History of the Roebling-Stirn Mansion and its Transformation to Casa Belvedere
Perched atop Grymes Hill with sweeping views of New York Harbor and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the Roebling-Stirn Mansion—now known as Casa Belvedere—is a rare surviving example of early 20th-century country house design in New York City. Built in 1908 by Louis and Laura Natalie Methfessel Stirn, the estate embodies a rich intersection of engineering legacy, cultural sophistication, entrepreneurial achievement, and civic leadership.
A Lineage of Visionaries
Laura Natalie Methfessel Stirn—known as Natalie to distinguish herself from her mother—was the granddaughter of John Augustus Roebling, the pioneering engineer behind the Brooklyn Bridge, and the niece of Emily Warren Roebling, the woman who defied 19th-century convention to supervise the bridge’s completion. Her father, Professor Anton Methfessel, was a German-born scholar and educational leader who founded the Methfessel Institute, later renamed Staten Island Academy, now one of the borough’s most respected institutions.
Natalie was a civic activist who leveraged her social standing to champion equal rights, transforming her home into a gathering place for the women’s suffrage movement. Her influence extended beyond activism—she played a vital role in Staten Island’s cultural development, contributing to the Staten Island Institute of Arts & Sciences, the Garden Club, and the Bird Club. She was also celebrated for her impressive collection of rare plants, showcased in the mansion’s octagonal conservatory and across the estate’s 2.5 sprawling acres.
Natalie’s life reflected the powerful intersection of heritage and personal conviction—not only driving meaningful societal change but also cultivating a legacy of progress and beauty. Her passions for horticulture and social reform helped define Staten Island’s intellectual and cultural landscape at the turn of the century.
Louis A. Stirn: Entrepreneur and Civic Leader
Natalie’s husband, Louis A. Stirn, also left an indelible mark on the community. A German immigrant who arrived in New York as a teenager, Louis built a highly successful career in the silk trade. In 1894, he founded his own firm, which became a premier importer of luxury textiles—ribbons, silks, velvets, and chiffons—supplying leading retailers such as Marshall Field & Co. His entrepreneurial success allowed the Stirns to construct their Italianate-style, neo-Renaissance mansion on Grymes Hill in 1908.
Louis was actively engaged with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the Staten Island Civic League, and the Richmond County Country Club. His leadership helped shape the borough’s early 20th-century economic development and social life. Together, Louis and Natalie created a home that was both refined and purposeful—a beacon of cultural sophistication, botanical beauty, and civic engagement.
A House in Decline, a Vision Reborn
Following decades of prominence, the Roebling-Stirn Mansion fell into neglect after Louis’s passing in 1962. The estate changed hands several times, eventually becoming abandoned, vandalized, severely deteriorated and destined for demolition.
In 2009, Gina Biancardi, daughter of Italian immigrants and a longtime champion of cultural preservation, stepped in. Inspired by the legacy of those who came before her, and by her parents’ own sacrifices and values, Gina acquired the deteriorating mansion with a bold vision: to restore it, reimagine it, and repurpose it for public good.
A Herculean Effort in Preservation
In 2010, Gina founded The Italian Cultural Foundation and donated the mansion to the nonprofit to ensure its preservation and continued relevance. Thus, Casa Belvedere—“House with a Beautiful View”—was born.
The transformation from private home to public institution required a multi-million-dollar rehabilitation journey over a 15-year period, fueled by fundraising and grant support, including the prestigious Save America’s Treasures award from the National Park Service. The restoration addressed:
Structural reinforcements to prevent further decay
Modernized infrastructure to support a fully operational cultural center
Fire and safety compliance for public use
ADA accessibility to welcome all visitors
Historic preservation efforts to honor the mansion’s original integrity.
What began as a crumbling relic on the verge of collapse has been meticulously rebuilt and reimagined. Today, Casa Belvedere stands as a cultural beacon, where shared experiences, cherished traditions, and a profound sense of belonging flourish.
Looking Ahead: Inspiring Future Generations
As Casa Belvedere celebrates its 15th anniversary, exciting plans for expansion are underway, ensuring its role as a world-class destination for learning, culture, and connection. The Campus Vision: Inspiring Future Generations includes:
Hydroponic Learning Lab – Innovating education with sustainable agriculture;
The Verrazzano Vista Pavilion – A breathtaking venue for events and cultural experiences;
Educational Vineyard – Honoring Italy’s winemaking traditions with hands-on programs;
Eco-Friendly Parking Area – Enhancing accessibility while preserving the estate’s beauty;
Architectural Lighting Enhancements – Showcasing the mansion’s grandeur against the stunning NYC harbor backdrop.
A Renaissance in the Present Day
Today, Casa Belvedere is a dynamic cultural campus open to the public year-round, offering hundreds of programs that celebrate Italian heritage and foster community engagement. From language and cooking classes for all ages to film screenings, concerts, art exhibits, festivals, bocce tournaments, and Nonno’s Community Garden, our offerings are as diverse as they are meaningful.
The campus also features historic house tours, the Enrico Caruso Gallery, and rotating exhibitions that showcase the arts while honoring our landmark building’s storied past. Casa Belvedere proudly awards annual scholarships to college-bound students, and partners with local charities and food pantries to give back through philanthropic outreach and garden harvest donations. As both a vibrant gathering place and a steward of historic preservation, Casa Belvedere invites the community to learn, connect, and celebrate culture in a truly unique setting.
The mansion, designated a New York City Landmark in 2001 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011, stands as a living monument—not just to Italian heritage, but to visionary women, entrepreneurial pioneers, and the power of preservation.
Join Us in Shaping the Future
Casa Belvedere is a testament to vision, perseverance, and the power of community. To be part of its next chapter through a naming opportunity or other contribution, please contact Gina Biancardi at gina@casa-belvedere.org.
Together, we honor the past, celebrate the present, and shape the future.
National Recognition: A Celebration of Women’s History and Preservation
In 2019, Casa Belvedere rose to national attention as a finalist in the highly competitive Partners in Preservation campaign—a nationwide online voting contest sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, American Express, and National Geographic Magazine. Focused that year on honoring historic places connected to “Women in History,” the campaign featured over 300 sites across the country.
Thanks to overwhelming community support and a shared passion for preserving women’s legacies, Casa Belvedere finished 7th in the nation, garnering more than 70,000 votes—a remarkable achievement for a local treasure on Staten Island.
Described as a tribute to “women of steel,” the Roebling-Stirn Mansion embodies the enduring spirit of three extraordinary women:
Suzette Claiborne Grymes, the namesake of Grymes Hill and a 19th-century trailblazer;
Emily Warren Roebling, the indomitable force behind the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge;
Laura Natalie Roebling Stirn, civic leader, suffragist, and cultural steward.
The Partners in Preservation grant funding supported critical restoration work on the mansion’s upper floors, which had sustained significant water damage during Hurricane Sandy. These revitalized spaces have been transformed into permanent gallery and exhibit areas, expanding the foundation’s ability to educate and inspire future generations.
Casa Belvedere is also proudly listed among the “1000 Places Where Women Made History” on SavingPlaces.org, a testament to its place in the broader narrative of American women’s impact on culture, infrastructure, and civic life.
April 23, 2025