On the Hudson River in Athens, N.Y., the grounds of this 1823 Greek Revival manor touch the water’s edge, with 350 feet of rare riparian (riverbank) rights included. In pristine condition and surrounded by park-like grounds and gardens, this fine example of timeless architecture, asking $1.7 million, offers a chance to remember a past era in a home equipped for modern living (h/t CIRCA).
Getting Away
Cool Listings, Quirky Homes, Upstate
Lucky for him, this “Lord of the Rings” superfan is a civil engineer who works in construction, so when he had the urge to build his very own hobbit house in the Dutchess County town of Pawling, it wasn’t just a pipe dream. After spending more than six years constructing the residence, and even building it to Passive House standards, Jim Castigan has put the home on the market for $795,000, according to Gothamist. In addition to being built right into a hillside, the home shares other details with its Tolkien inspiration BagEnd, such as faux circular door and geometric patterns etched into the interior concrete.
Architecture, Connecticut, Cool Listings, Starchitecture
The stories behind some of New Canaan, Connecticut’s treasure trove of modernist homes have been less than uplifting. In addition to Philip Johnson’s famous Glass House, the wealthy enclave boasts dozens of homes by Johnson and his colleagues known as the Harvard Five. An ongoing battle simmers between some of the town’s wealthy residents who favor sprawling McMansions and a passionate contingent of modern architecture fans. At least 20 of the homes, built in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s–have been torn down, usually to build larger houses on the property. One embattled example is a lesser-known Johnson house known as the Alice Ball House. The 1,700-square-foot home, built in 1953, has been referred to as a “livable version of the Glass House.” And it’s now for sale for $7.7 million–along with approved plans by the current owner, an architect who has envisioned a companion property on a much grander scale, including an indoor pool and a massive skylit underground garage.
Cool Listings, Upstate
Located in the upstate wilderness of Armonk in Westchester County, this 13.5-acre estate is as cool as it is unusual. Asking $3 million, the property includes a nine-acre private lake, a 5,500-square-foot mid-century-modern home built in 1959, and a private windmill, all just 45 minutes from New York City.
Design, Green Design, Hamptons
This five-acre waterfront family getaway on the Hamptons’ Peconic Bay was designed by Manhattan-based firm Mapos with the intention of being sustainable and timeless (h/t Dezeen). The site’s existing tree arrangement was maintained at the request of the family, who were particularly taken by an old Sycamore. So as to not disturb the existing fauna on the property, it was also decided that only unfinished materials would be used in the home, including steel and concrete – painted sheetrock was strictly out – and allowed to naturally patina.
Connecticut, Recent Sales
A private island in Long Island Sound known as Rogers Island just got a new owner, who paid $21.5 million for the seven-acre property off the Connecticut coast. The sellers, a couple of “island collectors” by the name of Christine and Edmund Stoecklein, are bound for the West Coast, according to Mansion Global, unloading their gorgeously landscaped land mass and even lovelier Tudor mansion for less than the $22.3 million they paid for it in 2003, to an anonymous buyer.
Features, Getting Away, NYC Guides
You may have thought NYC’s wildlife predominantly consisted of subway rats and the giant cockroaches that find their way into your apartment each summer, but it appears there’s more to this city’s animals than pests. Indeed, New York is actually full of unique birds, mammals, and insects that help contribute each day to our shared ecosystem. It’s also full of walking tours, boat tours, driving tours, and other activities that’ll give you an opportunity to get a good look at the wildlife around us, both in the city and just outside of it. Here are some of our favorites.
Celebrities, Hamptons, Recent Sales
Pelé image via Flickr.
Brazilian soccer legend Pelé’s former Hamptons beach house recently sold, the New York Post reports. The seven-bedroom home at 156 Waterhole Road in Springs changed hands for $2.85 million, below its most recent ask of $3.25 million. The famous footballer won three World Cups during his career, which ran from the 1950s to the 1970s when he played for the New York Cosmos. Pelé–born Edson Arantes do Nascimento–bought the waterfront ranch house for $156,000 in 1979 and expanded it into its two-story, 3,400-square-foot form. Located on a landscaped acre next to Clearwater Beach and marina, the unassuming-on-the-outside house with sleek, recently renovated interiors also includes a pool, an outdoor shower and deeded access to the beach. Pelé, who is 77, lives in Brazil.
Cool Listings, Hamptons, Interiors
This three-bedroom East Hampton rental on a half-acre of landscaped greenery could be the perfect place to spend an end-of-summer getaway week (h/t Curbed). Dressed to the nines in on-trend decor and fun, fine finishes, this vacation home comes complete with heated pool, grill and outdoor fireplace for $12,000 a week in season or $40,000 a month ($20K after Labor Day).
Celebrities, Cool Listings, Upstate
Beloved former Yankees manager Joe Torre has just put his Putnam County lakefront home up for sale asking $1.39 million, the New York Post reports. Torre, who is now MLB’s chief baseball officer, led the Yanks to four World Series titles. Built in 1936, his shingled, ranch-style lakeside home at 318 West Lake Boulevard in Mahopac, NY offers a definite break from the dugout in the form of stunning panoramic views from every room, a waterfront dining room, and a guest cottage.
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