So many stars and famous celebrities have resided in the New Rochelle area over the years. So many movies, TV series and commercials have been produced here that it came as no surprise to learn that Mary Healy and Peter Lind Hayes lived at 103 Mount Tom Road for practically 25 years!

Peter Lind Hayes and Mary Healy were very much a staple of stage (1940s), screen (1930s) and television (1950s) to the 1980s. Unfortunately, being British, I was not aware of them, and must confess that I sought them on YouTube as well as Googled them, etc. I read their wonderful accomplishments, ranging from appearing on the TV Show “Vegas” in 1979, the Johnny Carson Show in 1977, “The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T” (which you can revisit on YouTube) in 1953, The Peter Lind Show from 1950-1951, Ethel Merman’s Showstoppers in 1955, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour in 1964, and so much more. There are too many shows to highlight. Peter Lind Hayes was born on June 25, 1915 in San Francisco, California and unfortunately died on April 21, 1998 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mary Healy - who was lovely - was born on April 14, 1918, married Peter in 1940. They were a top musical, comedic and night club team, appearing in many television shows and specials together. Peter’s movie career is reported as being ‘sporadic’ but he had served with distinction in World War II in the Army Air Force, and appeared in the 1944 movie “Winged Victory.”

As I read all of their accomplishments, it made me look anew at this lovely Tudor home which overlooks the Pelham golf course. It is a 5789 square foot Tudor home and is being offered at $1,690,000.

Peter and Mary would not be disappointed with how the current owners have renovated this splendid home. Read more about this gracious and unique home in a previous post of mine, Great Property Overlooking the Golf Course.

Posted By: Gay Rosen

It is quite interesting to note that the “House of Tudor” which reigned England from 1485 to 1603 has, in a sense, become the “Tudor House” to many of us…of course, we all recall Henry the VIII and his 8 wives, but on an everyday occurrence, we see so many Tudor Homes and as a Realtor, I wanted to find out why the popularity?

As it happens, the Tudor style home became a sign of a man’s wealth. To own a Tudor home,and especially to have a well designed garden accompanying the Tudor home, was the epitome of elegance and wealth back in the good old days of the 15th and 16th Centuries in England.

People would compete with each other with regard to the size, and grandeur displayed. It is interesting to note that the Tudor homes in England are traditionally white with half timbers which means they were built with wooden frames, and wattle and daub (wet clay and sticks) were used to fill in the spaces between. The English Tudors are white with black painted half-timbers, and yet in America, we traditionally see white with brown painted timbers, and with stucco and perhaps some brick work. A Tudor home will traditionally feature dormers, a large fireplace, and some Tudors will have a “stepped” appearance by which the upper floor will overhand the lower level. This originated when, in the 15th century, the people would pour out their chamber pots onto the streets, and rather than throw the contents onto the passersby, it would be thrown into the center of the street hopefully avoiding them. Fortunately, a warning call would usually precipitate the casting of the contents of the pot! Some 500 year old Tudor homes are still remaining in England. However, having grown up on an Island in the English Thames Estuary where we had original 17th Century Dutch cottages with thatched roofs (and tiny, tiny rooms), Tudor-style homes were an everyday occurrence to me.

Perhaps because the Tudor home signified wealth, luxury, etc…it is no surprise that Tudor homes are still very popular to many people. As a Realtor, I have two lovely yet different homes currently available on the market. One is located at 51 Old Orchard Road in New Rochelle and this 4 bedroom, charming and pristine home is available for just $678,000. Over 2000 square feet, and located close to shops, transportation and fine dining. The owners have lovingly maintained this home and it shows! The fenced-in backyard is perfect for Fido.

Click here for a virtual tour.

The second Tudor home is being offered at $1,690,000 and is a spectacular home overlooking the Pelham Golf Course. 4 bedrooms, with radiant heated floors in the lower level (a stunning room with a spa for 2, steam shower, and beautiful wet bar), as well as a gourmet kitchen, open layout with new floors, windows, and so many new updates - it must be seen to be appreciated.

Click here for a virtual tour.

If you would like to see either of these 2 homes, please call me. It would be my pleasure to show one or both to you!

Posted By: Gay Rosen

It is always interesting to learn about a community, its history, and I think it also helps to understand the naming of streets, parks and the essence of a city. New Rochelle, home of the Huguenots (French Protestants) after they fled France is no different.

Imagine a water-fronted area (Davenport Neck), where glacial grooves can still be seen on the rocks, part of the Manhattan Schist formation. The grooves used to be horizontal, but now pitch almost vertically to the south. You will find pegmatite (a coarse kind of granite), quartz and feldspar which indicates that the rock cooled slowly. As a point of interest, the New Rochelle rowing club utilizes a dyke made of the same rock material on Pine Island which is just off the shore of Davenport Park. The rock formations in this area are so interesting that to the expert eye, one can see how the glaciers coursed through the area north to south many millions of years ago.

It is a well known fact that people love water views and also golf course views. Living in New Rochelle, our great city can offer you both types of elegant homes at simply breathtaking prices! I am thrilled and honored to have just listed a wonderful 5789 square foot Tudor home in New Rochelle located at 103 Mount Tom Road, being offered at $1,690,000. Not only does it overlook the Pelham Golf Course, but it is also a spectacular home.

What makes this home so special? Well, for starters the homeowners spared no expense in renovating this gracious home which has custom crafted features throughout. The home features a gorgeous chef’s kitchen with custom crafted cabinetry, recessed lighting, Thermador stove, Thermador double oven, a warming drawer, 2 Sub Zero refrigerators, dark green granite counters, new hardwood floors (basically throughout the home). The kitchen leads to a breakfast room with rosewood custom built-ins, and a convenient first floor laundry room with a Miele washer/dryer.. There is a sliding door to the patio where you will find a Jenn-Air built-in grill with a gas hook-up, and a rich wrought iron railing surrounding the tiered terrace and patio area which overlooks the wonderful lush property with beautiful perennials and the nearby golf-course of course.

There is an elegant formal dining room, a wonderful large living room - did I mention the house is very bright and sunny? A large media room with a bar, and dramatic wrought iron doors that lead to a little reading nook where you could place an additional wine cellar. Additional? Well, the finished lower level is a dream.. Currently having the Certificate of Occupancy processed, this 1500 square foot (approx) area features arches, brick walls with nooks, superb detailing, tiled floors, and an exquisite bar area with a granite so deliciously green with golden highlights that is unusual but sure to please. A wet bar, wine refrigerator (although there is certainly room to install that desired wine cellar), Miele dishwasher, closets, 3 recessed areas, seating arrangements, all perfect for that wide-screen television. There is a 13’X14’ spa area with shower/steam room with a gorgeous rust colored granite which compliments the Jacuzzi bath tub for 2. A bidet and toilet with a separate entrance also allows for privacy. I just love this room! Oh, and do not worry on those cold wintry eves, the heated floors will be waiting for you as you leave the spa area, and snuggle down for a warm beverage on the comfy sofa.

But I digress, there is a wonderful library off the large living room with a marble fireplace, and the whole first floor leaves one breathless. How can one home offer so much? There are also stained glass windows off the entrance foyer, a powder room and a dramatic wide open stairway with a wonderful chandelier.

The Master Bedroom with its walk-in closets is a dream also. Large and sunny with a Master Bathroom featuring a cobalt blue granite - so blue and so rich looking that one can realize that at first glance that it was expensive. The Neorest combined bidet and toilet awaits your needs as does the standing shower with the aforementioned blue granite which also trims the Whirlpool bathtub.

There is a large Jack and Jill Bathroom with travertine tiling, that same rust colored granite shower that is more akin to a mural - it makes such a statement, heated flooring (of course!), tumbled marble, and the two bedrooms which adjoin this lovely bathroom are equally as impressive. One features a walk-in closet with a heated tiled floor, beautifully appointed, and the other bedroom is equally impressive. The fourth bedroom is currently being utilized as a drawing/sitting room, and it overlooks the golf course with sunny views and great charm.

The property is located on 0.36 of an acre…and is awaiting that discerning buyer who values elegance, quality design and top of the line appliances, superb custom crafted touches with a warm, personal feel. It has gas heating, Rinnai Central Air conditioning, and the 97% insulated garage/basement door was manufactured in Canada. Even the garage floor is finished! Once owned by the Danish Consulate, this home would compliment any home design magazine. It is lovely! The home borders the New Rochelle Pelham border and is just 30 minutes from New York City and yet just 5 minutes from those water views too!

For more information, please contact me at (914) 907-2645 or grosen@houlihanlawrence.com, and it will be my pleasure to assist you.

Posted By: Gay Rosen