Help us save the Holland Avenue Tudors!
100-112 Holland Avenue | 1933, 1936-7 | Builder: Jesse Leonard, Designer: Josephine Johnston
Eligible for Listing on the National Register of Historic Places • Nomination for Local Listing In Progress
Owner: Picotte Companies | Assessed Value: between $175,000 - $235,00 (per tentative 2024 assessment)
Last Occupied: approximately 15 years ago as housing
These homes were designed and constructed by prominent Albany builder Jesse H. Leonard between 1933 (100 & 104), 1936 (106, 108, 110) and 1937 (112). New research also links them with previously unknown designer Josephine Johnston who worked for Leonard Realty from the 1920s until her death in 1958 when she assumed the role of president of the company. What makes these Tudor homes truly unique is the fact that they were planned as a cluster of six houses which would be the beginning of a large development of Tudor homes in University Heights, making them the only planned or constructed residential structures along Holland Avenue and in University Heights. They are also very unique in that they are a ‘development’ of Tudor houses.
Current Conditions and Needs
The houses have been vacant since 2010. They are deteriorating from lack of use and maintenance as evidenced by broken windows, overgrown weeds and vines, as well as break ins from vagrants. Despite their vacancy, they are in remarkably stable condition and need only cosmetic repairs to be occupied once again. These buildings need to be reused instead of left to deteriorate further.
HAF’s Actions
HAF has been working with Picotte Companies for more than 10 years to find a new owner who could occupy the buildings on site, who could keep the buildings together and move them to a close location, or multiple owners who could occupy the buildings on a variety of sites near their current location. HAF had the buildings determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. The listing would make the buildings eligible for NYS and Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits as well as various grants.
In September 2024, the City of Albany Historic Resources Commission voted unanimously to recommend HAF’s nomination for the Holland Avenue Tudor Historic District local listing. The listing will next be sent to the Albany Common Council where they will vote on whether to approve the Holland Avenue Tudor Historic District. To read all about the history of the Tudors and their historic and architectural significance, see our nomination. In October, 2024, Historic Albany held a lecture on the buildings and their history. Watch the recording on YouTube here. Download the slides here.
How YOU Can Help!
Contact your council member if you live in Albany and encourage them to vote to approve the Holland Avenue Tudor Historic District local listing. If you don’t live in Albany, you can contact any of the council members to express your support. Visit the Albany Common Council Members & Wards page to get the contact information for your councilmember!
Also, we encourage the public to keep an eye on these beautiful homes and note any vandalism, damage, open windows, etc. on See-Click-Fix for attention by the City Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance or contact the Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance directly. https://en.seeclickfix.com/albany_2
You can also write to Common Councilmember Sergio Adams, whose district includes the Tudors, with your concerns and ideas.
Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance
200 Henry Johnson Blvd
First Floor | Suite #1
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 434-5995
Common Council Ward 7
Sergio Adams
518-892-2112
sadams@albanyny.gov