About
Alfred Levitt, architect of Levittown, with his daughter Monique, son Alfred, and mother Pauline Levitt
The purpose of this blog is to give a personal dimension to the family that founded Levitt and Sons, Inc., made famous by Levittown, Long Island and Levittown, PA. Much has been written to criticize mass housing developments, but little credit has been given to the builders that were instrumental in shaping the America we know today. The Levitts were responsible not just for making housing affordable, but also for the many fond childhood memories lived in the quiet and comfort of a Levitt house. They created true communities where neighbors became lifelong friends. I am the wife and widow of the architect and builder of Levittown, Mr. Alfred S. Levitt and the mother of two of his children (Alfred and Monique). I am the only person left who intimately knew the founders of Levitt and Sons. I have the insight that no one else can possess. They were my family from the moment I moved to New York in 1950. Abraham and Pauline Levitt were the mother and father I never had growing up. William Levitt was my brother and Alfred… he was my soul mate. For such an enduring and wonderful family, I wish to dedicate my blog.
Monique Jeannine Alfred Levitt
aka Fleurette, artist of Hawaii
http://www.fleuretteart.com
ghostwritten by Elaine L. Cheung
The Founders of Levitt And Sons Blog 
I live in a tudor style house in Rockville Centre, NY. My neighbors tell me that it is one of Levitt & Sons first projects. It was built in either 1930 or 1932 and the property was owned by Abraham Levitt. I am trying to confirm my neighbor’s reports that this house was, in fact, Levitt & Sons first effort. I would appreciate any information, particularly photos that may be available regarding the construction of my home. I have been lovingly restoring interior and exterior, I love the house and would really like to know its history if there is any information available. The property is 10 Lawrence Place, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. Thank you
Hi Mr. Pook,
Yes, it very well might be. The Levitts received several pieces of land in the 1920s as payment for services rendered by Abraham Levitt as a real estate lawyer. These parcels of land were sitting empty and according to Mrs. Levitt, Alfred had an interest in architecture and asked Abraham whether he could do design and build a house, thus began Levitt and Sons. I will look into this property further and let you know if I come across anything of interest. I’m so very glad that you love the house! I will most certainly pass this information on to Mrs. Levitt.
Take care,
Elaine.
Regarding the possible Levitt house in Rockville Centre, you might want to check the Land Deed Records at your town or county courthouse. The original owners (the developers) should be mentioned somewhere along the way in a deed of conveyance.
Hi Mr. Pook,
Thanks to Janice, I poked around on Nassau County Land Record Viewer. If you check the records, Section36, Block 346, there are a number of lots. What this means is that these blocks of land were subdivided and built by a developer. I downloaded the property cards, some dating back to the 1930s and finally found one that lists Levitt & Sons, Manhasset, LI. This is found on Section 36, Block 346, Lot 10. Your property is Lot 2. There is also a nice picture of your house if you do an address search. : ) On the property card as well, you can find information such as the types of materials that were used. For example, cement walls! Stucco on frame! Hardwood! All quality materials, and also asbestos tiles for the roof, which I’m sure is gone by now. If you compare the pictures for several of these lots, they are all Tudor style. I asked Mrs. Levitt about the Tudor influence. She says that on Alfred’s first trip to England, he fell in love with the Tudor style. He was also a history buff as was Abraham and thus carries the middle name Stuart, after the Stuart monarchs. Hope this helps.
Thanks to Elaine and Janice. My documents show Abraham Levitt as the property owner at the time of construction, along with construction details. I am trying to verify whether or not this is the first Levitt project as reported by my neighbors. They tell me that 7 houses were built with my next door neighbor’s house as the model. This makes sense as there are stained glass windows throughout the house along with some very interesting architectural details. What I would love to see are some pre-construction or construction photos or photos of my house as a new house. I’ve already checked with the Rockville Centre Historical Society and the local library, including a search of 1930’s newspapers, with no luck. I have a document in my records that lists Abraham Levitt as the President of the Rockville Centre Community Corporation and is dated November 11, 1926 so I am convinced that Mr. Levitt was the developer. What I would like to know, if possible is whether or not this was the first project, which would make my house and six of my neighbors houses interesting in a historic sense as the very first Levittown. Thanks again for your interest and assistance in my quest.
Richard
Hi Richard,
It is not the first project, although you could say it was one of the first. This set of Tudors date from 1931. Levitt and Sons was incorporated on August 2, 1929. I am unsure where the first Levitt house was built, but it was prior to the founding of the company. Let me do some more research in this area and most certainly I will do a post on it. I did notice the surrounding houses in your neck of the woods and with a few exceptions, they have not been modified radically. I will post these photos as well soon. Keep well and enjoy your wonderful house!
Elaine
I was a good friend of Dinny’s from camp, both Somerset and the riding camp in Vermont. What has happened to her? I knew Monique and Jeannine and the first Mrs. Levitt. I spent time at the houses in both on Long Island and Sylvia’s apartment in NYC.
Thanks
Hi Ms. Chanin,
Thank you for writing. It is nice to find people with memories with the Levitts. Dinny has been living in Switzerland for many years. Dinny keeps in touch with Monique and came to visit not to long ago. If you would like, I can forward your e-mail to her. I hope you find our blog interesting. We hope to make it book-worthy one day. Would it be possible to keep in touch in case I should have any questions for you? I would love to hear your stories related to the Levitts.
Thank you again,
Elaine Cheung
Thank you for responding. It would be nice if you would forward my information to Dinny…we had lots of good times together. I will try and add information that I have to your blog but it’s from the memory of a 10-14 year old…
You might mention to Dinny that I still ride horses.
Thnak you again
BIz Chanin