700 W 247TH Street , House

Description

Unique opportunity to acquire an exquisitely renovated 1920's Georgian residence in mint condition, located in the sought-after Estate Area of Riverdale. The house includes five bedrooms plus sitting room, four full baths, three half baths, an elevator, a palatial indoor swimming pool, six-car garage, separate one-bedroom guest house, garden shed, gazebo, and pergola, all elegantly sited on over 1.5 acres of private, secluded, and professionally landscaped grounds. Comprised of over 12,000 SF of interior area, this impressive compound includes a second contiguous lot which is protected from future development by a covenant in the deed. The house was designed by award-winning architect Dwight James Baum who lived in Riverdale and designed many other prominent homes in the vicinity. It was originally built on the 26-acre estate of William E. Dodge who founded the Phelps Dodge Corporation. It is sited a comfortable distance from Dodge's own mansion called Greyston which was designed in 1863 by James Renwick Jr., the architect of St. Patrick's cathedral. The current owners have tastefully preserved Dwight J. Baum's elegant architectural masterpiece while updating all mechanical equipment and systems to suit a modern lifestyle. They embellished an earlier landscape plan made by Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects (sons of legendary Frederick Law Olmstead) by adding an indoor swimming pool, patios, terraced lawns, and several outdoor garden rooms. The landscape abounds with established plantings including a magnificent 200-plus-year-old copper beech tree. Several priceless water sculptures complete the garden composition. A remote-controlled iron gate with stone piers at the roadway's edge leads to an elegant paved drive and a walled semi-circular motor court where a grand double-height entrance portico welcomes the visitor. An interior foyer leads to a large gallery with carpeted staircase, living and dining rooms on either side in classic Georgian style, and a view ahead to a covered patio and the elegant gardens beyond. Walls of windows facing the motor court, and French doors facing the garden flood these elegant rooms in natural light. Beyond the living room a den / music room with wet bar and full-height south and west-facing windows with motorized shades is a perfect retreat for intimate gatherings. A wood-paneled library offers a private oasis. Wide-plank hardwood floors, five working wood-burning fireplaces, and state of the art museum lighting enhance these perfectly proportioned rooms. A large eat-in kitchen with vaulted ceilings, skylight, and white marble counter tops will satisfy the most discerning chef, containing two dishwashers, two sinks, two refrigerators, two microwave ovens that can convert to conventional ovens, a steam oven, and separate pantry and laundry area. An automatic elevator serves the first and second floors, and a secondary staircase connects all four floors. An indoor pool room with jacuzzi, working wood-burning fireplace, 20' ceilings, and surrounding walls of double-height windows offer panoramic views of the private gardens beyond. A second-floor grand master bedroom suite with sitting room and kitchenette is adjoined by a generous skylit master bath with double shower, double sinks, soaking tub, WC and urinal. Four more bedrooms, a sitting room, and three more baths complete the second-floor layout. A balcony facing west offers picturesque sunset views over the garden below. A generous finished third-floor attic with dormer windows offers ample storage and the potential for more bedrooms, a family room, or den. A finished basement includes state-of-the -art mechanicals, workshop, wine cellar, playroom, half bath, and pool shower. A separate guest house offers an additional bedroom, bath, and full kitchen.