Pre-War Apartments • Great Kills, Staten Island
Pre-War Apartments in Great Kills, Staten Island (2026)
Pre-war NYC apartments are known for high ceilings, thick walls, original moldings, and better sound isolation than much post-war construction. They also tend to come with aging plumbing, quirky layouts, and the strong possibility of rent stabilization. Great Kills scores 6.5/10 on DwellCheck's livability index (#3 of 15 Staten Island neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data), with 2 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries.
Great Kills at a glance
Great Kills scores a median 6.5—a solid neighborhood for tree-seeking families who drive, but transit limitations temper appeal for those prioritizing walkability or frequent Manhattan commutes.
What to look for in a pre-war apartment in Great Kills
Great Kills has a specific housing profile that affects your pre-war search. Its practical score is 9/10 (HPD housing violations per residential lot, higher = fewer), and the most common residential building class is one-family (74% of residential tax lots in NYC's PLUTO data). These are the considerations that matter most here:
- •Higher ceilings than most post-war apartments
- •Thicker masonry walls for noise and thermal insulation
- •Original details like crown moldings, hardwood floors, and decorative fireplaces
- •Aging plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems (budget for occasional outages)
- •Often rent-stabilized if the building has 6+ units (most pre-1974 buildings of that size qualify)
How to verify a pre-war listing
Listings often over-promise on amenities. Before you sign a lease for a claimed pre-war apartment in Great Kills, run through this verification checklist:
- ✓Check the exact year built via NYC Open Data PLUTO records
- ✓Inspect the plumbing during viewing (run faucets, check under sinks for leaks)
- ✓Ask about recent capital improvements, especially boiler replacements and electrical upgrades
- ✓Request the DHCR rent history to confirm rent stabilization status
- ✓Look for fresh paint that might hide water damage or plaster cracks
Want a deeper dive? Read our full NYC Building Types Explained guide.
About Great Kills, Staten Island
Great Kills is a residential waterfront neighborhood where you'll find tree-lined streets—averaging 183 trees within a 200-meter radius with a tree density of 6.4/10—and a quiet, suburban feel anchored by marina access and beach proximity. You'll have five parks within roughly a kilometer on average, including King Fisher Park and the specialized Seaside Wildlife Nature Park. The building stock splits evenly between walk-ups and mid-rise structures, creating a mixed but predominantly low-rise residential character. Transit connections via the Staten Island Railway (Great Kills and Eltingville stations) provide your main link out, though commute scores reflect the reality of crossing water to reach Manhattan.
Great Kills scores 6.5/10 overall on DwellCheck's livability index, ranking #3 of 15 Staten Island neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data. Rent prices in Great Kills vary widely; check specific listings for current market rates. DwellCheck lists 2 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries for Great Kills, including Great Kills, Eltingville.
A typical 200m circle in Great Kills holds about 183 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 6.4/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Great Kills: King Fisher Park, Siedenburg Park, Seaside Wildlife Nature Park. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Great Kills Veterans Playground, about 431m.
Subway stations in Great Kills
Who Great Kills is best for
Practical score of 9 (borough median: 9.0) reflects a low rate of HPD housing violations; ART/Livability at 5.7 suggests tree coverage and relative quiet support residential comfort
Five named parks within ~1km (King Fisher, Siedenburg, Seaside Wildlife, Wegener, Greencroft) and marina/beach access make this appealing despite commute score of 5
The lowest crime rate per resident of the 14 Staten Island neighborhoods we track; moderate rodent complaints (134) signal maintenance standards, though commute score of 5 and outdoor score of 4.8 show trade-offs
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about finding a pre-war place in Great Kills?
Great Kills pricing varies by block and building. Great Kills ranks #3 of 15 Staten Island neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data on livability (6.5/10). Known for marina access and great kills park, Great Kills has a rental market where pre-war options depend heavily on building era and management. Great Kills scores a median 6.5—a solid neighborhood for tree-seeking families who drive, but transit limitations temper appeal for those prioritizing walkability or frequent Manhattan commutes.
How much should I expect to pay in Great Kills?
Pricing in Great Kills varies widely by block, building age, and floor. Staten Island is a large borough with significant rent variation — always compare at least 3-4 listings before committing.
Is Great Kills actually a good fit for someone looking for a pre-war apartment?
Depends on your priorities. Great Kills scores 9/10 on practical (HPD housing violations per residential lot, higher = fewer) and 5/10 on commute (subway stations and lines inside the neighborhood). It tends to work best for car-dependent families seeking green space. The pre-war inventory specifically depends on building stock, which you can verify address by address.
How do I get around from Great Kills?
DwellCheck lists 2 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries, including Great Kills (SIR) and Eltingville (SIR). The commute score is 5/10 (subway stations and lines inside the neighborhood); it is not a travel time, so check the trip to your own destination.
What about safety in Great Kills?
Block-by-block variation is significant — two addresses a quarter mile apart can have very different safety profiles. Staten Island averages 75.6 reported incidents per 300m radius and 0.2 shooting incidents per 500m. The only way to know for a specific address is to check the NYPD data within a walking radius.
Are there parks or green space near Great Kills?
A typical 200m circle in Great Kills holds about 183 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 6.4/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Great Kills: King Fisher Park, Siedenburg Park, Seaside Wildlife Nature Park. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Great Kills Veterans Playground, about 431m. The outdoor score is 4.8/10. There is some green space, though it is not the area's strongest feature.
What ZIP code covers Great Kills?
Great Kills falls in 10306 (New Dorp / Great Kills).
Pre-War Apartments in other Staten Island neighborhoods
Check a specific Great Kills address
Neighborhood averages are a starting point. Every NYC apartment building has unique violations, complaint history, and livability characteristics. Enter any address for a block-level analysis.
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