Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

Townhouse's last dance?
Owner of Huntington Townhouse wants to build condos, but to many, that's no casual affair

BY KEIKO MORRIS
STAFF WRITER

March 9, 2006

The lavish, glitzy catering hall in Huntington Station that holds a place in the photo albums and memories of thousands of Long Islanders may face demolition if a plan proposed by its owner is approved.

Rhona Silver has made a formal request to the Town of Huntington to change the zoning of the Huntington Townhouse property from commercial to residential to make way for 189 condominium units.

Silver did not return several calls for comment, so the reason she filed the application in November and whether she will continue her catering business elsewhere could not be learned. But the proposal to raze the original white building with its landmark giant chandelier and sweeping two-story staircase, and a modern addition built later, and replace them with condominiums came as a shock to many in the area. They lament the potential loss of such a reference point and fear the possible effects such a project could have on the school population and traffic.

Suffolk County Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor) said he has mixed feelings about the proposal. Cooper said that a development with affordable housing could address a critical need. Yet he has a strong emotional attachment to the place because he and his partner, Rob Cooper, held a celebration there for some 380 people after their commitment ceremony in 2000. And he guesses that in recent years, he's been there at least 100 times for events that included a fund-raiser he hosted for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's senate campaign.

'It's going to be strange for me driving by there' if the project goes forward. 'It's almost like visiting your family home and it's not there anymore and it's a bagel store or something.'

Town Councilman Stuart Besen said he could not comment on the application itself but described the Townhouse as a 'staple in Huntington,' adding he had his bar mitzvah party there.

'It was very large and it was glittery,' he said. 'I remember my parents had a huge round thing with all types of desserts ... a Viennese hour. I remember being incredibly proud that my parents had my bar mitzvah there.'

The catering hall, which sits on Jericho Turnpike, had its start some time in the 1950s as a restaurant called Gerard's, said Robert Hughes, the Huntington Town historian. It became the Huntington Townhouse in the early 1960s, he said, and Silver became the owner in 1997. She has called the it the largest catering hall on the East Coast, with a maximum seating capacity of 3,000.

Several years ago, the town approved a zoning change to include a 240-room hotel, which Silver had proposed building next to the catering hall. That hotel was never constructed.

This latest proposal, which was submitted in November under Rhobar Inc. and Rhona Silver Enterprises-Hotel LLC, calls for 15 two- and three-story structures to be built on the 17.56-acre property, including a clubhouse and pool. A total of 1.76 acres is to be set aside as town park land.

In December, the town board concluded that the proposal could adversely impact the surrounding neighborhood and asked for a draft environmental impact statement, which has been submitted. The planning department has comments and is waiting for Silver and her company to respond.
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I think this is probably steeming from so many complaints about bad service there since her takeover. If anyone has booked w/ them I would call to see what their plans are

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

I just heard it on 1010 wins!!!
I was so shocked!

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

I agree w/ the complaint about the traffic. She can't be serious. It would be so backe up over there on Jericho turnpike its crazy Aside from the fact she might want to fire her son from her staff. He's a piece of work, who needs not work w/ the public. His attitude ***** BIG time!

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

Wow! Is this a cause for concern for brides??? Oh man, are their phones gonna be ringing or what???

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

they have been ringing. I'm trying to get a hold of someone. I'm waiting for my money. I cancelled my wedding with them on Febuary 8th.

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

wow, thats crazy. I hope this doesn't effect anyone- that would be awful if they kept booking affairs and then closed down, but its happened before!

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

I know it's crazy. That's why I posted this b/c there are many brides that have started booking halls almost two yrs, in advance. And knowing their customer service over at the HTH their not informing people of what their thinking about doing. I understand it's a business,and they still need to make money but I hope they inform individuals that are looking into booking their hall for any type of event of their plans. I know first hand b/c I went w/ a friend of mines to look at the hall, and she was thinking about booking (until we got so many negative reviews, and experienced it ourselves) we weren't informed of anything and her wedding is for 12/07

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

I read this article in Newsday this morning - if this is a historical building, why in the world isn't the Historical Society getting involved to save the building or even the Town wanting to put a stop to it?!!!

All brides having booked there better start calling to confirm they still have a reception site!!! This would suck if they don't take care of their clientele!!!

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

I think its a good idea. I'm all for new housing. I am sure plans like this would take a VERY long time to be approved, loans made. I doubt brides have anything to worry about as far as cancelations. I would be concerned slightly bc if they are planning on going out of business they have no motivation to do a great job.

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

I hate that place. That steven is a piece of work. I hope they go out of business and fire him!!!
Is that mean to say?

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

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Posted by DAVALJO2

I hate that place. That steven is a piece of work. I hope they go out of business and fire him!!!
Is that mean to say?

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It's not mean to say b/ci too have experienced Steve the Demon as my friend calls him. He is a piece of work, one of the most arrogant men I met in my life. Very rude, and pretty much has no concern for his families business. Personally I feel if he weren't running things they would be better off, but I guess she can't just fire her son.

Let''s just hope that whatever their plans are that everyone gets their money back, and is satisfied

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

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Posted by DAVALJO2

I hate that place. That steven is a piece of work. I hope they go out of business and fire him!!!
Is that mean to say?

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i have to agree... i don't look at that place and think landmark at all. JMO, but that place seems a little out-dated and very run down.
even my FIL's who were married there 30 years ago when it was really nice say that these days it should just go out of business or someone should buy it, re-do it and make it really nice again.
my FFIL hates it, everytime he passes by it (because he got married there and it was THE PLACE to get married and now it has gone down-hill so much) he says the only thing it needs is a stick of dynamite. you should hear what he says when he hears Ms. Silver's name or sees a pic of her!! LOL it's actually pretty funny.
idk, i just don't think the people of huntington should be trying so hard to hold onto that place. traffic or no traffic, having the condos there might bring the value of the area up a little and bring some nice families in there. it would also help a lot of people in need for affordable housing on LI.
either way, i think that place is just taking up space at this point. i had my prom there which i hate admitting and it was such a bad experience!

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

my friend just told me that!!!! I can't believe it!

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

I heard about this on News12 this morning!! I was shocked!

They said a lot of people are concerned about the amount of traffic in the area. But I mean, with the growing population and people moving out to the Island, they have to live somewhere!!

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

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It's not mean to say b/ci too have experienced Steve the Demon as my friend calls him. He is a piece of work, one of the most arrogant men I met in my life. Very rude, and pretty much has no concern for his families business. Personally I feel if he weren't running things they would be better off, but I guess she can't just fire her son.

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I haven't heard that before..Steve the Demon

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

i heard about it this morning on the radio.

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

anyway to make $$$$$$

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

Re: Did anyone read this about the Huntington Townhouse

traffic would be so awful there. i work down the road and pass by there when i drive to work. traffic would be so bad in particular there if the built condos b/c they are so close to 110. everytime i drive by there i cant understand why parts of their parking lot has grass on it...

if they dont tear it down then they really need to update it.