Upstate

October 9, 2018

1823 Greek Revival manor on the Hudson offers life the way it used to be for $1.7M

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).
Take the grand historic tour
October 4, 2018

For $795,000, live out your ‘Lord of the Rings’ fantasies in this energy-efficient hobbit house

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.
Get the scoop
August 6, 2018

This $1.4M Westchester estate was inspired by Versailles

Though it has been, according to the listing, completely renovated for modern living by architect/designer David Easton, this three-bedroom home on eight acres–known as Folie Du Lac–got its inspiration from Versailles and "recalls the romantic 18th century," complete with reclaimed materials imported from France including antique limestone flooring, 18th century paneling and speckled mirrors. The Waccabuc, NY estate is on the market for $1.4 million.
Folie Du Lac, this way
August 2, 2018

Joe Torre’s upstate lake house with a waterfront terrace asks $1.4M

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.
More pictures this way
July 27, 2018

Are barns the next Williamsburg? Millennials head out of NYC to ‘upcycle’ rustic residences

Millennials are masters of upcycling, the practice beyond recycling products and things to not just reuse them but make them better. This trend is now extending to the real estate sector, where we're seeing some pretty spectacular renovations of historic barns into stunning homes. Below are five great examples of upcycling historic barns in a way that modernized the structures and added luxe amenities while honoring the authenticity and origin of the structures. All for sale and all within a few hours drive of New York City, these barn homes can be your country dream - or reality.
Check them all out
July 26, 2018

Moby lists Westchester midcentury stunner for $1.3M with a promise to donate proceeds

Not only is Moby a singer/songwriter, DJ, photographer, vegan restauranteur, and animal rights activist, but he also has an eye for unique real estate. He formerly owned a whimsical replica castle in LA, and in March he dropped $1.24 million on a midcentury-modern stunner in Pound Ridge to be near his childhood home in Darien, Connecticut. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright-disciple David Henken in 1956, the Westchester home has jaw-dropping mahogany interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the woods and a quaint garden, and a swimming pool. But after realizing that he's still spending most of his time on the west coast, he re-listed the property for $1.3 million, according to Curbed. And in true Moby fashion, he took to Instagram to say that he'll be donating proceeds from the sale to animal rights causes and progressive political candidates.
You don't want to miss this one
July 19, 2018

Top 10 architecture day trips just outside NYC for Modernism lovers

Summer is the perfect time to get out of town and explore what's beyond the borders of the city. While there is certainly no shortage of nature escapes and historic hideouts nearby, just outside of Manhattan in about every direction are also numerous modernist treasures to admire. Ahead is 6sqft's round-up of the 10 best destinations for architecture enthusiasts with a penchant for modern design.
see them all here
July 19, 2018

Stunning 35-room estate with a private beach is asking $19M just outside NYC

Prepare to be stunned by this waterfront mansion that's just hit the market within commuting distance of New York City. The 35-room Westchester estate, appropriately named "All View" by its original 19th-century owner, sits grandly atop a three-acre peninsula jutting out into the Long Island Sound. The grounds (conceived of by Central Park and Prospect Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted) do not disappoint; neither does the house, which is full of historic details but has also received modern -- and a few whimsical -- renovations. It now boasts 13 bedrooms, nine wood-burning fireplaces, three kitchens, and a new geothermal heat and air conditioning system. The best part? Every single room offers a view of the water.
You have to see inside
July 3, 2018

Jackie Gleason’s circular “mothership” mansion in Westchester is on the market for $12M

"Honeymooners" star and comedy legend Jackie Gleason kept an architecturally remarkable round house in Westchester County, using it as an escape while filming the iconic sitcom; now it's for sale as part of an estate listed for $12 million, the New York Post reports. Gleason was a UFO lover who referred to the home, which is circular inside and out as "The Mothership."
Have a look a-round
June 28, 2018

Young professionals in Yonkers: How the city’s redevelopment plan targets millennials

Photo via Dennis Fraevich's Flickr Located on the Hudson River adjacent to New York City's northern border, Yonkers is the third-largest city in the state with nearly 200,000 residents. And with five major highways, two commuter train lines that are just a 28-minute trip to Grand Central, and the highest number of bus lines in Westchester County, it's no surprise that many are going bonkers for Yonkers. Phillip Gesue, chief officer of development at Strategic Capital, the developer of the Hudson Park residential project, told 6sqft that Yonkers is in transition. "Unlike Manhattan, which is, perhaps, over-baked, Yonkers is an affordable place to live and play," Gesue said. "It has people who have been living here a long time and new transplants who largely want to work in New York City. There is a growing population, development momentum and job growth.” Ahead, find out how officials are working to attract millennials, get a breakdown of all Yonkers' new developments, and learn why there's a lot more to do here than you might think.
Get the Yonkers low-down
June 27, 2018

Derek Jeter lists lakefront ‘castle’ with four kitchens and a Statue of Liberty replica for $15M

While owning a waterfront castle might seem presumptuous even for the former Yankee captain and current Miami Marlins owner, this 50,000-square-foot upstate compound on four acres at 14 Lake Shore Road in Greenwood Lake, NY, was more than just a random luxury buy. Tiedemann Castle, as it is known, has a family history for Jeter: According to the New York Post, his grandfather Sonny Connors, adopted son of John and Julia Tiedemann, who purchased it in 1952, was raised on the property. Jeter bought the estate 15 years ago for $425,000, so even after being "lovingly restored, with unparalleled attention to detail," the current $14.75 million price tag is a hefty hike.
More astounding vistas this way
June 20, 2018

This rustic Finger Lakes cabin and taxidermy factory on 90 acres could be yours for just $1M

Located near the remote Ithaca-area village of Van Etten, NY, is a genuine, authentic, real live (or, mostly not) taxidermy factory for sale, asking $1.05 million. You don’t see a listing for a stuffed fauna foundry every day, but this one, it turns out, is enough to cover all the days. The 90-acre parcel in the heart of the state's Finger Lakes region includes a 2,927-square-foot classic log-and-stone three-home with hillside views. Also on the property are a tiny cottage overlooking a two-acre pond, 20 acres of fenced pastures, 70 acres of hardwood forest, an orchard, a fenced garden, a pole barn with tack room and an outdoor arena, a garage, and a woodshed–plus a workshop and office (more about those later).
Now, about that wildlife
June 18, 2018

‘Real Housewife’ Luann De Lesseps is selling her Hamptons home for $6.3M to move upstate

Back in 2017 6sqft reported on the growing trend that saw celebrities and the well-heeled-and-hip ditching the hamptons for upstate and Catskills getaways. "Real Housewives of New York" regular Luann De Lesseps must have just gotten the memo; she's put her Sag Harbor house on the market for $6.25 million–and she's asking $150,000 in rent for the place during August. The New York Post quotes a friend of the former countess: “She loves the Hamptons, and her house, but it’s time for a change. The Hamptons is changing, and she’s looking elsewhere to summer. She’s in love with the Catskills.”
Find out what she's leaving behind
June 15, 2018

Rosie O’Donnell’s former Nyack mansion is asking a ‘Pretty Penny’ at $4.75M

"Pretty Penny," the elegant, former Nyack mansion of Helen Hayes, for 61 years, and Rosie O'Donnell, for four years, has hosted its share of celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier, Katharine Hepburn, Vivien Leigh, Russell Crowe, and Madonna, to name a few. Just 22 miles from NYC, the 1858 wedding cake-style Italianate Victorian with stunning Hudson River views has hit the market for $4,750,000, after trying to sell for the past five years. In addition to the celebrity pedigree, a lucky new owner will also get 6,000 square feet dripping with period details, a 60-foot Olympic-style pool, and incredible landscaped grounds with terraced gardens, a koi pond, and more.
You don't want to miss these interiors
June 14, 2018

Tom Brokaw lists 56-acre Westchester family compound on a private lake for $6.3M

Newscaster/household name Tom Brokaw has listed the 56-acre estate in Pound Ridge, NY that he and his wife, Meredith Auld, have owned for nearly 20 years, The Real Deal reports. The listing, asking $6.3 million, appeared on Tuesday according to property records. The family compound includes a 4,000-square-foot main house, a pool house and a caretaker's cottage, all on a private five-acre lake.
Take a 56-acre tour
June 12, 2018

An ornate 25-acre estate in Hudson Valley with ice rink and sculpture garden asks $30M

A massive, wildly decorated within an inch of its life, nine-bedroom, 11-bathroom, five-and-a-half-bath, approximately 32,000-square-foot home is for sale in Wappinger Falls. Referred to as the "Fifth Avenue of Country Living," this sprawling 25-acre estate is asking $30 million. With a sculpture garden, basketball and tennis courts, swimming pool with two cabanas, 8,000-square-foot veranda, three playgrounds, private guest cottages and an ice rink and more, this compound is truly unique.
Take a tour
June 11, 2018

Historic two-bedroom home in celebrity-enclave Snedens Landing asks less than $1M

This beautiful 1854 stone and clapboard home once belonged to a Hudson River boat captain named Henry Dobbs. The home has charm and elegance from a bygone era. With a backyard where fairytales are inspired, the house has been painstakingly renovated throughout the years to maintain its historic integrity and beauty. Filled with original details, wood burning fireplaces, wide board floors, shiplap walls and more, the house at 63 Washington Spring Road, is asking $925,000.
Take a tour
May 30, 2018

10 glorious glamping sites near New York City

Glamour camping--combining luxury with minimalism--is all the rage. While you might have to get yourself a bit outside the big city to enjoy such a getaway, there are plenty of spots not too far afield. And whether they are fully off-the-grid or just feel like it, they'll restore your mind and spirit as you return to nature but don't have to give up your high thread count sheets, wifi or working showers. From a mobile tiny house to a geodesic dome to a horse farm tipi, we've rounded up 10 of the best glamping resorts near NYC.
Check out the list
May 29, 2018

Catch a dream in this Catskills tipi for $145 a night, fireflies included

The Sioux definitely knew what they were doing when it came to creating year-round homes tucked away in awe-inspiring nature. The Bellfire Teepee in the Meeker Hollow in Roxbury, NY, available via Airbnb for $145 a night, is a magical way to appreciate those micro-living skills from long ago while stargazing on a 10-acre property bordering miles of forest. The owners of this cozy escape, a pair of Brooklyn expat artists, chose the location "with privacy and tranquility in mind." Their farmhouse is 500 feet away, so there's no need to feel lost in the woods, but you're nestled between a creek, maple trees and a wildflower field, just in case you actually want to feel lost in the woods.
See more of this magical getaway
May 25, 2018

Go camping among the trees in this $195/night treehouse in Upstate New York

Trade the racket of cars honking and music blaring, for the blissful sounds of whispering wind and singing birds at this charming airbnb getaway in Upstate New York. Not only is this rental off-the-grid (there is no WiFi or electricity), it's located in an actual treehouse. What the pad lacks in modern convenience, it makes up for in rustic charm and natural ambience. Located in the rural Upstate neighborhood of Argyle, the treehouse, called the Whispering Wind Treehouse on its listing, can accommodate two guests in its one bedroom, starting at $195 per night.
Take a look around
May 23, 2018

Go off-the-grid glamping at the Catskills’ Eastwind Hotel

Off-the-grid, A-frame huts are all the rage in the Catskills. Last week, we wrote about Bjarke Ingels'  triangular prefab "inspired by the Catskills." Now, another appearance makes the news as the Eastwind Hotel reopens June 1st. Just two hours north of New York City, Eastwind was originally built in the 1920s as a bunkhouse for hunters, fly fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts. The hotel reopens in a few weeks with 19 rooms and three A-frame, glamping huts nestled in the woods.
Get a look around
May 22, 2018

Go off the grid in a Catskills shipping container for $165 per night

Photo via Contanium listing on Airbnb Just think if it as a Vipp Shelter for the rest of us. This woodsy take on the tiny dwelling, "Contanium," available through Airbnb and situated in Saugerties, NY, is actually a shipping container, so you get to experience the trifecta of tiny house, off-the-grid living and inhabiting a shipping container, all at once. Offerings at this particular shipping container cabin sound almost like the amenities menu at a trendy Downtown condo: There's a wood stove, sofa bed, kitchenette, writing desk, record player, patio, fire ring, yoga platform, hot tub and hammock. The off-the-grid part means the power is solar, there's a composting toilet and gravity-feed water.
What you'll find within
May 17, 2018

Bjarke Ingels reveals off-grid tiny house in the Catskills

Bjarke Ingels is everywhere. Literally. Three weeks ago, we wrote about his new design for 2 Penn Plaza. Two weeks ago, we wrote about his amazing XI sales gallery experience with the stage designer Es Devlin. Last week, it was his new role as Chief Architect at WeWork. And now, BIG has just announced Bjarke built an off-the-grid triangular tiny house in the Catskills with designer and interior architect Soren Rose. (Does this rockstarchitect ever sleep?) Bjarke Ingels Group shared with 6sqft this exclusive set of photos of the mini modern abode, which blends the A-frame architecture of the upstate area with a Nordic aesthetic.
Lots more details and renderings ahead
April 18, 2018

New RPA report calls for combining LIRR, NJ Transit and Metro-North into one rail network

When NYC's three commuter railroads--the Long Island Railroad, New Jersey Transit, and Metro-North--were built more than a century ago when the metropolitan area was less than half its current size. Today, the systems are crumbling, both in their physical infrastructure and politics. The latest suggestion for how to fix the issues comes from a new Regional Plan Association report that wants to take advantage of the fact that these railroads "share an amalgamation of rail lines" and thereby create one integrated regional rail network. Dubbed T-REX, short for Trans-Regional Express, the 30-year, $71.4 billion proposal would add 60 new train stations and more than 200 miles of new tracks.
We break it down
April 12, 2018

For just $3M, you can own this entire upstate island

On a few rare occasions 6sqft has featured amazing private islands, some storied, some small–and generally for sale. Most of us dream of living on their own private island at least occasionally, and these amazing listings give us a room-by-room tour and waterfront view. Somewhere between the tiny and the impossibly grand, Whiskey Island looks an awful lot like the average private island fantasy. You can buy the 3.10 acre dream; or, if you haven't got $2.95 million, you can rent the dream on a weekly basis for family getaways or events.
More dreamy photos this way
April 3, 2018

15 art museums outside NYC worth the trip

New York City is filled with amazing art so why go any further? Because there are some spectacular museums with extraordinary collections set in nearby locales that demand attention. Art can be appreciated for the work itself but taken within its context and history, it can be so much more. 6sqft found a variety of incredibly interesting art destinations in the tri-state area that are worth a trip. Perhaps when planning your next staycation or day-trip, choose one of these museums to set your itinerary.
Check out our list of the top 15