Project 1108 "Onderdonk House"

Constructed in 1836 as a private residence, the Horatio Gates Onderdonk House is a significant example of Greek Revival architecture on Long Island. Now operating as a civic center and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it continues to serve as a central gathering space for the Manhasset community.

ABA’s work began with a close study of the house’s nineteenth-century construction and its subsequent alterations. The team cross-referenced existing conditions with Historic American Buildings Survey documentation and archival photographs to establish a precise understanding of original assemblies, proportions, and detailing. This research shaped a restoration approach that prioritizes material continuity and formal accuracy while meeting current performance requirements. Recent phases included a full reconstruction of the rear porch, the designed restoration of the front entry steps and porch, and targeted envelope repairs. These upgrades addressed clapboard siding, window wells, and roof replacement, bringing the building into compliance with contemporary hurricane-resistance and life-safety standards.

Because the project is partially funded through the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (SHPO) Environmental Protection Fund, the scope extended beyond design and construction. ABA led the documentation, review, and procurement processes required for funding, coordinating approvals with the Board of the Onderdonk House Landmark Society, the Town of North Hempstead, and state preservation agencies. Each intervention was developed to satisfy strict preservation criteria and public accountability requirements, aligning regulatory compliance with careful stewardship of a landmark building.