Overview

On the eastern shore of Hempstead Harbor, this grand 1920 brick Dutch Colonial manor commands serene vistas of the harbor’s cerulean waters and its emerald lawns edged by towering trees. Oh, the tales this historic home could tell us of summer soirees held in her garden-like ballroom or of intimate winter gatherings where friends could relax and chat after dinner in front of one of her many inviting fireplaces. Though well-cared for nearly a century of existence, this grand lady is ready for you to give her the facelift she deserves so she can serve you well in this new millennium. With steps down to the water, deck, and deck shed, an expansive stone patio, attached two-car garage, high ceilings, elegant moldings, twelve-over-twelve windows galore, six bedrooms, six full and two half baths, not to mention a servant’s wing, she has much to offer. Approached by a long tree-lined drive off a private road in the fabled “Gold Coast” community of Roslyn Harbor, she shares a rich heritage with her neighbors. A farming community originally, Roslyn Harbor was developed by wealthy New Yorkers in the early 1900’s, into their summer estates. Two of those properties remaining today are the Engineer’s Country Club and the William Cullen Bryant Preserve with the Nassau County Museum of Art. Located just north of Roslyn Village, the area is convenient to shopping (including the Americana at Manhasset), dining, golf, boating, beaches, equestrian facilities, and the railway station. It is about 45 minutes from Manhattan by car or rail. With a large bluestone pebble courtyard, gambrel roof, and attached two-car, carriage-house-like garage, this stately brick Georgian manor seems to welcome you with open arms. Her center-hall entrance foyer, with its graceful floating staircase, cloak and powder rooms, and fireplace, extends to the rear of the house with door to the patio. To the left, a generous living room with front and rear windows offers fielded-panel walls, hardwood floors, fireplace, and four corner built-in display cases, with doors opening to the garden room. This ballroom-sized space is the gem of the home where stone floors flow through several sets of French doors with fanlights. At one end is a grand fireplace, and at the other, a walk-in bar. To the right of the foyer, the banquet-sized dining room displays a magnificent fireplace at one end and a wide, arched niche at the other. A swinging door opens to the eat-in kitchen, with backstairs up to the second floor, and its sunny breakfast area with terracotta tile floors and brick fireplace. A service area provides access to a powder room, laundry, the garage, and a side entrance. The second and third floors offer great potential with a palatial master suite, featuring a huge sunny bedroom, fireplace, dressing room with built-ins, closets, and two master baths. A long hall broken up by occasional arches, closets, and service rooms, leads to three bedrooms with baths en suite, the back stairs, and access to the housekeeper’s quarters, and to the servants’ quarters in the walk-up third floor and above the garage. All offer a great potential to transform and use as you wish, as does the basement with outside entrance and ample space for storage. If you love the history of Long Island’s “Golden Age,” and long for waterfront property in a great location, this beautiful century-old residence will be an answer to your dreams and a canvas on which to paint them.