44°
Their reaction was similar when they viewed 11 Riverview Place in Hastings. In August 2003, Betty and Phil moved into their five bedroom home and enjoyed one of what they had planned to be many dinners on their front porch overlooking their lush green front yard, producing Sour Cherry Tree, and the Hudson River and Palisades. Unfortunately, soon after, they realized that the home was drafty and significant parts were unlivable in the dead of winter so close to the Hudson River with several families of squirrels also making their house a literal squirrel alley.
Ryberg and Grant invested in squirrel traps and learned ways to keep caught squirrels calm while relocating them. They spent three years freezing during the winter and sweltering during the summer — despite new furnaces and central air-conditioning. They also paid exorbitant heating and cooling bills, popped circuit breakers when they ran a blow dryer, vacuum or microwave, and raised several families of squirrels, but concluded that they loved the historic features of their home and its location. It just needed to function better.
A local builder meticulously restored and renovated their home, bringing it in many ways back to the way it was originally, yet with technical upgrades that make it a first class fully functional home by today’s environmental, functional and safety standards.
The 5-bedroom, 3-and-a-half-bath Victorian, which was built in 1899, is listed by Houlihan Lawrence agent Francie Malina for $2,475,000, and features a fabulous chef’s kitchen, walk-to-all location (train, shopping, parks and restaurants), and state-of-the-art environmental and mechanical systems, as well as leafy surroundings and awesome Hudson River, Palisades and Tappan Zee views from various points throughout the home.
They restored the existing period light fixtures and Phil carefully selected much-needed additional lighting that was in keeping with the turn-of-the-century period of their home. While they restored their home and stayed true to its architectural integrity, they dramatically-increased the energy efficiency of their home. They installed “green” energy insulation in exterior walls, ceilings and overhangs, sound insulation in all interior walls, a state-of-the-art three-zone heating and cooling hydro-air system and a central station smoke, fire and burglar alarm. They also rebuilt fireplaces to include a damper and a direct-vent gas system.
Malina said the home is perhaps the “greenest” old house in Hastings. “Every aspect of the house, which includes nearly 4,000 square feet, has been either restored or renovated and literally is perfect,” Malina said.
The home also features a grand foyer framed with stained glass windows, original restored moldings, antique lighting and a grand carved-wood staircase. The custom kitchen includes Klaff’s custom cabinetry, copper sink and backsplash, and red slate countertops. Four meticulously-restored bedrooms are on the second floor. There is a master suite with cherry columns and beams and numerous architectural details, cathedral and Gambrel ceilings, a Juliet balcony, and Village and River views.
With in-town accessibility, River views and commuting convenience to New York, the home is now a neighborhood jewel, says Malina. “I used to say that moving to this home was my happy ‘compromise’ for accessibility to the city and also a life, but now I say that this home is our vacation because it is so comfortable,’’ Ryberg said.
Click here for the property listing. To arrange a showing, contact Francie Malina at 914-261-0276.
