directors for the Greater Astoria Historical Society, the sponsoring organization for the Friends of Steinway Mansion, in a statement “We do not have any information to share at this time.”

The organization, made up of government representatives, community groups, individuals and business, had hopes of turning the mansion into a museum for the public and an education center for New York City children.

To raise money, the organization held events, sought government funding and donations via its website.

The mansion was built in 1858 and acquired by William Steinway in 1864.

In 1926, the mansion was acquired by Jack Halberian and after his death his son Michael occupied it. After his death in 2010, the property was put up for sale.

The mansion was landmarked in 1966,

Many residents, along with elected officials, still hope that the mansion’s rich history will still be preserved despite it winding up in private hands.

“The Steinway Mansion is an integral part of Astoria’s rich cultural history,” said State Sen. Michael Gianaris. “I join my neighbors in hoping that whoever made this purchase will keep the Steinway Mansion’s importance to the community in mind going forward and find a way to allow public access to this neighborhood landmark.”

The buyer has not been identified and the price was not disclosed.