Pre-War Apartments • Tottenville, Staten Island
Pre-War Apartments in Tottenville, 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. Tottenville scores 5.3/10 on DwellCheck's livability index (#10 of 15 Staten Island neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data), with 3 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries.
Tottenville at a glance
Tottenville scores a median 5.3 composite—a middle-ground neighborhood offering few housing violations, offset by noise and limited outdoor recreation.
What to look for in a pre-war apartment in Tottenville
Tottenville 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 (60% 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 Tottenville, 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 Tottenville, Staten Island
You'll find Tottenville at Staten Island's southern edge—a neighborhood defined by waterfront access and a distinctly suburban feel, with sparse trees (85 within 200 meters on average, a tree density of 1.3/10). The area clusters around three Staten Island Railway stations (Richmond Valley, Arthur Kill, and Tottenville), anchoring commuter corridors, while parks like Long Pond Park and Fairview Park sit roughly 1.4 kilometers away on average. Houses dominate: one-family (60% of residential tax lots) and two-family (38%), meaning smaller-scale residential construction. Noise complaints are moderate at 1,079 over 12 months, suggesting either transit proximity or persistent localized issues.
Tottenville scores 5.3/10 overall on DwellCheck's livability index, ranking #10 of 15 Staten Island neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data. Rent prices in Tottenville vary widely; check specific listings for current market rates. DwellCheck lists 3 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries for Tottenville, including Richmond Valley, Arthur Kill, Tottenville.
A typical 200m circle in Tottenville holds about 85 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 1.3/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Tottenville: Long Pond Park, Fairview Park, Hybrid Oak Woods Park. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Fairview Park, about 384m.
Subway stations in Tottenville
Who Tottenville is best for
Only 16 rodent complaints on record—low per resident—which may reflect better pest management or less dense waste infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about finding a pre-war place in Tottenville?
Tottenville pricing varies by block and building. Tottenville ranks #10 of 15 Staten Island neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data on livability (5.3/10). Known for waterfront living and conference house park, Tottenville has a rental market where pre-war options depend heavily on building era and management. Tottenville scores a median 5.3 composite—a middle-ground neighborhood offering few housing violations, offset by noise and limited outdoor recreation.
How much should I expect to pay in Tottenville?
Pricing in Tottenville 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 Tottenville actually a good fit for someone looking for a pre-war apartment?
Depends on your priorities. Tottenville 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 those seeking low rodent pressure. The pre-war inventory specifically depends on building stock, which you can verify address by address.
How do I get around from Tottenville?
DwellCheck lists 3 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries, including Richmond Valley (SIR) and Arthur Kill (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 Tottenville?
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 Tottenville?
A typical 200m circle in Tottenville holds about 85 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 1.3/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Tottenville: Long Pond Park, Fairview Park, Hybrid Oak Woods Park. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Fairview Park, about 384m. The outdoor score is 2.6/10. Green space is limited — plan on traveling for serious park time.
What is the building stock like in Tottenville?
By NYC's PLUTO tax-lot data, Tottenville's residential lots are 60% one-family, 38% two-family, 1% mixed residential/commercial (4,541 residential lots in all). Check the DOB Certificate of Occupancy for any specific building before signing.
Pre-War Apartments in other Staten Island neighborhoods
Check a specific Tottenville 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.
Check a Tottenville address →