Real Estate: How Neighbors Can Create Open Space Plus Sales and Open Houses

Last year I was dismayed to see another house being torn down on Paddington Road -- but later surprised to find that after the rubble was cleared nothing was put up in its place. The property at 1 Paddington Road, pictured here, is an open lot planted with new large conifers. No massive house has been built. Why?

Curious, I took a look at the Village property records and made inquiries at various Village Hall departments and learned that a developer purchased the property in 2016 and tore down the house (built in 1951,) along with ten trees. As construction was underway for a new big house, a neighbor at an adjoining property at 9 Wayside Lane purchased the lot from the builder. Though it is still a separate tax parcel and building lot, it remains vacant and undeveloped for now.

According to Village records, this is not the first time neighbors have paid to create open space next to their homes.

The original home at 1 Paddington Road

Birchall Drive homeowners purchased two lots, adjacent to the 8.12 acre-residential property they already owned. In 2012, they bought a .88-acre residential property at 15 Kelwynne Road, subsequently tearing down the house and in 2015 they purchased a 1.43 acre-residential parcel at 91 Birchall Drive and proceeded to tear down that house and create a 10.43 acre property. This is the second largest property in Scarsdale after the 14.95 acre Winston Estate at 256 Griffen Avenue.

Heathcote Road homeowners also appear to have made a similar decision. In The open lot as it now stands at 1 Paddington Road.2005, the owner of 185 Heathcote Road purchased an adjacent 1.31 acre lot at 189 Heathcote Road and in 2007 demolished a large Tudor home on the lot. Though they filed an application to build a new house there in 2010 they later withdrew the permit. Instead, an aerial photo shows what looks like a putting green and sand trap on the property – a nice use of the open space.

Quaker Ridge Golf Club also opted to expand their footprint by purchasing a home adjacent to the golf course in 2014. The house at 54 Bradford Road is 6,115 square feet and sits on 1.2 acres, a nice addition to the golf course. Though we don’t know for sure, the golf club may have purchased the property to prevent homeowners from complaining about errant golf balls that might fly in, as was the case on Brittany Close, on the other side of Quaker Ridge. The 54 Bradford Road parcel, however, is likely difficult for redevelopment, as there is a creek running through it.

In making inquiries I also learned that if a property becomes available, it can be purchased by a group of adjacent neighbors and subdivided. Though this may take some legal work, an application for subdivision can be filed and the property can be apportioned and added to the neighboring lots.

So if the house next door to you is up for sale, and you don’t want a larger new house to be built, consider your options for converting the lot into open space.

Sales

3 Brookfield Lane3 Brookfield Lane: Modern Scarsdale home in Heathcote on over 1 acre of park-like property. Set on a private cul-de-sac, this home is close to the Scarsdale middle school, tennis courts and field. Soaring ceilings and oversized windows provide great natural light. There is a spacious gourmet eat in kitchen. A wrap around flagstone patio overlooks a waterfall cascading into the pool. Over 6,000 square feet of living space ideal for entertaining and everyday gatherings. Dramatic entry with vaulted ceilings and herringbone cherry wood floors. 3 car heated garage, library, and two master bedroom suites. The unfinished lower level has a full bath and offers a vast canvas to build. Lots of closets throughout with built ins. House elevator and generator.

Sale Price: $2,710,000
Assessed Value: $3,000,897
Real Estate Taxes: $65,291

44 Franklin Road44 Franklin Road: 5 bedroom, 5.1 bath CH Colonial completely renovated & expanded in 2007. Large entry hall, living room with fireplace, formal dining room, gourmet eat in kitchen with walk-in pantry, family room with built-ins and adjoining reading room, Mudroom/Butlers Pantry, wet bar, Second level master suite with deluxe Master bath and 4 large bedrooms. Recreation room, laundry room, Bar & Wine Cellar all in lower level. Bluestone patio & stunning yard.

Sale Price: $2,330,000
Assessed Value: $1,800,000
Real Estate Taxes: $43,934

23 Butler Road23 Butler Road: Mid-Century custom home on level .76 acres in the heart of Fox Meadow. There are five bedrooms, three full baths and one half bath. Sunlight abounds when you enter the foyer with powder room, living room with big windows, dining room, eat-in kitchen with door to patio and family room. Up a few steps is the master bedroom and bath, two bedrooms and a hall bath. Up a few more steps are two bedrooms and hall bath. The lower level has a second family room and door to two-car garage, and below there is an unfinished large open basement with laundry.

Sale Price: $1,918,000
Assessed Value: $1,475,000
Real Estate Taxes: $31,991

53 Highridge Road53 Highridge Road: Adjoining the Scarsdale Country Club, this house Edgemont school district, offers construction of the circa 1936-era in which it was built, and has been revitalized for today's current style. This home includes a kitchen/family room, a home office with vaulted ceiling, multiple bedrooms and recreational spaces. The rear property offers a bluestone patio and planted gardens which allows plenty of room to enjoy play and entertain.

Sale Price: $1,730,000
Assessed Value: $1,450,000
Real Estate Taxes: $48,264

197 Lyons Road197 Lyons Road: Located conveniently near the elementary school, the commuter bus to Scarsdale Village and train and across from Davis Park playground and field. Features include an open floor plan on the first floor with a center foyer leading to the living room with French doors, a formal dining room and a family room with fireplace that opens to the stunning kitchen with granite counters and new stainless steel appliances. Sliding doors lead to the private deck . Upstairs the large master bedroom and three more bedrooms. Downstairs has two versatile rooms, a full bath and laundry.

Sale Price: $1,250,000
Assessed Value: $1,075,000
Real Estate Taxes: $26,120

6 Ross Road6 Ross Road: renovated and expanded colonial just steps from the Scarsdale Library, on a cul-de-sac street with a landscaped center island. This 1940 house has all new Marvin windows in 2007; a solid cherry wood door imported from Maine with custom leaded-glass sidelights; a new eat-in kitchen in 2014 with granite countertops, full-height cabinets with soft-close doors/drawers and stainless steel appliances including a wine refrigerator; radiant-heated floors in the master bathroom and en-suite bathroom; an air Jacuzzi plus a shower stall in the master bathroom with its soaring ceiling and Palladium window.

Sale Price: $1,250,000
Assessed Value: $1,077,348
Real Estate Taxes: $23,675

197 Webster Road197 Webster Road: Classic fieldstone and shingle, center hall Colonial with its very convenient location! Impeccably maintained with fine architectural details, sun-filled, spacious rooms, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, total 2507 sq. ft. including large playroom. Special features: Exceptional curb appeal, two car attached garage, charming three seasons porch, two patios and hardwood floors

Sale Price: $1,195,000
Assessed Value: $882,375
Real Estate Taxes: $21,711

170 Bell Road170 Bell Road: Conveniently located Dutch Colonial in the Edgewood Elementary District of Scarsdale. The entry foyer with two closets opens to a living room with brick fireplace. Adjoining the living room, is a sunroom. The layout flows to a formal dining room, an eat-in kitchen and a family room overlooking the backyard. Upstairs, there are three full-size bedrooms and a full bathroom. Wall unit air conditioners recently replaced. All windows have been replaced. Basement is large and unfinished with commode.

Sale Price: $690,000
Assessed Value: $700,000
Real Estate Taxes: $17,000

4 Theresa Lane4 Theresa Lane: Located on a very quiet private cul-de-sac area. Close to school, shop, restaurant, and public transportation. 4 bedrooms with a large closet and 2.5 bathrooms, sunny and bright living room has an easy access to deck. In-ground pool and beautiful backyard. Automated 2 car garage door, alarm system, sprinkler system, central air, central vac. Needs renovations.

Sale Price: $672,000
Assessed Value: $22,300
Real Estate Taxes $25,469

 Featured Listings

10 Leatherstocking Lane10 Leatherstocking Lane, Scarsdale
This is your chance to live on your own private retreat with a freshwater koi pond in Heathcote! Built with great integrity, this high-quality modern home offers so many wonderful details with its five bedrooms, three full, two half baths. Enjoy a two story basketweave fireplace in the great room. Learn more here.

List Price: $2,200,000

55 Penn Boulevard55 Penn Boulevard, Scarsdale
Re-invented and re-designed by a visionary architect in 1995. Expansive, open and with seamless transitions from one space to the next, this most unusual, luxurious and livable home delivers an exceptional lifestyle. The living room and dining room are a continuous space overlooking the lush backyard. Learn more here.

List Price: $2,495,000

Open Houses

4 Thornwood Place4 Thornwood Place, Scarsdale 
Public Open House- 5/5 and 5/6: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Sunny, open and airy three bedroom home offers hardwood floors and cathedral ceilings throughout the living and dining room. Freshly painted lower level, new furnace with digital thermostats and double-paned windows, set on .25 of an acre with a stunning backyard. Steps from Corell Park
Learn more here.

List Price: $968,000

28 Bradford Road28 Bradford Road, Scarsdale
Public Open House- 5/6: 11:30am-1:00pm
Learn more here

5 Maple Ridge Court

5 Maple Ridge Court,Scarsdale
Public Open House- 5/6: 1:00pm-2:30pm
Learn more here

79 Edgemont Road

79 Edgemont Road
Public Open House- 5/6: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Learn more here

4 Crawford Lane

4 Crawford Lane, Scarsdale
Public Open House- 5/6: 2:00pm- 4:00pm
Learn more here

25 Bretton Road

25 Bretton Road, Scarsdale
Public Open House- 5/6: 2:30pm-4:30pm
Learn more here

8 Thornwood Place

8 Thornwood Place, Scarsdale
Public Open House- 5/6: 1:00pm -3:00pm
Stylish Arts and Crafts home with plenty of space for sleep, study, play and recreation. Features eat-in-kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances and granite counters plus sliders to spacious deck perfect for summer entertaining. Truly a must see!
Learn more here.
List Price: $1,299,000

6 Barker Lane

6 Barker Road, Scarsdale
Public Open House- 5/6: 1:00p-3:00p
Learn more here.

12 Wynmor Road

12 Wynmor Road, Scarsdale
Public Open House- 5/6: 2:00pm- 4:00pm
Learn more here. 

4 Crawford Lane

4 Crawford Lane, Scarsdale
Public Open House- 5/6: 2:00pm- 4:00pm
Learn more here.