The Meadowbrook Bank building was demolished in December 2019 to make way for an Atlantic Auto Group (aka NY Auto Giant) car dealership.
We extend our appreciation and thanks to all the local residents and supporters who worked to save it.
Visit our blog to learn more about the history of the site and our advocacy to preserve it:
The Meadowbrook Bank Building at the Crossroads: “Freeport’s Flatiron” or Lost Landmark?
1929
70 West Sunrise Highway
Village of Freeport, Nassau County
Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places
When the Meadowbrook Bank was constructed in 1929 for First National Bank and Trust Company, it was the tallest building on Long Island east of Jamaica. It played an important role in Freeport’s commercial development, and its design aspires to a vision of Long Island development that is very different than what transpired—it represents a denser more urban sensibility. During WWII, an observation deck was built on the roof to monitor the ‘enemy plane’ activity. It is distinctly reminiscent of an Art Deco version of the Flatiron building and designed by the Hoggson Brothers—several of their other bank buildings are listed on the National Register. The building façade features Mayan reliefs and a lobby finished with Caen stone marble and bronze. It has been empty since the 1980s and owned by the village since 1991. The village landmarks preservation commission has supported local landmark designation, unfortunately, the village trustees have been reluctant.
STATUS: LOST
• The Meadowbrook Bank building was demolished in early December 2019 to make way for an Atlantic Auto Group (aka NY Auto Giant) car dealership.
• The Village of Freeport terminated the sale of the property to the DiNoto Group, resulting in litigation. The village entered into a new contract with the Atlantic Auto Group (aka NY Auto Giant), which proposed redeveloping the property for a Lexus dealership.
• In March 2017, the Village of Freeport entered into a contract to sell the building to the DiNoto Group, a Huntington-based real estate investment firm, for $6.4 million. DiNoto’s redevelopment plans reportedly include a mixed-use project with retail space and 250 units of rental housing for seniors.
• Owned by the Village of Freeport since 1991, the long-vacant and neglected Meadowbrook Bank property suffered decades of deferred maintenance and stalled revitalization plans.
