By Erik Bascome | [email protected] | Posted March 02, 2019 at 02:32 PM
Excelsior Grand auction
Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome
Excelsior Grand auction
Dozens of Staten Islanders flocked to the Excelsior Grand in New Dorp one last time Saturday, as the catering hall that recently sold for $10.2 million to a Manhattan-based restaurateur, auctioned off everything left inside.
Available items spanned from the facility’s sparkling chandeliers, lighting fixtures and wall and table decor, to the tables and leather chairs, kitchen items, dishes, silverware and even the grand piano.
Excelsior Grand auction
Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome
Excelsior Grand auction
Excelsior Grand owner Gerardo Campitiello, who also formerly owned the Monte Bianco, sold the property at 2380 Hylan Blvd. to Bi Hang Cheng, said James Prendamano, CEO of Casandra Properties, who brokered the deal for the seller, along with Rob Nixon, broker associate.
Sources said the new owner operates several Asian restaurants in Manhattan, and is looking to bring a similar style facility to the space that accommodates 1,000 guests, and includes a 9,600-square-foot main banquet hall.
Excelsior Grand auction
Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome
Excelsior Grand auction
Items were auctioned in lots of similar items. If someone bid on and won one chair, then he or she had the option of buying more chairs for the winning bid.
Winning bids varied greatly by items, but there was no questioning the value captured by some bidders.
Large rolling bars sold for just $40 each, with tables going for $70.
Even the stunning chandeliers hanging in the main ballroom sold for just $500 each.
Excelsior Grand auction
Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome
Excelsior Grand auction
Kevin Siewers, of West Brighton, arrived early to scout out the merchandise, looking for furniture to add to his recently refurbished basement.
“I’d like to get one of the small tables for two reasons,” said Siewers. “One, it’s always nice to have a small table for your room. But two, it’s a little piece of Americana. I can say, ‘Hey this tables from the old Excelsior Grand, remember that place?'”
Siewers also came into the day looking to purchase a small bar, but found that all the available ones were too large to fit in his home.
“I wanted a bar, but they’re just too big for the house,” said Siewers. “I don’t own a catering hall or anything. But if you’re a restaurant owner, this would be a great way to spend your day.”
Excelsior Grand auction
Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome
Excelsior Grand auction
Dennis Rees, of Rosebank, said he and his wife were just passing by when they noticed a sign on the door about Saturday’s auction.
After browsing the selection, Rees said he might try and purchase some of the glassware if he can get a good deal.
The couple found another item that piqued their interest, but ran into the same issue as Siewers regarding size.
“We really liked the cappuccino machine, but it’s too big to fit in our kitchen,” said Rees.
The same was said of the chandeliers.
“They’re beautiful, as long as you have a place to put them,” said Rees.
Continue scrolling for more scenes from Saturday’s Excelsior Grand auction.
