At the intersection of design and real estate, This Old Hudson sells the romance of life upstate
The Bruyn Estate in Pine Bush, New York, is listed for $1,695,000. All photos courtesy of This Old House
Anthony D’Argenzio did not start his career in real estate. He was a designer and creative director in New York City, producing photo shoots for magazines and brands like West Elm and Anthropologie. He says his brand is “rooted in beautiful things.” And that’s just the approach he takes when selling homes in the Hudson Valley and Catskills — it’s not just about square footage and lot size; it’s about a beautiful life. On social media, This Old Hudson presents more like an interior design brand than a real estate company. The Instagram page dishes out stunning historic homes decked out in design magazine-worthy decor to its 126,000 followers. It tells the homes’ stories and even gives them names. The fact that you can actually buy these houses is a perk.
D’Argenzio bought a second home in the Hudson Valley 10 years ago, and it sparked a passion for the community.
“I would come antiquing for clients and photoshoots, and thought, I want to take my visual brand outside of magazines and digital and create a real-life thing. It happened naturally; I bought the home and then started documenting the renovations,” he said.
The next step was getting his real estate license, which he said came naturally to him. This Old Hudson operates as a boutique operation under Houlihan Lawrence and has a team of 13.
D’Argenzio is a lover of historic farmhouses, “old doors, old floors, texture, patina,” and that is evident in the homes This Old Hudson represents and posts online. But the group deals in all kinds of homes, including new builds and midcentury gems.
And the client base is diverse as well, he said; while many buyers come from the New York City area, people from all over the country are interested in the upstate New York market, which he says is in a “transitional time.”
“For a long time, it was a seller’s market; now it’s in between. A lot of people want to be in this area, and (competition) is property specific — a $550,000 farmhouse will be a unicorn with multiple bids. Properties that need renovating are a little slower, while turnkey is faster,” he explained.
“The urgency of the COVID market has passed, so you can be more thoughtful if you’re spending $2 million…[you’re] buying the most expensive antique you’ve ever bought.”
As far as reasons to consider the Hudson Valley and upstate New York?
“It’s an amazing place,” said D’Argenzio. “I love the architecture and historic, creative soul it has. It’s also a really beautiful community of people who have found this area and are like-minded in the sense of design.”
He added, “people who want a refined, tasteful sense of living have found their way here, and convenience to NYC is a huge driver. I pop down to the city a lot; it’s our lifeline, but [the Hudson Valley] can also stand on its own.”
Take a look at a few homes on the market now:
The Bruyn Estate, Wallkill, NY
$1,695,000
The Bryn Estate, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a 1835 Greek Revival farmhouse with a storied past, according to the listing. “In the 1800s, it was a sheep farm that supplied wool garment materials to Brooks Brothers, and in the 1980s, it was owned by the great-grandson of the founder of Singer Sewing Machines.” It sits on 8.4 acres and has eight bedrooms and six bathrooms. It has a rustic interior with modern updates, and has played host to weddings and retreats, the listing says, adding that it’s been featured on HGTV and the Magnolia Network.
The Isaac Chapman House, Newburgh
$1,275,000
A house that’s been a backdrop in movies and on TV, and was featured on 6sqft, the New York Times, Architectural Digest, and Vogue. The 1855 Queen Anne is perfect for those who want a city vibe without the stress of the concrete jungle, yet with easy access. The beautifully preserved and restored house has eight bedrooms and tons of character, from original hardwood floors to stained glass details. Sit on the veranda and soak in views of the Hudson River.
The Sylvan Ward House, Catskill
$1,275,000
A brand-new build with midcentury vibes, this three-bedroom home is for those who want privacy and to be one with nature. It sits on 18 acres of land and is surrounded by woods. The back porch is a perfect place to sit and enjoy being away from the grind. It was built to be sustainable, energy efficient, and comfortable with a heat pump hot water heater, central HVAC, radiant heat in the upstairs bathrooms, and conduit pre-installed for potential future solar panels, the listing describes.
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