The Grange: Alexander Hamilton's Estate in NYC

So I am getting pretty nostalgic about graduating (and don't want to study for finals), and figured, what better historic real estate to write about than that of Alexander Hamilton, the man who my college is named after. Although I didn't personally know the guy, I would say he is pretty darn legit for not only agreeing to the Burr-Hamilton Duel, not like he was Secretary of the U.S Treasury or anything, but also for building a beautiful 32-acre country house in Harlem, NY. 

Hamilton's estate as it appeared in 1802

In 1799, Hamilton purchased sixteen acres of untouched land from Dr. Samuel Bradhurst and commissioned leading architect, John McComb Jr., to build a country home on what was then Manhattan's luscious countryside. The Grange, which was named after his grandfathers estate in Scotland, was completed in 1802, and was Hamilton's only home. Unfortunately, he only lived at              The Grange for two years because that gosh darn Burr cheated by not honoring his pre-duel pledge.........but alas-- I digress.

The twelve room, two-story, Federal Style home once sat happily on 32-acres of land with unobstructed views of the Harlem River and Harlem Plain. His estate stretched from 140th-147th Street and from Hamilton Terrace to Hamilton Place...I mean, naming a whole neighborhood after yourself... complete legend

The Grange once sat on 32-acres of land in Harlem

Hamilton's family lived at The Grange for thirty years after his death, but by the end of the century, the house was in foreclosure and condemned for destruction in order to allow for the implementation of The Grid. Could you imagine?? That concept is even more wild than The Duel. Instead, the good people at St. Luke's Episcopal Church bought The Grange and moved it three blocks to 287 Covent Avenue where the house was cramped between buildings and completely stripped of detail. In 1924, the house was turned into a museum (okay, we're making some progress) and alas, in 1960 designated a National Historic Landmark and administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. 

The Grange as it appeared in the late 19th century

I considered adding a photograph of what The Grange looked like cramped and stripped between St. Luke's and some horrific 10-story building... but something tells me that you're already getting the picture. Finally, after forty years of debate and commissioning, The Grange was moved two blocks to St. Nicholas Park where the original porches and the main entrance doorway were rebuilt, the main staircase within the entry foyer were fully restored and the thirteen gum trees that represented the then thirteen colonies were replanted. Not to mention, the building could now stand freely. The complete relocation and restoration took around five years, and The Grange officially opened to the public in 2011!

The Grange, upon restoration in 2011

So, how much would it cost to live in Al Ham's estate... only the most epic Founding Father of all time? Minus the 32-acre aspect, you're looking at a $5,800,000 price tag to own this tremendous 212 year old piece of history.   

Although The Grange is not for sale, and most likely never will be,  it will always remind me of the terrific four years I spent at Hamilton College. And if there is any such debate about Alexander Hamilton not being the most legendary Founding Father of all time, I will happily accept any and all challenges to a Duel in Weehawken. 

#HomeOnTheGrange 

The Palazzo Chupi @ 360 West 11th St.

It could just be my personal affinity (honest obsession) for all things pink, but the Palazzo Chupi located at 360 West 11th Street is actually remarkable. 

When American artist and Oscar nominated filmmaker, Julian Schnabel, needed more space for his work he did what most of us would do. Take a former horse stable in the West Village and build a Venetian palazzo atop it (and most importantly, make it pink). Schnable uses the majority of the bottom four floors as studio space and resides in one of the condos. Hats off to him, right??

And if you think the outside of the Palazzo Chupi is something to write home about, wait until you see the five palatial condominiums that boast 18-40 foot ceilings, impeccable finishes, outdoor space and views of the Hudson River.. you might just want to invest in a whole box of Ballpoint pens.

These one-of a-kind full floor residences start around $19,000,000--with the 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom, 7,500 square foot Penthouse triplex combo sitting pretty in pink with a price tag upwards of $35,000,000. If the pink wasn't quite enough for you, Schnabel then graced the interiors with his stylistic senses and installed sculpted fireplaces, Moroccan tile, soaring timbered ceilings, dozens of famous artworks, oversized arched windows and a 40-foot state of the art swimming pool. #Woah.

Well, if you love pink as much as I do, need a new apartment and will pay for 95% of it.
Message me. 

18 West 11th Street

If you've ever walked through the West Village, you've probably been pretty envious that you don't live there. It is one of New York's most historic and unique neighborhoods as it was part of the early Dutch Settlement of New Amsterdam. That alone would require you to know that the Dutch actually settled this lovely island of Manahatta in which we live. The Village is comprised of charming narrow streets with many houses that were built before the Commissioners Plan of 1811 (the Grid) was even proposed. So one might conclude that houses this grand, historic and unique cost a pretty (stunning, hot, smokeshow) penny.

 If you concluded yes, then you're right on the money, literally. 

Walk down West 11th Street between 5th & 6th Avenue and you'll see a row of identical red brick Greek Revival Townhouses...Except for no. 18, which has triangular wedge angling from its facade. Maybe in 1845 the architect, Henry Brevoort Jr. decided to get all avant garde with no. 18 and give it some flare! But alas he didn't. The story is way juicier than that.

The townhouses Nos. 14 to 24 on West 11th Street

In the Spring of 1970, the owners of no. 18, the Wilkersons, headed to St. Kitts for a couple of Mai Tais on the beach. Now, if you've ever tinkered with the idea of leaving your teenage kids alone while on vacay.... DON'T.
They might just be a part of a radical leftist organization known as the Weathermen Underground, and might just blow up your townhouse whilst trying to make bombs with dynamite intended for Columbia University. Just before noon, Cathlyn Wilkerson (the very responsible daughter and Weathermen bomb manufacturer) blew up her parents four bedroom and four bathroom townhouse. I mean seriously, you couldn't have used someone elses junky apartment to make explosives?.... now you're just being rude.

Needles to say, her parents were pissssed, and so was their nextdoor neighbor, Dustin Hoffman. Cathlyn took Home Alone to a whole different level. So you ground your kid for life and probably shun them, but what do you do with your nineteenth century townhouse? #BallsInYourCourt

Clearly, your best bet is to hire architect Hugh Hardy to trick the place out in the most classic of 1970s architectural fashion. Completely weird and modernist to the point that it might just be kind of cool. After fighting the Landmarks Commission, the house finally got approved  in 1978 for the triangular facelift as it appears today.

Private backyard                                     The living room 

So what's the price on this 5,000 square foot, 5 story, four bedroom, four bathroom townhouse with an elevator and a furnished backyard/garden??? It sold in 2013 for $9,250,000. Which really isn't all that bad since it was originally listed for $10,995,000. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

Oh, and if you're wondering what happened to Cathlyn, she did the right thing and disappeared for ten years.
#HIDEYOURKIDS

The Schinasi Mansion @ 351 Riverside Drive

The mansion as it appears today

Ever wonder where all the mansions in New York City went? Did you even know that NY was once populated with sprawling limestone mansions?? 

Unfortunately for us, nearly almost all of New York's mansions have been torn down and replaced with hideous 1970s architecture, but as the only single family free-standing mansion left in NYC, 351 Riverside Drive gives us a glimpse into the luxury living of New York's past. 

Having lived three blocks from the mansion throughout my teenage years, the Morris Schniasi mansion is undoubtedly one of my favorite buildings in New York. In so few works, its freakin' SICK...now let me tell you why. 

The Schinasi Mansion was built in 1909 by William F. Tuthill, who later went on to build a fairly recognizable landmark in New York known as Carnegie Hall. Did Schinasi, the millionaire Turkish tobacco baron actually pay Tuthill for the 12,000 square foot, 12 bedroom, 11 bathroom, 4 story limestone mansion with a private tunnel to the Hudson River... Absolutely Not. But that's chill right? 

The Schinasi's lived in the mansion until the baron's death in 1928. It       was during this period when most wealthy New York families were selling  their mansions to real estate developers and reconstructing their mansionettes  atop luxury apartment buildings. The Schinasi mansion was sold to the  Semple School for Girls in 1930 for a mere $200,000 (someone invent time  travel for me PLZ) and then again in 1960 to Columbia University and  turned into a Day Care..(Like actually ew). After being passed around like a  kid in foster care, the battered and deteriorating gem was purchased by Hans  Smit, a Columbia Law Professor, in 1979 for $325,000..OK--but like FOR REAL THOUGH?!

The original library

In 2006, 351 Riverside Drive was put back on the market for a whopping $31,000,000 (just say it with the Dr. Evil accent). After sitting on the market for years, the inevitable happened and the price was reduced to $25,000,000 At that point, I was ready to rob a bank or sell a kidney. Like whichever. I guess things got a little desperate after the market crashed in 2008/09 and the owner let USA film a few seasons of White Collar in it. Just when I had given up all hope, my sweet darling princess decided to stop playing hard to get and reduced her price to a mere $14,000,000. But alas, Mark Schwartz of Goldman beat me to the punch and purchased my limestone lover. Better luck next time Kenz.