Historic East Moriches home gets second chance after demolition plan withdrawn

For a brief moment, it appeared one of East Moriches’ oldest surviving homes might soon disappear.

Instead, a demolition application for the roughly 300-year-old structure at 453 Montauk Highway has been withdrawn, giving town officials, preservation advocates and the property’s new owner an opportunity to explore alternatives for the historic landmark.

Brookhaven Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig confirmed to GLI that demolition plans have been abandoned after concerns surfaced among residents and local historians about the future of the centuries-old home, known locally as the Osborn House.

According to the councilwoman, the home’s original section is believed to have been constructed sometime between 1706 and 1735, making it approximately 300 years old and one of the oldest surviving structures in Brookhaven’s 6th Council District.

Over the centuries, the building has served a variety of purposes.

“The house served as a tavern for a period of time and then later as a private home for prominent area residents,” Kesnig said.

The property, located within the East Moriches Historic District, recently became the subject of an application before Brookhaven’s Historic District Advisory Committee seeking permission to demolish the historic residence. Committee records identify the applicant as 453 EM LLC and list Tony Liu as the owner.

The proposal sparked widespread concern among residents after Kesnig shared news of the application on social media, with dozens of commenters urging the town to preserve one of the hamlet’s oldest landmarks.

While Kesnig has not yet spoken directly with Liu, she said she is encouraged by the decision to withdraw the application.

Attempts to reach Liu were unsuccessful.

“We plan to coordinate a meeting with the owner when he returns from being out of the country,” she said. “While I haven’t spoken to him personally, I believe the fact that he withdrew the demolition application indicates his willingness to discuss alternative options.”

Public records show the property changed hands in December 2025. To Kesnig’s knowledge, the building was last used as a private residence, though she said she does not know exactly how long it has sat vacant.

Kesnig said it is too early to speculate on what ultimately becomes of the property but hopes preservation remains part of the conversation.

“Without speaking to the owner, I cannot comment on the future of the property,” she said. “However, I am a strong advocate for preserving our historic treasures and sincerely hope that we can work together to achieve that.”

Several commenters on the councilwoman’s Facebook page, where she first shared news of the demolition permit being pulled, also called for preservation.

“This can be saved as long as funds are there,” wrote Benny Gee. “Those beams are beautiful and we’ll never see that again. Even the foundation is amazing. Old time American ingenuity.”

“Colonial post and beam,” added Gregory Corn. “Could be an interesting project.”

Top: Public records show the Osborn property changed hands in December 2025. (Credit: GLI/Nick Esposito)