Behind the Stonewall on Manor Lane

What's behind the stonewall at Heathcote Manor, the new development on Manor Lane off Weaver Street? Apartments ... cluster homes .....townhouses? The project had been approved many years ago but was dormant for decades. I was curious to see what had finally been built and made an appointment to take a tour.

After I turned at a stoplight on Weaver Street and drove up Manor Lane, I found that these were actually single-family homes, and large ones at that. The unit I visited was a generous 5,260 square feet with it own .12-acre yard. I walked upstairs to the entry and initially thought I was in the lobby to the complex, but then realized that this was the entry hall to one of the nine single family homes.

The house was bright, well lit and spanking new. The spacious foyer led to a new kitchen with high-end appliances, marble counters and an inviting island. The kitchen is connected to a large family room that looks out onto a green yard. Also on the first floor was a formal dining room, a living room and another large first floor room that could be a den or a library. Upstairs there were three family bedrooms, one with an en-suite bath, and a master bedroom suite that would be the envy of anyone living in one of Scarsdale's charming, (aka "old") homes. The master included a fireplace, two roomy walk-in closets and a master bath with an oversized shower, soaking tub and top of the line finishes.

And if that wasn't enough, the basement was finished as well and had room for a large playroom, media room or gym. The lower level leads to a 2-car garage and if needed, the builder will even install an elevator.

I quickly realized that my bias about new construction was unfounded.

The homes are located in Heathcote and students can attend Heathcote Elementary School as well as the Scarsdale Middle School and High School. Priced at $1,698,000, the realtor anticipates that taxes will be around $40,000 per year. There will be a fee for common charges to pay for mowing and landscaping. In my view, the only downside is the lack of a sidewalk along Weaver Street and the  location opposite the shopping center, but that has its advantages too.

The house showed well and four of the nine units are already sold. The complex is built by Pais Built Homes of Pound Ridge and appears to be quality construction. Check them out here: