'Antiquity' Faces A Change Of Address

Hoping to subdivide his Quantuck Lane property into two building lots, attorney Joseph Gazza sat before the Quogue Village Planning Board on Saturday with a unique and multifaceted proposal.

Gazza, a twenty-five year resident of Quogue and father of two, owns an important piece of Quogue history, called the ‘Antiquity’ house, built in 1734 by Deacon Thomas Cooper. Believed to be one of the first homes in Quogue, the historic colonial-style dwelling was owned and lived-in by four of the eight Quogue founding families.  It was also one of the village’s first boarding houses.

Not interested in renovating or maintaining the 18^th century home, Gazza hopes to relocate the house and is willing to not only donate 'Antiquity to the village, but also pay for the structure’s change of address. However, he said, he would like a little consideration from the Quogue Village in return.

Gazza said he purchased the property almost 10 year ago while the owner’s mother, Concha Payne, was still living on the property. At the time of purchase, Gazza agreed to let Payne reside in the house for the duration of her life, but had no idea she would live to be 105 years old. Recently, the centenarian moved out and Gazza has no desire to keep or maintain the house.

“I am now the complete owner and possess the title,” said Gazza.  “The house has been empty for a while and my desire is to subdivide the property and make two building lots for my children.”

According to a report written by Southampton Town Historian Zachary Studenroth about the home, it was named ‘Antiquity’ in 1917 for its preserved external form and extensive interior architectural detailing. Once the former mayor’s residence, the house was moved from the northeast corner of Quogue Street in the late 1800’s and later survived a fire which destroyed one of the newly constructed larger wings. One of the largest houses of its type built during the Colonial period, Studenroth said it is rare to find a home like ‘Antiquity’ still in tact today.

“Antiquity is in danger of demolition,” said Frances Ryan, Quogue Village Historian, “this is a historic home that should be preserved.”

Architectural features inside the home include, unusual batten doors, original wainscoting, chair rails and wide floor boards.

“It’s really a lovely house,” said Dick Gardner, village planning board member, “and a treasure for the Village of Quogue. I have been through it with an historic architect and inside it has many historic architectural touches.”

What is preventing Gazza from realizing his building dream is that the property is short the required area restrictions by about 12 percent and in order to split the 3.6 acres into two lots, an additional 4/10 of an acre would be needed.

“I have experience in the Town of Southampton which don’t make the area requirement,” noted Gazza  “and the town will look for mitigation to look favorably on an application.”