new york real estate

Harris Manor Gets $1 Million Price Cut

Filed under: Estates

Browsing through listings today I came across a price cut for one of the grand mansions of Brookville, New York. The area is home to many estates including this one, the historic Harris mansion. The 1929 manor house was built for Henry Upham Harris, a partner at J.P. Morgan. Architect Roger Bullard created the home which is made of stone taken from the excavation of New York City's subway system tunnels. The 31-acre property has a three-bedroom cottage, gatehouse, green house, pool and tennis courts. The main house has eight bedrooms. Listing pictures show carved woodwork details, stone floors and leaded glass windows. When it was our estate of the day last summer it was listed at $12.9 million but it is now a million less at $11.9 million.

Gallery: Harris Manor

Tags: brookville, harris manor, new york real estate, real estate price cuts

Old Westbury, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Newsday's Rich Cribs column led me to today's property, a home for sale in Old Westbury, New York. The home was built in 2003 but the land was originally part of the Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney estate and the home itself reflects an earlier era. Features include high ceilings with thick molding and handpainted murals of scenic landscapes in the dining room. Flowered wallpaper, chintz, antique rugs and botanical prints on the walls also help give this new home a more classic feel. The seven-bedroom home is on 3.9 acres and backs up to the Old Westbury Country Club golf course. The gardens have an enclosed hot tub, pergola, fountainwall and outdoor kitchen. The home also includes a fully built out lower level which currently looks to be in use as a rehearsal space for musicians. This home is listed at $5.5 million.

Gallery: Old Westbury

Tags: estate of the day, new york real estate, old westbury

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Selling New York Season Two Debuts This Week

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Real estate watchers get ready, the second season of HGTV's hit TV show, Selling New York, premieres this Thursday, January 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. This season will continue to follow the fast-talking, fast-dealing brokers from CORE, as they navigate high-powered world of buying and selling luxury Manhattan homes. The series' second season features the agents' ongoing efforts to keep sales moving, despite jaded buyers and intense competition in the challenging New York City market. This season has CORE using some unique tactics to sell these luxury properties including inviting an interior designer to project 3-D renderings in each room of a Gramercy Penthouse to show the space's potential and tapping into the artistic community of DUMBO in Brooklyn in order to sell a local penthouse. "Selling New York really captures the hard work and integrity of our agents," notes CORE CEO Shaun Osher. "Season Two will offer viewers not only a glimpse into more spectacular homes, but provides insight into some of the marketing strategies that we employ to close a deal."

Tags: dell, hgtv, new york real estate

Taghkanic House, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home is an architectural treasure on 350 acres that represents the work of both a skilled architect and a landscape designer. This home overlooking hills and fields of the Hudson Valley, includes a glass-and-steel 1800 sq.ft. pavilion designed by architect Tom Phifer. A 7,000 sq.ft. substructure has six bedrooms, study, media room, kitchen, breakfast room, wine cellar, refrigerated cheese room, indoor pool and service area all built into a hill. The home get east and west sunlight from windows at either end as well as skylights above.

Garden designer Dan Kiley created a landscape of ponds and plantings, clipped lawns and mowed fields. There is a tennis court, an outside pool, a bocce court, an organic vegetable garden and a three bedroom guest house. The land itself is protected by conservation easements. This home is listed at $9.75 million.

Gallery: Taghkanic House

Tags: dan kiley, estate of the day, new york real estate, taghkanic house, tom phifer

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Stone Bridge Farms, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Saratoga Springs is famous for horse racing and it's hard to find an equestrian property in the area more ready for horses than Stone Bridge Farms. The estate is a thoroughbred breeding and training facility. The property is three parcels together, a total of more than 425 acres near Saratoga Springs.

There are two parcels currently being utilized for the broodmare operation that measure approximately 335 acres total. That property contains two 12-stall broodmare barns with modern foaling facilities, a 24-stall yearling barn, round barn, mega-dome arena, 27 paddocks, run-in sheds, including two large sheds with four stalls each, and two residences. A 92-acre parcel includes the Georgian Neo-classical main residence and the Cape style guest house. It's also home to the only year-round operating synthetic track on the east coast, an indoor riding arena, 2 enclosed eurosizers, 47 stalls, 31 paddocks of which 17 are covered. The entire property is priced at $13.5 million, with the 92-acre parcel available separately for $7 million.

Gallery: Stone Bridge Farm

Tags: equestrian, equestrian estate, equestrian property, estate of the day, new york real estate, saratoga springs

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Has Brooke Astor's Co-Op Finally Sold?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

We've been watching this once since 2008 but could Brooke Astor's New York City co-op at 778 Park Avenue finally have a buyer? Mrs. Astor, who died at the age of 105 in 2007 was one of the grand dames of New York society. Her home at 778 Park Avenue is considered to be an exceedingly prime New York co-op and it first hit the market for the wallet-busting price of $46 million but the NY Post's Jennifer Gould Keil reports that it could be selling for a price that is "in the high teens" less than half of the original list price.

The five-bedroom apartment has high ceilings, six terraces and five wood-burning fireplaces. A reception gallery with a wet bar, leads to a living room with a wood-burning fireplace and views up and down Park Avenue. According to the Post, the Upper East Side building's co-op board hasn't accepted the bid yet and so the duplex on the 15th and 16th floors of the classic 1931 Rosario Candela building is still being shown in hopes of boosting the price over the $20 million mark.

Gallery: Brooke Astor's Co-op

Tags: brooke astor, new york city real estate, new york real estate

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10 Most Expensive Properties Listed for Sale in 2010

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Wasn't 2010 the year that we rejected our gluttonous spending ways, when we convinced ourselves that less was more and that Dante intended to have a circle for those who couldn't make do with any fewer than five bathrooms? Well, no doubt the following homeowners just want to join the downsizing party.

Presenting, the Luxist List of the 10 Most Expensive Properties on the Market in 2010. (An asterisk or two: Some of these listings are holdovers from 2009, one even from 2006. And while it's inconceivable that a publicly listed home in this price bracket would escape our attention, frequently homes are available as pocket listings -- the owner will sell them for the right price, but oh-so-quietly.)

1) The Manor -- or aka, Candyland, as the Candy Spelling mansion is dubbed. On the market at $150 million for eons now, the mistress of the mansion appears unwilling to bequeath the title of "most expensive home in America" to anyone else. Fair enough. But unless the frog she kisses turns into a Saudi prince, we fear this palace will be heading our list in 2011 too.
Besides, in this new era of austerity, what does one woman really need with 123 rooms and 56,500-square feet? It's the largest home in Los Angeles County and was built by Candy and her deceased husband Aaron Spelling, the entertainment mogul who created -- among other things -- "Beverly Hills 90290" that starred their daughter Tori Spelling. The two-story house has a level between the second story and the attic that is just for closets. There is a screening room, bowling alley, three rooms for wrapping presents and a parking lot for 100 cars. Oprah is said to have looked but if she did, she didn't buy. Listing agent: Jeff Hyland of Hilton & Hyland in Beverly Hills, who shares it with partner Rick Hilton and Coldwell Banker agent Sally Forster Jones.

Gallery: The Spelling Manor

Tags: california real estate, florida real estate, luxury real estate, most expensive homes, nevada real estate, new york real estate

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Canoe Hill, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Canoe Hill in Millbrook, New York is a stately country house on 64 acres. The main home is an original early farmhouse that was handsomely renovated and expanded in 2005. The home has large rooms designed for modern residents. The kitchen is spacious with fireplace seating and a sunny dining area. There is also an outside rotunda with a fireplace that can be accessed from the living room.The two-story great room has a large floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. The six-bedroom home has a total of eight fireplaces. The property includes a guest house with two bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court lit for night play. This home is listed at $7.6 million.

Gallery: Canoe Hill

Tags: canoe hill, estate of the day, millbrook, millbrook new york, new york real estate

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"The Godfather" Home, Staten Island, N.Y., Estate of the Day

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

The outside of this Staten Island, N.Y., English Tudor was used to portray Don Corleone's residence in the classic 1972 film The Godfather. The home is in Staten Island's Todt Hill / Emerson Hill section, known for its large, pretty homes and good-sized lots. This home is surrounded by park-like grounds and inside boasts 12 rooms that comprise 8 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 1 half-bath, 1 three-quarter-bath, 2 fireplaces, and an English pub basement that includes a rec room and a storage room. There's also a living room, formal dining room, den, butler's pantry, and a laundry room with a chute from all three above-ground floors. Need more space? There's also a 4-car garage. For outdoor living, there's an in-ground pool.

This home has some personal meaning for me. I grew up right near it, and the band that played in the opening scene at daughter Connie's wedding played at my parents' wedding. My parents also like to tell the story about how they and some neighbors hung out near the home during the filming one day and were given some cookies, albeit stale, from the wedding scene.

Judging from the photos, the owners didn't bother to hire a professional stager, or even clean up much. The home appears to have good bones but needs needs refreshing and updating. It's listed for $2.9 million with Connie Profaci Realty. Check the link on her site for more photos.

We must thank sharp-eyed reader Caroline R. for telling us about this iconic home for being for sale. She sums it up well: "Considering the house's history it would make an exciting 'Estate of the Day' for the film buff, the gangster aficionado, or a real-life wannabe Don Corleone."

Gallery: The Godfather Home in Staten Island, NY

Tags: estate, Estate of the Day, Godfather, home prices, New York, new york real estate, Staten Island, The Godfather

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Harrison Ford Lists His NYC Apartment

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

It looks like Harrison Ford is moving on. Curbed NY reports that Ford's 5,500-square-foot penthouse loft at 206 West 17th Street has hit the market for $16 million. The building was converted by developer Cary Tamarkin into 11 raw full-floor lofts. Ford bought this home near the start of 2002 for around $5.3 million. Ford and his wife Calista Flockhart own residences in Los Angeles and Wyoming.

The listing says that the penthouse has a keyed elevator that brings you into a vestibule. The apartment has anigre wood and poured concrete radiant heated floors and four exposures offer beautiful views. The living room/dining room has a wood burning fire place and a kitchen with stainless steel, custom anigre wood cabinetry and soapstone countertops. There is a dining area and a den flowing off of the kitchen. The master bedroom suite has a dressing room and bath. There is also a library/bedroom, three additional bedrooms, a home office, a home gym, 4.5 baths and laundry room complete this level. Up above there is a private roof terrace which is approximately 2,330 square feet and offers amazing views of Manhattan, the Hudson River and beyond.

Gallery: Harrison Ford's NYC Apartment

Tags: celebrity real estate, harrison ford, new york city, new york real estate

Pound Ridge, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home is paradise for the horse aficionado. It's an equestrian estate on 96 acres in New York's Westchester County area. The Wall Street Journal reported that the home belongs to Lee Vogelstein, who owns a dance school. The property's horse-friendly facilities include a barn, 20 stalls, an indoor arena, outdoor ring, wash stalls and a viewing/ tack room with a full kitchen, dressing room, and full bathroom. There is also a three-bedroom manager's apartment. There is plenty of room to roam, the property is surrounded by 4,000 acres of protected land. The main home is a six-bedroom house with a tennis court, gazebo and pool. The estate is surrounded by 4,000 acres of protected land. This home is listed at $18.995 million.

Gallery: Pound Ridge

Tags: estate of the day, new york real estate, pound ridge, westchester county

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535 West End Avenue, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

On the 16th floor of 535 West End Avenue in New York City you'll find this six-bedroom sprawler. The apartment is one of only two apartments in the building with private outdoor space. It has an approximately 1,800 square-foot wrap terrace that curves around the unit offering a real place to move around and get some air.

The over 6,600 square feet of interior space opens with a grand gallery off a private landing. The gallery leads to the oversized living room, formal dining room and the library. The kitchen has an adjacent den for dining or just hanging out.

The master bedroom suite has direct access to the terrace and is a private retreat with a sitting room, walk in closets and a pair of bathrooms with radiant heat in the floors. Across from the rear entrance, a staff room has river views and an en-suite bath. There is also a laundry room with a large side by side washer and dryer and soaking sink. The home has hardwood floors, large new windows, natural stone bathrooms and the latest appliances.

Building amenities include a garage, common courtyard, party room with catering kitchen, state of the art gym, recreation room, and a heated indoor swimming pool with mens' and womens' lockers rooms, each with steam room. This home is listed at $19.9 million by Lisa Lippman of Brown Harris Stevens.

Gallery: 535 West End Avenue

Tags: estate of the day, manhattan real estate, new york real estate

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Northern Blvd., Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home on New York's Gold Coast is a stately brick Georgian built in 1923. The home was built by architect James W. O' Connor for John F. Bermingham, the former mayor of the town it is located in, Muttontown. The home was restored in 2004 and an addition added 14,000 square feet of space including a 17-seat movie theater. Listing agent Anna Alyskewycz of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate told Newsday that the new wing was built to match the opposite wing to preserve the appearance of the home's exterior. The six-bedroom home also has a new kitchen, a ballroom, a wine cellar and a gym. The home is on 7.17-acres with a pool and poolhouse, a tennis court, two cottages, a nine-car garage and a four-car garage. It is listed at $15.5 million.

Gallery: Northern Blvd

Tags: estate of the day, muttontown, new york real estate

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Lord's Castle, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

The first president of the Erie Railroad, Eleazar Lord, had today's home, a stone castle built for him in Piermont, New York. The Victorian mansion in Piermont was originally called "The Cedars" but is known to locals as "the castle."

It was built circa 1892 and designed by legendary architecture firm McKim, Mead & White, The 15,000 square foot main home is on over 18 acres with a separate cottage, two-story barn with classic cupola and in-ground pool. The beautiful older home has ornate moldings, coffered ceilings, and a grand staircase. The listing pictures are a bit dark but show leaded glass windows, columns, original fireplace mantels. The lower level includes a billiards room, a huge old style walk-in safe, walk-in ice box room, a prep kitchen with dumb waiter and second large kitchen with original wood stove. This home is listed at $9.5 million.

Gallery: Lord's Castle

Tags: estate of the day, mckim, new york, new york real estate, piermont, piermont new york

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Coco Rocha Drops The Price Of Her Gramercy Park Apartment

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Young model Coca Rocha is looking to make a deal. The 22-year-old cover girl listed her two-bedroom apartment in New York's Gramercy Park-area back in August for $1.65 million. The unit on East 23rd Street is now listed at $1.59 million with Jared Seligman of Prudential Douglas Elliman. The NY Times reports that Rocha would like to sell so she and her husband, artist James Conran, can move to Brooklyn. They are looking for a loft in Williamsburg.

The corner apartment has two bathrooms and two outdoor spaces, a 464 square-foot planted terrace and a 67 square-foot balcony. A windowed kitchen with views onto the expansive terrace has stainless steel appliances The south/east exposures and oversized windows fill the kitchen and living room with light. The master bedroom has a large closet. Building amenities include a full-time doorman, concierge, residents' lounge with patio terrace, bike storage and a fitness center.

Gallery: Coco Rocha in Gramercy Park