Owner Eyes Assisted Living Facility, Wants Sale for Decaying Ebo Hill Estate

The owner of the vacant Ebo Hill estate in Edgewood Avenue in Smithtown said he'll part with the property as soon as he gets a fair offer, though he's considered proposing an assisted living facility for the stately mansion.

Richard Longobardi, owner of All Towne Realty Group in Smithtown, said he bought the property in mid-2000 as an investment opportunity, but the recession and real estate slowdown has made it hard to profit from that.

"The property could be pretty valuable," he said, "so I'm asking at least $1 million plus."

But the estate has seen better days. Originally, the land was owned by Obadiah Smith, the great-grandson of Smithtown founder Richard Smyth. The property , with the house that stands there now being built in 1856.

These days, the mansion is in heavy decay and is even infested with bees in one of its main support columns.

Despite its historical significance, Longobardi said he's never spoken with the Smithtown Historical Society about preservation possibilities for the 3.2 acre estate.

Since Patch first profiled the property as part of our series on abandoned structures in town, we've received many emails and comments from people who would like to see the house restored.

But Robert Tango, who lived on Teapot Lane directly behind the Ebo Hill property for most of his life before moving to Florida, said he wants more than anyone to see it fixed.

"I can tell you from first-hand experience the inside is amazing. You really get transported back in time with the ballroom off the main entrance, the sweeping staircase, etc.," he said in an email. "If only I could rescue her now. Tears my heart out."

Longobardi said Tango is not alone. Throughout the years many people have stopped into his Maple Avenue business to ask about the 15,000-square-foot house, and he's shown it to potential buyers several times, he said.

He's even approached the town about building an assisted living facility there, he said, though the town's planning director Frank DeRubeis said he didn't know of any formal plans.

Longobardi pays $11,343.29 in taxes on the property, according the Town of Smithtown tax records, and since he's gone through several refinances on the property his mortgage is almost paid off, he said.

"If the price was right, I'd sell it this afternoon."