Committee Votes To Preserve 9 Hamilton Road
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Real Estate
Perhaps a hundred concerned Edgewood residents showed up at Village Hall on Tuesday night May 15 to make a plea to save a beloved and historic home from demolition. Ironically, 9 Hamilton Road, the 1921 Mediterranean that sits on a third of an acre had been listed as worthy of preservation in a recent Historic Resources Survey commissioned by Scarsdale Village. Architects Li-Saltzman described the home as follows: “Although relatively small in scale, 9 Hamilton Road is a picturesque and whimsical example of Mediterranean-inspired residential design with its stuccoed façade, Spanish-tile roof, and arched loggia. The massing is especially well conceived as different masses, each clad in Spanish tile, build up to a hip-roof tower-like level.”
However, the same week the architects made their presentation at Village Hall, 9 Hamilton Road appeared on the agenda for the CHP when developers sought permission to raze it.
The Committee held over the decision on the home from the April 17 to the May 15 meeting to allow concerned residents to do some research and determine whether the home met any of the criteria for preservation.
Residents did some digging and unearthed information about the home’s original owners that ultimately saved the day. The home was originally owned by Ida Ruggiero. She immigrated here from Switzerland in 1906 and married Mr. Ruggiero in 1910. He was Scarsdale’s first policeman and was gravely injured on the job in 1918. When he retired in 1920 and he his wife bought the land and built the house in 1921. Once retired from the police force, Ruggiero opened an auto shop on Post Road where he repaired, sold and leased cars with chauffeurs.
Tom Giordano from Montgomery Road added that the house had “special character” and “aesthetic value” and urged the Committee to prevent the demolition of the home which was one of only four in Edgewood on the preservationist’s survey.
Bill Giddins of 14 Hamilton Road said that the home is “a beacon of joy to all who live here,” and said that “its’ demolition would damage the interest of neighboring landowners.” He noted that the sale price, listed at $999,087, was well below market rates.
John Hagerty, a 26-year resident of Rodney Road drew applause when he called 9 Hamilton Road “a gateway home for our community” saying, “it would be a crime to tear it down.”
Another Hamilton Road man urged the committee not to move forward with allowing the home to be demolished before the Village Board could formulate a new policy on preserving homes listed in the Historic Resources Survey.
Kristen Lewis of 24 Barry Road called the home a beautiful example of Mediterranean revivals with elements of eclectic style. Saying, “Scarsdale is known for homes built in the 1920’s,” she added, “it doesn’t make sense to tear down a good example of why we all moved here. There are many opportunities to move into a new house. This is a rare house getting more rare every year.” She urged the committee to “think about what we value.”
Committee Chair Robert Scheibe reviewed the criteria the committee considers to preserve the house:
- Is it of substantial historical importance?
- Is it more than 100 years old?
- Did a person of historic importance live there?
- Did it represent the work of a well know architect or designer?
- Is it an example of a significant style?
- Is it listed on the national, state or county register for preservation?
He noted that yes, a person of importance had lived there and it was perhaps an example of a significant style. He told the group that 4 out of the 7 committee members would need to vote yes to save the house.
A discussion ensued among the committee about whether or not the home had been renovated or modified. Jill Serling, a Committee Member said they she did not buy the argument that since it was one of only four homes in Edgewood it should be saved, saying, “I can’t buy into the Edgewood vs. the rest of Scarsdale argument.”
Ultimately Chair Scheibe asked for a motion to vote. Three hands went up to make the motion and there was a moment of silence and suspense before he called for the vote. Scheibe then asked for a show of hands to vote for the motion. Five hands went up in favor of preventing demolition and immediately there were loud cheers from the audience.
It was a historic moment for the committee, which in recent years has failed to save homes at 1 Duck Pond Road, the Marx Estate and more recently at 3 Sherbrooke Road. The newly formed Committee for Historic Preservation appears to be more sympathetic to appeals to save Scarsdale’s oldest homes. Perhaps this will send a signal to the Village Board when they consider how to adapt the Village Code in response to the Historic Resources Survey.
May Home Sales
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- Category: Real Estate
Another big week of area sales of homes ranging from a stately Murray Hill Tudor that sold for almost $3 million to an affordable home at just under $500,000 in Edgewood. For those following the revaluation, mark your calendars for a meeting on Monday night 5-14 at 6:30 pm at Scarsdale Village Hall where consultants Tyler Technologies will give a presentation on the status of the Village-Wide Property Tax Reassessment.
This Week’s Sales:
16 Richbell Road: Magnificent Murray Hill Tudor on over 1.62 acres of professionally landscaped property with pool and hot spa. This home has been restored and meticulously renovated using all top-of-the-line craftsmanship. Amenities include new slate roof with copper gutters/and leaders, multi-zone heating and CAC systems, carefully restored stonework and leaded glass windows with detailing, extensive landscaping and dramatic lighting, plus cherry trees and mature flowering perennials.
Sale Price: $2,975,000
Real Estate Taxes: $61,380
14 Richelieu: Sunny and bright house in Edgewood. The first floor has a living room with a fireplace, spacious dining room, eat in kitchen, library, powder room and cozy sunroom. Three bedrooms and full bath on second floor. Finished basement with full bath. Hardwood floors throughout, plus new windows, new roof, and new furnace. Level property.
Real Estate Taxes: $15,507
Sale Price: $745,000
30 Shawnee Road: Classic Fox Meadow Tudor located on a desirable, quiet street. Level .25 acre with lovely renovations including a large EIK with marble countertops/ center island, double Thermador wall oven, warming draw, Bosch DW, Wine Ref, desk and deck. This comfortable and welcoming home is just one block from the Fox Meadow elementary school.
Sale Price: $1,610,600
Real Estate Taxes: $33,955
148 Clarence Road: Charming Scarsdale Cape with living room with fireplace, formal dining room, kitchen with deck, powder room. Second floor has 3 bedrooms and hall bath. This home has been freshly painted throughout. Original built-ins and moldings and hardwood floors.
Sale Price: $496,000
Real Estate Taxes: $14,934
110 Edgemont Road: Elegant and exquisite Old Edgemont home. Solid brick and stucco center hall colonial with beautiful architectural details and sensational views!. Large 2011 cook's kitchen with stainless steel appliances, Silestone counters. New first floor bath, plus two updated baths. Interior painted, floors refinished, extensive landscaping, new carpets, 9' ceilings and sun-filled large lower level family room.
Sale price: $1,199,000
Real Estate Taxes: $26,469
1 Old Lane, Edgemont: Gracious home with generous sunlit rooms that are ideal for both grand entertaining and comfortable family living. Hardwood floors, special millwork throughout, fireplaces in living room and master bedroom. This home has been beautifully enhanced by the owners with various upgrades including a new roof, Marvin windows, copper gutters, granite kitchen counters, driveway, finished basement, garage and new fence.
Sale Price: $949,000
Real Estate Taxes: $28,097
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Featured Listing: 9 Hearthstone Circle
This refined beauty features 5,972 square feet of living spacious highlighted by a great layout and wonderful renovations. The 1.84 acres of private, lushly landscaped property with Shoreline pool, gazebo and BBQ area allow for wonderful outdoor living and entertaining. List Price: $4,250,000
Featured Listing: 20 Old Mamaroneck Road 7B
Penthouse studio in doorman building with circular driveway and garage parking. Just renovated in 2011 with new kitchen and bath. Upscale Murphy bed included. List price: $89,000.
Time For A Change
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- Category: Real Estate
I had driven by the gate at the newly developed Greens at Cherry Lawn many times before curiosity got the best of me. When two friends, both recent empty nesters from Scarsdale, announced they were moving to the development, which is located on Weaver Street, just across the border in New Rochelle, I asked Leslie Dorf of Houlihan Lawrence if she could show me around, so that I could see what was behind the gate and give readers a glimpse of another lifestyle.
Accustomed to living in an “historic home,” I wasn’t quite sure of what to make of this planned development. Dorf explained that there are a total of 26 homes planned for the project, with just four left to be sold. The Cottage, Colonial or Courtyard models range from 3,600 to 4,500 square feet and are designed around a large, square green that is nicely landscaped with flowering trees.
She took me into a Cottage-style model that is currently for sale, and I have to admit I was impressed. The kitchen, with marble countertops, 
Waterworks tile, two dishwashers and top of the line appliances was adjacent to a large family room with a cathedral ceiling. The first-floor master bedroom was large and the master bath felt even grander. There were ample closets, a lovely first floor powder room, and a two car garage. Upstairs were three additional bedrooms and two nicely designed baths.
In the model I saw, the owners went to town and finished the basement, providing them with an additional 850 square feet of space which was partially above grade. There was a good-sized bedroom, a big cedar closet and even a home theatre.
The house was smartly laid out and felt well-built. With hardwood floors though-out, nice moldings and lots of light, it was very inviting. Homeowners also have use of a new clubhouse with a pool and tennis court on the property. Plus, the guard at the gate is on call 12 hours a day and provides security and service.
And what does all of this cost, I asked? Homes are listed from $1.8 to $1.95mm, with $775 per month in common charges and real estate taxes of $35,000 per year. For many in Scarsdale, the move would not be a cost saver, but would provide comfort, convenience and relief from costly repairs on aging homes.
This Week’s Sales:
The six bedroom, six and a half bath home has a long private driveway leading to a magnificent setting, with patio, landscaping, pool and a 
three-car garage, Inside, there’s a living room with fireplace, formal dining room with wet bar, library, and dramatic family room, exercise room, and maids quarters with laundry. The master bedroom has a terrace and ultimate bath. Downstairs, there’s a home theater, and two playrooms.
Sale Price: $4,450,000
Real Estate Taxes: $98, 809
6 Horseguard Lane: Sun-filled, pristine stone and shingle four bedroom Colonial with slate room on 1/3 acre in Fox Meadow. Den and family room on first floor. Additional 875 square feet in potentially finished basement.
Sale Price: $1,480,000
Real Estate Taxes: $28,857
32 Crane Road: Charming home with modern amenities. Tastefully renovated/expanded: new kitchen, mudroom, side entry, powder room, closet and roof. Kitchen has Thermador oven and refrgierator, 2 dishwashers and disposals, warming oven, Marvin windows, fabulous view to the serene large yard. Bright, sunny home, large leaded glass windows, 6 bedrooms, 3.1 baths
Sale Price: $1,225,000
Real Estate Taxes: $32,713
12 Fairview Road: Charming English style, brick home on over 1/3 level acre. Private yard with great expansion possibilities.
Sale Price: $1,128,000
Real Estate Taxes: $18,559
16 Tanglewood Road, Edgemont: Sunlit split on quiet street in Edgemont boasts dramatic soaring ceilings, large windows, great flow for entertaining and easy living. Recent updated features: refinished hardwood floors, new A/C compressor and stainless steel kitchen appliances. Good closets. Large bi-level deck overlooks the back property with nice vistas.
Sale Price: $610,000
Real Estate Taxes: $20,404
6 Underhill Road: Ranch style home on private one plus acre in a quiet, convenient location. Eat in kitchen, screened porch. Spacious living room and dining room. Private master bedroom suite with vaulted beam ceiling opens to a sitting porch. Large master bath, three additional bedrooms, one with private bath. Finished lower level with playroom and changing area for the pool. Swimming pool works but needs TLC.
Sale Price: $580,000
Real Estate Taxes: $36,000
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Featured Listing: 44 Axtell Drive
Classic six bedroom Fox Meadow Center-Hall Colonial situated in the heart of Crane Berkley. The home boasts a living room with fireplace that opens to a covered veranda which can also be accessed from the generously sized dining room. Updated kitchen, family room with quality built-ins plus lower level playroom. Learn more here:
List Price: $1,839,000
Featured Listing: 203 Ardsley Road:
This extraordinary Cotswold stone and stucco Colonia, totally re-built in 2006, is sited on a level and private .72 acre property. The 6470 square feet of living space includes a spectacular gourmet kitchen, two-room master suite with Jacuzzi bath and a custom elevator. Learn more here:
List Price: $2,499,000
Spring Home Sales
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- Category: Real Estate
It’s clearly springtime on the Scarsdale real estate market. This week there are almost too many houses to show but we’ve squeezed them in here. 46 Brewster Road: Premier Fox Meadow Tudor of incomparable beauty, quality and size with classic proportions and exquisite architectural details. New: Kitchen, 5 Bathrooms, 5 Zone Hydro Heat and central A/C, custom closets throughout, garage door, 9 foot ceilings on 1st floor, 3 fireplaces.
Sale Price: $2,625,000
Real Estate Taxes: $58,420
202 Rock Creek Lane: Stately Quaker Ridge Colonial with oversized rooms and a private patio on over half of an acre with great flow and perfect for entertaining. This home features new kitchen with lime stone and top of the line appliances, large family room for easy living, private office or studio, hardwood flooring, surround sound, 2 driveways and bus to all schools.
Sale Price: $1,451,000
Real Estate Taxes: $30,162
14 Carriage House Lane: Elegant center hall colonial on a half acre of landscaped property with fence, specimen plantings and a lily pond. This home is beautifully appointed with dentil and crown moldings, two fireplaces, limestone floor in the powder room, granite counters, newish stainless appliances, Rutt cabinetry and hardwood floors and some new windows. The 2 car attached garage has easy access to the kitchen.
Sale Price: $1,440,000
Real Estate Taxes: $36,978
28 Church Lane: Sparkling, spacious center hall colonial with generous foyer, formal living and dining room. French doors connect living room to family room with fireplace. Large kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counters. Office with powder room off kitchen. Second floor features master suite with vaulted ceiling, his and hers walk-in closets and luxury bath. Three additional bedrooms on second floor. Two-car garage and lovely yard.
Sale Price: $1,285,000
Real Estate Taxes: $29,500
118 Spier Road: Sun-Drenched split in Quaker Ridge. The first floor features a living room with fire place, formal dining room, updated kitchen with granite counters and master bedroom with bath plus two more bedrooms and a hall bath. Upper level has a bedroom, bath and an office or den. Playroom in basement.
Sale Price: $801,000
Real Estate Taxes: $26,907
39 Kingston Road: Mint condition side hall colonial in Greenacres. Kitchen, family room with fireplace, five bedrooms on the second floor. Central vacuum, attached garage, walk to the elementary school and train.
Sale Price: $735,000
Real Estate Taxes: $18,884
4 Windmill Circle: Storybook Greenacres brick Colonial nestled in cul-de-sac awaits next chapter. Sun-drenched family room, adjacent to kitchen, opens to wrap-around deck steps from George Field Park. Sun room and library provide expanded living space. First floor master with full bath, two additional bedrooms upstairs with full bath. Large, finished, walk-out basement with tile floors, laundry, storage. Attached 2-car garage connects to main house and lower level.
Sale Price: $450,000
Real Estate Taxes: $27,500
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Featured Listing: 9 Hearthstone Circle
This refined beauty features 5,972 square feet of living spacious highlighted by a great layout and wonderful renovations. The 1.84 acres of private, lushly landscaped property with Shoreline pool, gazebo and BBQ area allow for wonderful outdoor living and entertaining. List Price: $4,250,000
Learn more here :
Featured Listing: 20 Old Mamaroneck Road 7B
Penthouse studio in doorman building with circular driveway and garage parking. Just renovated in 2011 with new kitchen and bath. Upscale Murphy bed included. List price: $89,000.
Learn more here:
What Do You Think About Real Estate Signs?
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- Category: Real Estate
Real estate signs announcing a house is for sale or that a house has been sold are more prevalent than ever in Scarsdale this year. There was a time when signs were not permitted – and house hunters relied on realtors to let them know what was available. Now it’s readily apparent who’s looking for a buyer – and signs of all colors and sizes are in evidence as you drive through town.
Lynne Clark, Associate Broker at Houlihan Lawrence, says about the signs, “"I have never liked real estate signs in Scarsdale. They do not enhance the beauty of our Village! I would be in favor of the Trustees looking into a stricter code and perhaps following Larchmont's lead by eliminating them altogether."
However, Scarsdale code does allow them – here are the rules as specified in the Village code, though some aspects don't appear to be enforced:
One real estate sign not larger than three feet high by four feet long on one lot, advertising the sale or letting of only the premises on which it is maintained and set back not less than 15 feet from any street line and not less than 10 feet from each side lot line which is not a street line; except that where acreage, available for or in the process of subdivision, is advertised for sale or letting, one real estate sign not larger than three feet high by four feet long will be permitted on each 500 feet, or major fraction thereof, of street frontage or, in lieu thereof, one sign not larger than three feet high by eight feet long on a whole frontage of 750 feet or more in length, provided that said signs are set back not less than 30 feet from any street line. The top of any sign provided for in this section shall not be more than eight feet above the ground or curb level, whichever is higher.
Others in the industry find the signs to be effective. According to Linda Roth, Managing Broker at Coldwell Banker, “Signs were not widely used on properties in Scarsdale until approximately 10 years ago. They are fairly prevalent today. There are Village restrictions on placement i.e. a certain distance from a point in the street. We offer small and larger signs for our clients, if they want one, and the signs are only one of the many items Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offers to our clients on the marketing of the home. Of course it’s appropriate in certain instances, one of which is the location of the home on a well-travelled street and additionally signs are not used in certain communities at all.
Jason Wilson, of Julia B. Fee/Sotheby’s believes that sales sign pique interest and arouse inquiries from neighbors and those passing by. In combination with new mobile phone apps that can show potential buyers homes for sale in a given area, these signs can be effective and realtors encourage clients to put a sign on their lawn.
What do you think? Do these signs have a positive or a negative effect on your neighborhood? Use the comments section below to share your views.
Recent Sales:
27 Doris Road: Dramatic contemporary Colonial on .47 park-like acre with pool and hot tub in country club setting. An entertainer's delight! Features include 5 bedrooms, Large kitchen, 2 story family room with stone fireplace, both leading to deck and pool, private office with built-ins, large finished basement with playroom and game room. House just power washed and window trim replaced.
Sale Price: $1,738,750
Real Estate Taxes: $36,264
23 Old Lyme Road: Superb home built and enjoyed by the same family for nearly 53 years, now awaits new owner. Curb appeal. Pristinely maintained interior. Spacious rooms, with great flow on level half acre property near highway, and commuter bus for train. Convenient location steps from elementary school.. Two-car garage with tandem third car parking.
Sale price: $1,277,000
Real Estate Taxes: $32,000
34 Wynmor Road: Fully renovated and expanded, this meticulously maintained home brings true respect to old-world heritage. Built to last with a stone fireplace and high ceilings throughout. The first floor has an open floor plan, custom gourmet kitchen and dining room with French doors to a deck overlooking a level yard. The master suite has a full bath and dressing area. The basement includes play and fitness rooms.
Sale Price: $1,195,000
Real Estate Taxes: $20,528
33 Jefferson Road: A sunny Tudor in Edgewood with charm and comfort for the entire family. Extra large bedrooms, eat-in kitchen, hardwood floors, level yard, close to school and park.
Sale Price: $760,000
Real Estate Taxes: $19,890
Featured Listing: 32 School Lane:
Classic brick Center Hall Colonial set on private landscaped .29 acre property. 
Beautifully maintained home with grace and detail within a short walk to village and train. Highlights include an entry Hall with circular staircase, library and separate guest wing with private entrance. Many updates throughout. List Price: $1,499,000 Learn more here:
Featured Listing: 65 Midvale Road:
This well maintained four bedroom Edgemont Split Level home features a third acre property, many updates, gleaming hardwood floors and generously sized rooms. Amenities include a gourmet kitchen with breakfast area, skylight and door to the charming screened porch. The lower level hosts a playroom with bar.List Price: $999,999. Learn more here :
