Photos by Andrea B. Swenson, courtesy of Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty
Bill Murray once lived here. Uma Thurman’s bathtub still lives here. Dubbed “The Manse,” this home is bursting with history and charm.
The Manse, a Snedens Landing property which was built as a parsonage in 1868 and received a generous restoration in 2016, is the kind of abode one dreams of owning. At 3,100 square feet, it’s bright but serious, spacious yet intimate, unique while elegant. Previous owners poured over a million dollars into zhuzhing this building without disrupting its historic charm, in turn earning the Rockland County Executive’s Historic Preservation Merit Award. The three-story Gothic Revival home—located less than a half hour from Manhattan—boasts a front and rear porch as well as a fenced-in yard around back, to name but two of its slew of selling points. Would you believe us if we told you that you’ve yet to learn the best part?
The Manse has some major celebrity energy. It was home to actor Bill Murray—you know, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Caddyshack—who lived there while his other house was under construction nearby. That’s not all, though; one of the bathtubs at this residence belonged to Uma Thurman. Once upon a time, she lived with Ethan Hawke at his house down the road—which, as it happens, is also up for sale—and somewhere along the line, her old bathtub made its way to The Manse. We knew this place had star power! In truth, the home’s Hollywood-laden history should come as no surprise, as this area is practically swimming with the rich and famous; it’s only 12 miles from the George Washington Bridge, adding major appeal to those who frequent the Big Apple.
As flashy as this home’s history may be, we’re most impressed by the effortless beauty it achieves without compromising its coziness. The devil is in the details, from the original crown moldings to the restored wide-board pine flooring, both of which span throughout the four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath dwelling.
The entrance to The Manse opens to a large sitting area bisected by a walkway to the rest of the home. On one side, residents can enjoy cocktails afront a fireplace framed in original Minton tiles. Across the way, a bay window washes the space with light.
Down the hall, the country kitchen sports marble countertops, custom cabinetry, and—best of all—a wood-burning pizza oven. Large windows line the dining room, complete with double doors that open to the yard. A butler’s pantry, outfitted with a library ladder, offers even more in the way of storage, meaning residents can keep their kitchen clutter-free.
Up the first flight of stairs and through an ornate threshold, the master bedroom is simple and luminous, flanked by a full bath on one side and a walk-in closet on the other. Each of the additional three bedrooms has a character of its own; the space on the top floor, for example, features pearly white paint upon its walls and sloped ceiling, perfect for a reading nook, artist studio, or childhood bedroom.
The bathrooms comprise this home’s only glaring stylistic deviations. In the bath attached to the master bedroom, there is a modern walk-in shower with glass walls; in the other full bath lives the aforementioned tub of a certain Pulp Fiction ingenue, also enveloped in a glass partition.
While the location, amenities, and history of The Manse are undoubtedly impressive, at the end of the day, it’s just a great house; it balances charm with comfort, flourish with function, simplicity with sophistication.
Listing Agent: Richard Ellis, Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty
Asking Price: $2,075,000
Selling Points: Located just 25 minutes from Manhattan, The Manse sits on a fenced-in half-acre of land. It features a newly built porte cochère for parking, three fireplaces, DCS and Sub-Zero appliances, a walk-out basement, updated mechanicals (air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electric, septic, and generator), and a state-of-the-art security system.
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