Details

Category: Real Estate

Published: 10 October 2013

A large home on over five acres on Heathcote Road in Scarsdale could soon be demolished pending discussions at the Committee for Historic Preservation on Tuesday night October 15. The home was listed for sale in February, 2012 with an asking price of $12,995,000. Now, a year and a half later, the listing price has dropped by almost half to $7,250,000. Taxes on the 9,623 square foot house are $184,564 and perhaps fear about what the taxes could be following the revaluation have deterred sellers.

In 2012 we did some research on the house, the site and former owners and here is what we learned:

The 9,200+ square foot house sits on 5.39 acres and has 17 rooms, a tennis court and a pool. The listing says the house is "Meticulously renovated and expanded with state of the art systems throughout. Magnificent Clive Christian kitchen and master bath. Attached guest townhouse with private entrance." It was built in 1924.

The original home at 18 Heathcote Road was built in 1907. In the historic photo shown below, the home is Tudor-style and called "The Hedges" and is said to be the residence of Mark Eisner.

A look back through archives of the Scarsdale Inquirer shows that Eisner was a prominent man in the community and in New York. In 1929 he joined the board of a new18heathentry Scarsdale bank and trust and in 1930 he was re-elected to the Caleb Heathcote Trust and chosen to serve as treasurer. In 1931 he was among a group of lawyers at the Town Club who fought equalization rates and in 1933 he announced that he was not a candidate for Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. He also served on the Board of Higher Education of New York City and headed the American Association for Jewish Education. His wife won honors at a local flower show in March 1933 and in March 1944 -- she called the Spring Flower Show, "the best ever."

His son, Mark Eisner Jr., enlisted and was stationed at boot camp in Sampson on Seneca Lake in New York in 1945. In 1948 Eisner Jr. graduated from George Washington University. An article from November 18, 1932 says that an intruder entered the home but ran when the maid called out!

The house was later purchased by Leonard and Virginia Marx. Marx was a developer and manager of real estate properties and chairman and chief executive of Merchants National Properties. In 1985 he was on the Forbes 400 list of the richest Americans with a net worth of $300 million. The Marx's were active philanthropists who endowed professorships at Columbia University and built a daycare center at Westchester Community College called the Virginia Marx Children's Center. Leonard Marx served as a trustee of the Scarsdale Foundation from 1953-1974. Virginia Marx died in 1999 and Leonard Marx died in 2002 at the age of 97 at the house on Heathcote Road. One of their daughters still lives in town and in 2007 the Virginia and Leonard Marx Foundation donated $300,000 to renovate the reference room at the Scarsdale Public Library.

If the Committee does not find that the home qualifies for preservation it could be torn down.

Also on the list for consideration on Tuesday night are:

• 11 Rural Dr. built in 1962
• 16 Montrose Rd. built in 1925
• 53 Lincoln Rd. built in 1923

Recent Sales:

102 Greenacres Avenue: Magnificent and beautifully updated stone & brick Tudor in popular Greenacres neighborhood with six bedrooms on .40 acre of picturesque property. Gourmet kitchen offers SubZero fridge, Viking range with double ovens, griddle, grill, wine cooler, prep sink, granite countertops, Butler's pantry and custom display cabinets. Large adjacent family room with French doors out to delightful veranda. High ceilings, hand-painted walls, arched doorways. 1000 bottle wine cellar, built-in speakers, multi-zone central air.

Sale Price: $1,610,000
Real Estate Taxes: $36,859

81 Spier Road: Spacious, sun-filled split level home on quiet Quaker Ridge street. 4 bedrooms, hardwood floors, Huge, bright living room with fireplace, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen with year-round sunroom overlooking private level land. Family room/library, master bedroom with bath, two more bedrooms and bath, all on second level. Bedroom, bath and storage on third floor.

Sale Price: $950,000
Real Estate Taxes: $35,453

130 Longview Drive, Edgemont: 5 bedroom, 3 bath front-to-back split has gourmet kitchen with custom cherry cabinetry, Sub-zero refrigerator, 6-burner Viking gas combo, Miele dishwasher, granite counters, breakfast room with banquette to family room with fireplace. 2 new baths. Gas line to house. Wired for surround sound stereo in kitchen family room and deck. Invisible fence. Newer windows. Gardens enhance level property admired from deck.

Sale Price: $855,000
Real Estate Taxes: $25,776

Featured Listings:
44 Axtell Drive Scarsdale: Classic and elegant Fox Meadow center hall Colonial beautifully situated in the heart of Crane Berkley. This sunny and bright home in mint condition has been meticulously maintained. Features include generously proportioned rooms, beautiful oak floors throughout, dentil molding, cedar lined closets and abundant storage. 6 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths. Only a 7 minute walk to the train and village, bus to elementary and middle school, walk to high school. Steps away from, scenic Crane Pond. Private, lushly landscaped yard offers stone patio and covered porch. Learn more here:

List Price: $1,865,000

10 Winthrop Lane, Edgemont: Throughout this impeccably maintained classic brick colonial, architectural detail and quality appointments, create a feeling of comfortable elegance. This home features a gracious living room with fireplace, a formal dining room, kitchen with eat-in-area which leads to 1994 family room with French doors that invite to a patio and large garden. The second level has three bedrooms and a hall bath. Special features include hardwood floors, private setting and slate roof. Move-in. Walk to schools, bus and shopping. Great value! LOW TAXES! Learn more here:

List Price: $599,000

220 Underhill Road, Scarsdale: Treasured English country manor home in estate section of Edgemont. Private, park-like acre+ with pool. Renovated and redesigned 5 bedroom, 3 bath rich in architectural details. Dramatic sun drenched 2-story atrium, separate master bedroom suite with spa bath, fireplace and sitting room. Designer kitchen and baths. Guest bedroom and guest bath on first floor. Room for play and swing set on flat, secluded yard. Walk to schools, shops, commuter bus. Learn more here:

List price: $1,785,000

70 Morris Lane, Scarsdale: Located in the Murray Hill Estate Area, this fabulous Contemporary Ranch Home is situated on a spectacular acre of level land. The open floor plan features a step down living room with walls of windows overlooking the delightful heated swimming pool and the private lush grounds with mature trees and ample space for play. Flooded with light, great architectural details, stone fireplace, spacious rooms and a great lower level. 3-zone heat and AC. Fenced in Yard. Coveted location. Learn more here:

List price: $3,000,000

Details

Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Category: Real Estate

Published: 16 October 2013

When I read that a developer had filed an application to the Village of Scarsdale to demolish a 9,200 square foot home on Heathcote Road, I marked my calendar to attend the 10-15 hearing.

I had formerly researched the home and knew that it was on 5+ acres and had many updates. Unlike other houses that have recently been torn down, this one has not fallen into disrepair. In fact, it is beautifully appointed with a "deluxe kitchen," seven full baths, 3 half baths, a pool, tennis court and even a guesthouse.

And though the architectural style of the house did not have merit, the former residents were interesting. The home was formerly owned by Virginia and Leonard Marx who were prominent members of the community. Marx was a developer and manager of real estate properties and chairman and chief executive of Merchants National Properties. In 1985 he was on the Forbes 400 list of the richest Americans with a net worth of $300 million. The Marx's were active philanthropists who endowed professorships at Columbia University and built a daycare center at Westchester Community College called the Virginia Marx Children's Center. Leonard Marx served as a trustee of the Scarsdale Foundation from 1953-1974 and donated funds to keep the Scarsdale Library open on Sundays. Virginia Marx died in 1999 and Leonard Marx died in 2002 at the age of 97 at the house on Heathcote Road. One of their daughters still lives in town and in 2007 the Virginia and Leonard Marx Foundation donated $300,000 to renovate the reference room at the Scarsdale Public Library.

A few other relevant facts emerged:

• Though the listing said the house was built in 1907, from the photos, the house did not appear to be historic. The current home does not resemble the former Tudor home, originally called "The Hedges." pictured in a book of historic homes.
• The house was not included in the Historic Resources Survey conducted by Li/Salzman architects for Scarsdale Village in 2012
• The 5.39 acres property could not be subdivided
• The real estate taxes are $181,495 per year and in the course of two years the asking price had fallen from $12.9 million to $7.2 million.

Knowing the provenance, prominence and size of the house and the property I expected someone to put up a fight to defend it from demolition. Even the developer, David Fenton of Twin Oaks Construction seemed ready for controversy and appeared with his attorney Lawrence Graham from Cuddy Fedder to explain why the house was not worthy of preservation. Graham contended that since the house had been renovated extensively in 1952 and again in 2004 it no longer resembled the original home in several key ways:

• The home was originally stucco and is now covered in shingles
• The original gables were gone
• The 1907 Tudor style home is now a Colonial
  

The Marx's daughter Jennifer Gruenberg, who still lives in Scarsdale, also spoke, She shed some light on the renovations and did say that interior portions of the original home remain intact. But even she seemed ambivalent about advocating to preserve her childhood home. Village historian Eric Rothschild could not come to the meeting so attendees did not have the benefit of his research on the house.

Without much of a fuss the committee voted unanimously to let the house go.

I found it disturbing that yet another home in the Heathcote Association would be knocked down and most likely replaced with a mega-size Colonial, indistinguishable from the others that line this majestic Scarsdale thoroughfare. Though I understand that the house did not meet the criteria for preservation according to the current Village code, the Heathcote Association surely merits historic designation as a neighborhood and it's a shame that the Board of Trustees cannot find a way to preserve the neighborhoods that define our community.

Putting aside historic considerations, I am puzzled at why it is necessary to knock down a stately, elegant and comfortable home that someone would surely buy when the price was right. Yes, the taxes are high – but on a par with other homes of equal stature in the neighborhood. Why is a new home more highly valued than a house with a noble past?

The Scarsdale Trustees have been working on revisions to our historic preservation code to preserve historic homes and landmarks since I launched this site almost five years ago. A draft of that new code that addresses some of the issues raised by this home is currently in the works. Let's hope new laws are implemented soon so that we can preserve our quickly vanishing stock of historic homes.

Also approved for demolition on October 15 were the following homes:

• 11 Rural Drive: Former home of sportscaster Bill Mazer
• 16 Montrose Road: Former home of Stuart and Jane Weinberg
• 53 Lincoln Road

 

Featured Listings:
2 Brook Lane E, Hartsdale: Put your stamp on this 1930's Colonial home, on three acres of magical property with endless secret paths, stream and ponds. You can hide away from it all but still be a stone's throw from Edgemont's middle and High School as well as the town and train at Hartsdale and only 35 minutes to Grand Central Station. Enjoy the privacy that this house affords or build a second 3200-3300- sq.ft. home on the included, subdivided lot. A feasibility study, site plan and survey are available. Learn more here:

List price: $1,575,000

17 Wayside Lane, Scarsdale: Gem quality, this sunny 1926 Fox Meadow Mediterranean of incomparable elegance has been fully renovated. Grand foyer with curved sweeping staircase, Living Room, Family Room both open with French Doors to slate terrace and flat.48 acre. Designer Eat/in Kit,2nd Family Room off kitchen,2 half baths, Second floor Exquisite MBR suite, custom blt-ins,3 walk-in closets, office, Master Bath all custom, Jacuzzi/Shower an additional 4 Bedrooms,3 full baths,(2 En-Suite),close proximity to train schools, shops. Learn more here:

List price: $3,295,000

54 Paddington Road, Scarsdale Sunny, gracious five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath Colonial with spacious and open floor plan. Two story entry leads to expansive updated eat-in-kitchen with granite counters that opens to large family room with doors to stone patio. All rooms are generously proportioned with architectural detail throughout. Private landscaped back yard. Close to train, shops and schools. Learn more here:

List Price: $1,835,000

16 Wyndham Road, Edgemont: Enjoy a tranquil oasis in this pristine 1910 Colonial featuring five bedrooms, three baths, many updates and a convenient front-to-back center hall leading out to a private patio overlooking the lovely grounds. This captivating home flows seamlessly throughout generously sized rooms and includes a spacious heated sun-porch, kitchen with silestone counters, breakfast area and wet bar, all new marble baths, new bluestone front steps, a freshly painted exterior and a new roof in 2006. Walk to schools, trans. and shops. Learn more here:

List Price: $1,299,000

Details

Category: Real Estate

Published: 03 October 2013

According to local realtors, Scarsdale is on track for a record year in home sales. There have been 202 single family homes sold in Scarsdale Village so far this year and they are estimating potential sales of 253 for the full year. If that number is reached it would exceed annual single family sales for the past ten years. After the economic crisis in 2008, the median home sale price tumbled 18% and gradually recovered about 12% from 2010 – 2012. Currently the median sale price is hovering around $1.3 million, which is a slight downtick from the 2012 median price.

Here are this week's sales for Scarsdale and Edgemont:

15 Sycamore Road: Handsome stone English Tudor set on .34 acre with level private back and side garden. Large kitchen with custom cabinetry, wine fridge, two dishwashers. Family room with fireplace. 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, 4,380 square feet of interior space. Ultraviolet filtering for air handlers, 5-zone heat, generator hook-up for portable gas generator. Fabulous curb appeal.

Sale Price: $2,232,000
Real Estate Taxes: $47,455

154 Lee Road: Colonial to be built on a 50 x 150 square foot picturesque level lot. Quality construction throughout. Grand open kitchen family room. Four bedrooms, three full baths plus a powder room.

Sale Price: $1,260,000
Real Estate Taxes: TBD

123 Ferndale Road: New center hall Colonial built by well-known Edgemont builder. Nine-foot ceilings on first, high end finishes throughout. Large cook's kitchen, top of the line appliances, center island, breakfast area, family room with fireplace. Master bath with two walk-in closets, ten foot tray ceiling, fabulous bath, marble floor, separate shower, Guest bedroom with bath. Cedar fencing, two car garage.
Sale price $1,450,000
Real Estate Taxes: TBD

11 Thomas Lane: Superb craftsmanship throughout this totally customized beautifully detailed 6 bedroom Colonial. Features exquisite .41 acre private backyard with large multi-tiered bluestone patio & deck, 40' pool, convenient cabana & mahogany deck off MBR with staircase to yard. Oak pegged floors in family room.

Sale Price: $1,380,000
Real Estate Taxes: $31,472

5 Kempster Road: The living is easy in this few step home with terrific space, room for internal expansion for a great room, 2 fireplaces, 4 master sized bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths, plus a maid's room on the lower level, large family room with fireplace, second family room which can be a first floor bedroom, lovely 1/3 acre next to a private park. Incredible closet and storage space. Large deck and screened porch.

Sale Price: $1,100,000
Real Estate Taxes: $33,488

Featured Listings:

21 Cooper Road, Scarsdale: This is a Tudor like no other, full of sun, space, and class. Restored down to its bones with love and respect for the original style. High vaulted ceilings, extra garage house & gourmet kitchen, can be dressed up incredibly elegant or made to feel more relaxed like an old English Hunting Lodge. This is a home your kids will treasure and remember and want to bring their own kids back too. Learn more here:

List Price: $3,400,000

3 Bethel Road, Scarsdale: Elegant Colonial set on 1+ acre on a serene Cul-De-Sac in Murray Hill Estate area. Rare privacy, breathtaking setting, landscaped grounds. Built by well-known architect, Walter Collet, this 4,657 square foot beautifully maintained home w/new slate roof, magnificent formal rooms including grand living & dining rooms, oak paneled family room & generous private spaces. The expansive second floor has 6 bedrooms & 4 full baths. Room for future expansion and pool. Close proximity to train and schools. Learn more here:

List Price: $3,125,000

25 Griffen Ave, Scarsdale: True elegance on level, park-like acre, this grand brick Colonial with circular driveway and attached 3-car garage can't be missed. Generously proportioned rooms, oversized closets, cedar closet and large dine-in kitchen with breakfast room and butler's area. Architectural details include 6 panel wood doors, French doors, hardwood floors, inlaid wood entry, moldings and built-ins. Enclosed porch overlooks gorgeous gardens. View of Long Island Sound. Potential room for pool. Learn more here:
List Price: $1,995,000

166 Tewkesbury Rd, Scarsdale P.O./New Rochelle
Simply stunning Colonial situated on .23 acre. Features include a sunny, spacious living environment. Inviting library with plenty of bookshelves, great family room adjacent to 3 season porch overlooking level yard. First floor laundry, renovated master bedroom and bath, renovated powder room. Fantastic community pool for residents of the Scarsdale Park community. Learn more here:
List Price: $695,000