Jack Shi, a homeowner in Forest Hills, Queens, has embraced his unexpected role as the custodian of 20 Ingram Street, the fictional New York City address of Peter Parker and his Aunt May. Shi purchased the multi-million-dollar property three years ago without realizing its connection to the beloved Marvel superhero.
For decades, the charming property has attracted fans of the Web-Slinger, a trend that continued after the release of recent Spider-Man films. Visitors from around the world, including Ireland, England, and Italy, often stop by to take photographs of the house, which is labeled as "Spider-Man's home" on Google Maps. Shi, a 64-year-old immigrant from China, sees his role as upholding the spirit of America, embodied by Spider-Man.
"If I am living here, I should do as Spider-Man," Shi told The Post. "If someone wants to take a picture, I say yes." He feels a "mild responsibility" to maintain the address's allure, viewing Spider-Man as a symbol of the American spirit.
Shi also receives a heartwarming stream of fan mail addressed to the superhero, including letters and drawings from children. One letter from Julius in South Dakota asked, "Spider-Man, how do you do the things that you do like saving the world?" Another child, Cooper, invited Spider-Man and Deadpool over to play and watch TV. A family in Nebraska even extended an invitation for Spider-Man to attend their son Kannon's fifth birthday party.
Shi expressed his contentment with his unique address, stating, "This is where I wanted to live. It is an exciting place." He also described his neighbors as "good people."
Frank Torres, a resident on the same street for three decades, also encounters occasional inquiries about his home being a "Spider House," despite film depictions of Spider-Man's haunts being closer to Astoria and Long Island City. Torres noted that the original families who lived at 20 Ingram Street were named Parker, suggesting a direct inspiration for the comic book storyline. He also mentioned that a neighbor with the surname Osborne was playfully linked by residents to the Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, though the family was known for their kindness.
