Palmer Road Retail Building Approved Plus This Week's Home Sales

The last meeting of the Board of Architectural Review chaired by Maggie Stern included discussions about the design of the new retail building at 1 Palmer Avenue and several private home renovations and the final review of the design for the new retail building at 1 Palmer Avenue.

An architect from Perkins Eastman presented a revised design of the new retail building at 1 Palmer Avenue. At a previous meeting the BAR had asked the architect to create a design with a more historical look to relate to the rest of the neighborhood. The architect returned to the meeting with a rendering of an enlarged window above the entrance and the addition of half timbers on the façade to mimic the Tudor style buildings at the Five Corners.

However, after some discussion, it was decided that the timbers detracted from the design and the BAR moved to approve the building without them. It should also be noted that main entrance to the building is now facing the current Balducci’s parking lot. Since the entry and exit to the lot will be via Secor Road, the new tenants requested that the entrance be moved adjacent to the parking lot, rather than at the intersection of Heathcote and Palmer Roads as originally planned.

Though the name of the tenant was not revealed, it was reported that the tenant would rent the entire space, which is 11,000 square feet.

50 Ogden Road

A neighbor, Karen Zachem, attended the hearing and voiced her concern about the proposed building materials and lack of trees to screen the house. She called the house a “faux Tudor” and feared that the new house would “change the whole feel of the neighborhood.” The BAR chairman said that the builders are making a “substantial investment in materials” and that the design now looks “authentic.” The BAR approved the revised plans.

In other real estate news, here are two homes that recently changed hands – one to be demolished:

Proposed New Home at 26 Innes Road

List Price: $2,590,000
Sale Price: $2,375,000
Real Estate Taxes: n/a

Here is a picture of the home currently on the lot at 26 Innes Road:

26 Innes Road

24 Richbell Road: This white stucco home built in 1926 was recently approved for demolition by the Committee for Historic Preservation. Here is a description of the home as it was:

Quality built 1926 home located on almost two acres in the heart of Murray Hill with inground swimming pool and three patios. This home has a wonderful layout, gracious sized rooms, 8 bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths. Entrance Foyer is front to back with double dutch doors, sunken living room with fireplace, library with floor to ceiling bookshelves.

24 Richbell Road will be demolished

List Price: $3,995,000
Sale Price: $3,625,000
Real Estate Taxes: $61,528

71 Griffen Avenue: Seven Acres in Quaker Ridge: Rare opportunity to purchase 7 plus acres of natural serenity and privacy. Exceptional views of pond and pool from mid-century modern home with walls of glass to outdoors. Landscaping includes bridge over the Sheldrake River. No subdivision. A new residence can be built. Deed restrictions apply. Flood zone. Land in Towns of Mamaroneck and Scarsdale.

List Price: $2,395,000

71 Griffen Avenue

This listing provided by Rebecca F. Spitzer, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 914-723-3340

71 Griffen Avenue