Own your very own private island that feels like it’s a million miles away, or at least off the coast of Maine, but is actually off the shore of Connecticut for only $4.9 million (h/t Mansion Global). With the not-at-all charming name of Potato Island, named for a group of potato-looking boulders near the shore (you say potato, we say po-tentially change that name!), this private island is part of the Thimble Islands, an archipelago of small islands, 23 of which are inhabitable, in the Long Island Sound in and around the harbor of Stony Creek in the southeast corner of Branford, Connecticut.

Get a look at island life

Originally built in 1904, “Orient Lodge” is a restored Arts and Crafts compound on Saw Mill Pond that looks like it belongs on an Adirondack lake. The original 40-acre lot housed a saw and grist mill, dating from 1825. Legend has it that the owner cut down chestnut trees on the site to build the house. The lot has since been reduced to just over two acres but it still has an estate feel and is now up for sale asking $1,950,000 (h/t CIRCA). Not only will that get you the three-story main house–which has been fittingly outfitted with historic Asian features–but a detached two-car garage with deck, a separate cottage, and the original landscaping.

Tour the whole property

A listing broker for this 1848 former local firehouse told the Wall Street Journal that its $5.5 million asking price was “aspirational,” but the neighborhood certainly has changed since its owner purchased the three-story, 3,500 square-foot converted townhouse in 1981 for $115,000. Long Island City turned fancy and this Federal-style firehouse got an architect-led overhaul that gave it three bedrooms, a 17-foot vaulted ceiling, a home office/library, a garden, a terrace, a garage, an elevator, and a sliding glass wall.

Hop in the elevator, take the tour

Not only did Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Norman Mailer write several of his well-known novels including “The Executioner’s Song” and “Ancient Evenings” while living on the top floor of this landmarked 1840 townhouse at 142 Columbia Heights, the author transformed the space to resemble a ship, complete with a double-height glass and wood atrium and a smooth wood ceiling that recalled a sailboat’s curves. This unique property, now on the market for $2.4 million, spans 1,636 square feet, and features multiple outdoor terraces with sweeping views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. The sale also includes a separate one-bedroom unit on the third floor.

But there’s more

Tucked away in the prime line of the captivating Castle Village co-op at 260 Cabrini Boulevard in Hudson Heights, this two-bedroom home is blessed with high-bluff vistas and a riot of colorful interiors that qualifies it as, to quote the listing, a “residential work-of-art.” Even without its definitely-non-beige decor, the light and views in every room make this unique home a one-of-a-kind oasis even in a city of millions,

Take a whirlwind tour

For such a stereotypically well-off and elegant neighborhood, the Upper West Side certainly has its share of much-less-than-glamorous listings. A couple months ago, we featured a 68-square-foot (yes, you read that right) SRO with a communal bathroom that was asking a whopping $950 a month. Now, a similarly dismal pad has hit the market asking $1,000 a month (h/t Brick Underground)! Though the listing doesn’t reveal its square footage, it does make sure to specify, “this is not a studio it is a single room” and that it has a shared bathroom. But it also is quick to gloat that the “dorm-style” home comes with a mini fridge and hot plate.

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An enormous north-facing skylight is the focal point of this sprawling 3,000-square-foot loft at 60 West 15th Street on the border between Chelsea and the Flatiron District. Currently, the quirky artist’s quarters is also home to a large studio area, which, along with 11-foot ceilings, exposed brick and beams, and a very cool floating library cube adds to the ultra-creative vibe of the co-op, which is asking $3.995 million.

There are some things we can’t figure out here

This palatial Long Island mansion has been named Maison des Jardins–or, “house of gardens”–and it’s been closely modeled after the Palace of Versailles. According to Mansion Global, entrepreneur Raphael Yakoby “developed a love for everything French when he started his business there.” And so, he spent $3.25 million in 2010 for an 8.4-acre plot in Old Brookville and started building his dream palace. It really looks like something out of a dream, with 22-foot-high iron gates, gardens, and courtyards. Inside, over 22,000 square feet, there are eight bedrooms, a grand ballroom, $2.5 million of Baccarat crystal chandeliers, six 19-century marble fireplaces, and imported furniture, fixtures, and fabrics.

You’ve gotta see this

This historic 19th century building was once home to a German Lutheran church–and now it’s the site of a super-cool live music venue and recording studio in upstate New York. Located in the charming town of Hudson, at 21 North 6th Street, the space now offers a buyer some unique opportunities. At an ask of $1.59 million, the listing says, “with certificate of occupancy allowing for both commercial and residential use, this remarkable property can also be reimagined and adapted for any number of commercial uses like a concert hall or an event space, a live and work space for artists, or a phenomenal private residence.” One thing’s for sure, the bones of this former house of worship–including everything from a spiral staircase to stained glass–are unbeatable.

Look around

There is perhaps no greater testament to New York City’s appeal than the abundance of itty bitty, overpriced apartments in appealing neighborhoods. And this Upper West Side residence might just take the cake. The lister of the SRO at 148 West 70th Street at least appreciates how ridiculous the setup is. The apartment, located an avenue and a half from Central Park, is a measly 68 square feet – “yup you read that right,” the listing reads. A fifth-floor walkup in a brownstone with a communal bathroom, the apartment is renting for a whopping $950/month.

Step inside, if you can fit