Another Historic Home Could be Razed

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