Step inside one of New York City's most extraordinary landmarked historic homes. Built in 1855 on the grounds of the legendary Rose & Crown Tavern, where British General William Howe once read the Declaration of Independence to his troops. This grand Italianate villa was originally commissioned by a Staten Island militia commander and designed in harmony with the natural landscape, following the picturesque ideals of Alexander Jackson Davis and Andrew Jackson Downing who was the architect known as the ''father of American landscape architecture.''
Later belonging to Gustav Mayer, the German-born confectioner whose original vanilla wafer recipe which was created in this very home, became the foundation for Nabisco's success, the house blends American legacy with European innovation. A true architectural time capsule, it has remained remarkably untouched, with the first floor fully restored to museum-quality standards, including a double parlor, three bedrooms, two kitchens, two full baths, and original handcrafted details throughout. The upper floors, with eight additional rooms and rough plumbing in place, offer over 2,800 sq ft of restoration-ready space and incredible creative potential.
The home sits on over half an acre, crowned by its iconic cupola with sweeping views of Raritan Bay and the Verrazzano Bridge. Its dreamy interiors have served as backdrops for the world's top fashion photographers such as Steven Meisel and Peter Lindbergh, including spreads in Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and W Magazine.
Notable icons such as Gisele Bündchen, Lauren Hutton, and Mary-Kate Olsen have all been photographed here—further cementing this property's reputation as one of the most visually and culturally significant homes in NYC. This is more than real estate. It's a chance to own a story that spans centuries, and to complete the next chapter in a true American masterpiece. The sale includes both matching chandeliers in the double parlor and all other light fixtures, with the exception of the light fixtures in the bedrooms "
For sale
Price cut: $100K (7/17)
$1,499,999
24 Saint Stephens Pl, Staten Island, NY 10306
9beds
5,200sqft
Single Family Residence
Built in 1855
0.52 Acres Lot
$1,457,100 Zestimate®
$288/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
- 122 days
- on Zillow |
- 3,007 |
- 177 |
Zillow last checked: 7 hours ago
Listing updated: July 17, 2025 at 10:24am
Listing by:
Robert DeFalco Realty, Inc. 718-987-7900,
Jimmy Samaha 718-987-7900,
Elizabeth Del Priore
Source: SIBOR,MLS#: 2502138

Travel times
Tour with a buyer's agent
Tour with a buyer's agent
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 9
- Bathrooms: 2
- Full bathrooms: 2
Heating
- Hot Water, Natural Gas
Cooling
- Central Air
Features
- Ceiling Fan(s), Fireplace
- Has fireplace: Yes
- Fireplace features: Living Room
Interior area
- Total structure area: 5,200
- Total interior livable area: 5,200 sqft
Video & virtual tour
Property
Parking
- Parking features: On Street
- Has uncovered spaces: Yes
Features
- Stories: 3
- Fencing: Fenced
Lot
- Size: 0.52 Acres
- Dimensions: 100 x 225
- Features: Back, Front
Details
- Parcel number: 009420037
- Zoning: R3-2
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Victorian
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Wood Siding
Condition
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1855
Utilities & green energy
- Sewer: Public Sewer
Community & HOA
Community
- Security: Security System
HOA
- Has HOA: No
Location
- Region: Staten Island
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $288/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $1,179,000
- Annual tax amount: $12,805
- Date on market: 5/1/2025
- Listing agreement: Exclusive Right To Sell
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