Letter To The Editor: City Needs To Take Action On Leland Castle

The Leland Castle, a historic and beautiful building in New Rochelle, is at risk due to the planned sale of the 15.6-acre campus of the former College of New Rochelle.

The New Rochelle Preservation Coalition, a group of concerned citizens, including neighbors of the Castle and alumnae of the College, seeks adoption of a City Ordinance granting local landmark status to the Castle and potentially to other campus buildings as well. Preservation of the architecturally unique exteriors of the Castle and other buildings depends on action by the City Council, as a private owner is not obligated to maintain the appearance of a building in the absence of local landmark or historic district status.

The Castle was built in 1859, originally as a summer home by a New York hotel entrepreneur, Simeon Leland, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976 as well as on the New York State Register since 1980. It was constructed in Gothic Revival style and features granite stone walls, several towers and diamond-paned windows.

A local landmarking application for Leland Castle has been prepared and submitted by the City Historian Barbara Davis. In view of the steps required for the Historical and Landmarks Review Board to prepare a recommendation for the City Council, the Coalition calls on the Board to initiate review of the application as soon as possible to protect this important landmark and provide clarity for potential buyers.

“For New Rochelle, the significant building relates many layers of the community’s history and how it became one of New York’s premier suburbs, including immigrant settlements, the “gilded age” and the 20th century ‘residential park’ era,” according to the Landmark application.

The Coalition is encouraging everyone concerned about the future of Leland Castle to send letters and messages to the Mayor, City Manager, City Council members and Chair of the Historical and Landmarks Review Board, requesting that the Board take up the application as soon as possible. All City staff, elected and appointed officials can be reached at City Hall, 515 North Avenue, New Rochelle 10801.

— New Rochelle Preservation Coalition