Why Does This 1887 Staten Island Victorian Stand Out?
Perched high above the harbor, this 1887 Staten Island Victorian stands out for its rare mix of late-19th-century architecture, commanding water views, and a remarkably large footprint.
Its elevated setting gives the house sweeping harbor and city vistas, along with the privacy and scenic distinction associated with high-ground siting in Stapleton Heights. That placement sets it apart from more typical inland Victorians.
Preserved Character and Scale
The home also stands out for its period integrity. Original woodwork, bay windows, soaring ceilings, once-working fireplaces, and a double parlor preserve its Victorian character. Staten Island’s historic residential appeal was shaped in part by communities like New Brighton, an early suburban retreat praised for its planning and villa development in the nineteenth century.
At roughly 3,072 square feet, with six bedrooms and 2.5 baths, the layout is notably generous.
A separate family room, eat-in chef’s kitchen, reimagined third floor, oversized lot, terrace, balcony, and garden expand its appeal beyond that of a static historic showpiece.
How Expensive Is This Stapleton Heights Listing?
That architectural distinction carries a steep asking price: the 1887 six-bedroom Victorian in Stapleton Heights is listed at $1,099,000. That places it near the upper end of Staten Island’s restored-Victorian market, where comparable historic homes often range from about $700,000 to $1.2 million.
In market context, the number stands out sharply against Stapleton’s $545,000 median sale price and $628,444 median list price.
It also sits well above Staten Island’s broader median sale price of $695,000 and median single-family figure of $725,000. That reinforces that this is a premium-positioned offering.
Still, buyer expectations may be tempered by the home’s size.
At 3,072 square feet, the asking price works out to about $358 per square foot. That is below Stapleton’s reported $450 average and above its $290 median benchmark.
That places the listing in expensive, but not outlier, territory locally. In a market increasingly alert to title fraud risks, buyers of high-value historic homes may also place extra weight on record verification and due diligence.
How Does This Staten Island Victorian Compare Nearby?
Compared with other Staten Island Victorians now on the market, the $1.099 million asking price at 117 Tysen St lands near the upper end without standing alone as an outlier.
It sits above the borough’s roughly $925,000 Victorian median, yet remains close to peers such as 213 Wood Ave at $1.15 million and 351 St Pauls Ave at $1.099 million.
The clearest difference is size.
At 4,992 square feet, 117 Tysen St is far larger than 203 Center St at 2,420 square feet, 213 Wood Ave at 2,450, and 351 St Pauls Ave at 3,072.
That makes its price per-square foot look comparatively restrained.
With Staten Island’s average price per square foot at $437, the home’s larger footprint may help its asking price appear more measured relative to smaller rivals.
In market segmentation terms, it competes across several Staten Island submarkets, where North Shore, Stapleton Heights, and Tottenville locations can shift values substantially for buyers.
Why Do Historic-District Victorians Cost More?
Historic-district Victorians often cost more because they combine extreme scarcity with features that modern construction rarely reproduces at the same level of detail.
That scarcity supports stronger pricing because age, original materials, and preserved craftsmanship cannot be manufactured on demand. District status further narrows supply by limiting the number of comparable homes with similar character and integrity.
Measured Premium
Research also points to a designation premium. Studies have found that homes inside historic districts often sell for more than similar properties outside them, even after accounting for neighborhood and property traits.
Historic protections can also preserve streetscape cohesion, architectural consistency, and visual quality. Those conditions function as amenities, increasing willingness to pay and helping values remain steadier than in areas facing abrupt change or overbuilding pressure.
Who Might Buy This Six-Bedroom Victorian?
Several buyer groups are the most plausible match for a $1.1 million six-bedroom Staten Island Victorian.
Historic-home enthusiasts stand out first. They are typically drawn to preserved 1880s architecture, original detailing, fireplaces, turrets, wraparound porches, and formal parlors that are difficult to replicate in newer housing.
Space and Access Demands
Family buyers also fit the profile. Six bedrooms and multiple living areas support large households, guest space, remote work, and multigenerational arrangements.
Single-family buyers seeking a substantial lot, yards, and parking may see added value compared with condos or attached homes.
Commuters form another likely segment because North Shore locations with ferry, express bus, or car access to Manhattan continue to appeal.
Affluent upper-middle-tier buyers may also view the price as a relative entry point into Staten Island’s larger historic-home market.
Assessment
At $1.1 million, the 1887 Stapleton Heights Victorian reflects the premium attached to large, well-preserved homes in one of Staten Island’s historic enclaves.
Its six-bedroom scale, period character, and district location place it in a narrow segment of the borough’s market.
The listing is likely to draw buyers seeking architectural distinction and space.
It also underscores how scarce historic Victorian inventory continues to support elevated pricing in the area.
