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5 Reasons to Love Yorktown

1 Comment By Gay Prizio on March 15th, 2012
Tags: , , ,      Categories: Market Area, Town Guides, Uncategorized, Westchester

The Town of Yorktown is located in northern Westchester, 35 miles above New York City with 40-square miles of rolling hills, farmland, residential areas and light industry. If you love green initiatives, you’ll find them in Yorktown.

Here are five reasons why you’ll love Yorktown:

  1. Hilltop Hanover Farm is a local working farm and regional education center that offers programs on healthy and sustainable food production. This involves researching and teaching techniques for small-scale suburban and urban farming, and illustrating sustainable living practices such as alternative energy sources.  You can visit the farm and view the schedule of events at  www.hilltophanoverfarm.org.
  2. The North County Trailway is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while lowering your carbon footprint. This paved pedestrian/bicycle path covers 22.1 miles from Eastview in the Town of Mount Pleasant north to Baldwin Place in the Town of Somers on the Putnam County border.
  3. Greasestock is held yearly in Yorktown Heights on the grounds of Peter Pratt’s Inn, an historic landmark New York. It is one of the largest alternative fuel, renewable energy, and low-energy green vehicle exhibitions in the United States and showcase innovative green technologies such as vegetable oil powered cars, biodeisal cars, solar-powered cars, home-heating alternatives and organic farming exhibits.
  4. Pick your own locally grown apples, pumpkins and Christmas trees at Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm. Wilken’s provides the bags, baskets picking poles and even a hay wagon for this environmentally-friendly excursion. Be sure to arrive dressed for country orchards.
  5. Acclaimed author, teacher and lecturer Ruth Rogers Clausen is a frequent guest speaker at the Yorktown Garden Club. A Westchester resident, Clausen recently lectured on deer-resistant plants and shrubs at the Garden Club. Her tomes include Dreamscaping, and contributions to Perennial Gardening with the New York Botanical Garden;  and Trees with the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Visit our Town Guides page to find out more information about Yorktown.

5 Reasons to Love Armonk

0 Comments By Gay Prizio on March 1st, 2012
Tags: , , , , ,      Categories: Luxury market, Market Area, Town Guides, Westchester

Armonk, a hamlet located in the town of North Castle, New York, contains the right amount of rural sophistication coupled with its proximity to New York City and major highways.  It offers that local, community-oriented appeal with a beautiful surrounding environment.

  1. Take a stroll down Main Street. Window shop, then relax with a cappuccino at Tazza Cafe, or satisfy your sweet tooth at Beascake Bakery and Breads. For a fine meal, farm-to-table cuisine is on the menu at Restaurant North.
  2. The Armonk Outdoor Art Show is on hot ticket item on everyone’s calendar each fall. Sponsored by the Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Inc, the annual event is a juried show of fine arts and crafts from artists and artisans in Westchester County.
  3. Wampus Pond is a 93-acre site where you can row your boat in the summer and then ice skate in the winter.
  4. If you are an avid gardener or easily marveled by gardening and landscape design, visit Mariani Gardens. Owner Mark Mariani and his staff have taken the color, form and texture Mother Nature provides and created a magical atmosphere.
  5. The Armonk Players, a community theatre group, stages two full high quality productions each year. “The Drowsy
    Chaperone    ” was staged this fall.

5 Best Things To Do in Rye, NY

0 Comments By Gay Prizio on January 19th, 2012
Tags: , , ,      Categories: Market Area, Town Guides, Westchester

Rye, NY is the smallest city in Westchester County, but overflowing with community amenities and charm that make Rye an easy place to love and live:  

  1. Golf & Recreation: Rye Golf Club, with a public 18-hole golf course, large pool and baby pool.
  2. Enjoy the Long Island Sound: Rye Oakland Beach and Rye City Marina
  3. Community Activities for all ages: Rye YMCA, Rye Arts Center, Rye Nature Center, Rye Library, Rye Historical Society, The Rye Garden Club
  4. Close to New York City: Rye feels like a New England beach community, but is just 36 minutes to Grand Central Terminal.
  5. Eat at great restaurants: Ruby’s Oyster Bar, Frankie and Johnnie’s Steakhouse, Morgan’s Fish House, Water Moon, Rye Grill and Bar, Cafe Livorno, Town Dock.

For more information about living in Rye, take a look at our Rye Community video:

A Tasteful End to Summer

0 Comments By Gay Prizio on August 30th, 2011
Tags: , , ,      Categories: Town Guides, Westchester

Just a few weeks remain before summer ends. Many spend these lazy, hazy days of summer on vacation. If a vacation is not in your immediate future, here are a few ideas that can transport you into a vacation state of mind. 

Harvest on Hudson is aptly named.  Overlooking the Hudson River with spectacular views of the Palisades, it’s organic garden is the centerpiece of the restaurant. Harvest on Hudson is based on the culinary philosophy of using the finest and freshest seasonal ingredients grown locally. The days harvest will appear on the menu and on your plate.  Sipping a chilled glass of chardonnay with the sun setting over the Hudson can feel like Napa Valley (without the mountains) and the meal that awaits your palate will enhance the experience, and the feeling that you are far, far away. 

In Mamaroneck, Harbor Island Park is a sprawling 44-acre site that overlooks the Long Island Sound and the perfect spot for a waterfront picnic. Mamaroneck Avenue offers a number of different specialty shops that make your meal effortlessly delicious. Cosmo and Alex offers up breads, olives and cheeses, and more standard fare of sandwiches and salads. Next door is Boiano Bakery, which tempts your sweet tooth with cakes, cookies, pastries and breads, plus Italian pastries such as cannoli, napoleons, cream puffs and éclairs, plus a dozen varieties of biscottis. Let you imagination decide if your waterfront picnic is in Maine or Mamaroneck.

If a little bit of Hollywood is on your wish list, The Bedford Post Inn is your ticket. Owner Richard Gere might be at the next table, or Ralph Lauren could be breaking bread in the dining room. A celebrity sighting can’t be guaranteed but wonderful food and a delightful ambiance is a given.  A chef’s tasting menu paired with different wines is a vacation-worthy experience.

For additional restaurant suggestions in your area, go to http://www.houlihanlawrence.com/TownGuides.aspx.

Out and About in White Plains

0 Comments By Gay Prizio on May 5th, 2011
Tags: , ,      Categories: Buying, Out and About, Town Guides, Westchester

Like most big cities, White Plains takes on a different pulse in the evening when the warm weather arrives. The streets are alive with residents and visitors happy to be sharing the warm summer night and sense of community that pervades the promenade. 

Longer days and warmer temperatures make the perfect combination for al fresco dining. Mamaroneck Avenue, a main thoroughfare of White Plains, is lined with a plethora of restaurants -  from pubs and sports bars to steakhouses – that offer a great meal outdoors. 

Lazy Boy Saloon on Mamaroneck Avenue is a must-visit if only to see if all it accolades are true – it has been rated as One Of The Top 150 Beer Bars In The Nation, Voted “Westchester County’s hall of fame for best beer selection”, the 21st of the “56 Must Do” things in Westchester County, Best Chicken Wings and Best Place to hear music. 

New to Mamaroneck Avenue is Cheeburger Cheeburger. The lines are long for this national restaurant chain day and night. Ron Blacks and Hudson Grill both offer a convivial atmosphere, a wide selection of adult beverages and food.

At the top of Mamaroneck Avenue is the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which houses BLT Steak, a well-know Manhattan name, on the street-level of the hotel, while the top floor showcases 42, serving up contemporary American cuisine and panoramic views of Westchester.  

 To check out the nightlife in White Plains, take a look at our video:

 If you would like to live in White Plains and be part of the action, one of these homes for sale offers a close, in town location:

Wimbledon blog 150x150 Out and About in White Plains302 Church Street, #1G. The Wimbledon Condominium offers superb layouts in downtown White Plains just minutes from the Ritz Carlton, transportation and shopping. All new kitchen cabinets, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, marble baths, concierge, gym and on-site parking.

Ritz Carlton Blog 150x150 Out and About in White Plains 1 Renaissance Square, #16B. URBANITE’S DELITE! Live 35 minutes from Manhattan in the sophisticated city of White Plains, located in the center of desired Westchester County. Pamper yourself with the world class services and luxurious amenities of the renowned Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Enjoy top-of-the-world views and fine dining at the 42nd floor restaurant or at other superb fine or casual dining spots in the city and surrounding suburbs. Golf, beaches, upscale shopping, movies, live theater, pubs are steps or minutes away.

Trump Blog 150x150 Out and About in White Plains10 City Place, #30A. Enjoy the life you deserve in the luxurious Trump Tower. This bright, spacious home gives you fabulous views of NYC and magnificent sunsets. This home features a large master bedroom with a walk in closet, large kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances, marble baths and mahogony floors. Offering you all the luxury amenities: 24 hour concierge, doorman, indoor/outdoor pool, tennis courts, outdoor recreation area, fitness center and play area all within a 32 minute express train to Grand Central Station.

Out and About in Somers

0 Comments By Gay Prizio on March 3rd, 2011
Tags: , ,      Categories: Market Area, Out and About, Town Guides, Uncategorized, Westchester

The Town of Somers is located in northeastern Westchester County and rests in an outstanding scenic area that has been long recognized for excellence in quality of life. In this visually appealing haven, single family residences and the extensive Heritage Hills community enjoy the benefits of over 100 acres of parkland.   

Reis Park is a main activity center for Somers residents and offers athletic fields, court games, playgrounds, fitness and nature trails, a large picnic pavilion and a performance stage. Somer’s annual Fourth of July celebration at Reis Park is a much anticipated event not only for the fireworks, but for the sense of community it brings to the town. 

Stuart’s Fruit Farm is the oldest working farm in Westchester County. Family-owned since 1828, the 6th generation of Stuart farmers tends to 200 acres of apple orchards, pumpkin fields and vegetable crops. In the fall, this attraction is the penultimate for apple pickers, with nine different varieties of apples.  

For trivia buffs and historians, Somers holds the distinction as the birthplace of the world famous Barnum and Bailey Circus, which began with one elephant purchased in 1797 by Hachaliah Bailey. Somers Elephant Hotel is a National Historic Landmark.

The Somers video helps to capture the essence of the community:

Here are a few available properties in Somers: 3036218 150x150 Out and About in Somers

 159 Heritage Hills features 1,780 sqft. of living space with 1 car attached garage. Large kitchen with breakfast nook and lots of storage space.

3105237 150x150 Out and About in Somers  203 Briarwood Drive is a beautifully maintained contemporary raised ranch located in sought after Greenbriar. Set on a quiet cul-de-sac, the property backs up to green space with a very large, private yard.

3018769 150x150 Out and About in Somers 4 Sutton Pl, Katonah PO is a gorgeously built 5 BR house located next to Angle Fly Preserve an exclusive 654 acres of preserved nature and beauty. The features include hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen, stone fireplace, mahogany porch, in-ground heated pool, home theater, wine cellar and much more.

Out and About in Harrison, NY

0 Comments By Gay Prizio on January 27th, 2011
Tags: , ,      Categories: Buying, Market Area, Out and About, Town Guides, Westchester

For those who like trivia, Harrison, New York is both a town and village, and one of only five town villages in the state of New York. Purchase is a hamlet located within Harrison and is known for estate homes that sit on large parcels of former farm land. This bucolic area is also home to Manhattanville College, The Neuberger Museum, SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center and the Donald M Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo.

Harrison is a metro-north stop and just 30 minutes from Grand Central Terminal. Steps from the station are great restaurants such as Trinity Bar & Grill, Trattoria Vivolo, Rue Des Crepes. Residents love the easy accessibility to all major highways, including 287, the Hutchinson River Parkway and Interstate 95.

Harrison has a wide variety of housing and several neighborhoods to chose from. here is a sampling of Harrison listings:

1 bliss farm 150x150 Out and About in Harrison, NY

1 Bliss Farm Drive in Harrison

Located on a secluded cul-de-sac this young colonial has double entry hallway leads to living room, formal dining room , family room with fireplace , powder room, gourmet kitchen with French Doors leading to patio & yard.

11 wendover 150x150 Out and About in Harrison, NY

11 Wendover Road in Rye PO

Spectacular 6 Bedroom, 5 1/2 bath Colonial home on 1.01 level acre in sought after Park Ridge Area. Completely renovated and expanded in 1999, this home has incredible outdoor space; a front yard big enough for soccer practice, side yard is a personal playground, and backyard features a sport court for the athletes in the house.

Watch our video on HLtv for a slice of what life is like in Harrison.

Out and About in White Plains

0 Comments By Gay Prizio on January 12th, 2011
Tags: ,      Categories: Buying, Market Area, Out and About, Town Guides, Westchester

This “City of Parks and Neighborhoods” is a walker’s paradise. The scores of cherry trees that bloom in late spring are reason for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Full Bloom. White Plains is an energetic community that offers its residents a full calendar of events.

Just 25 miles from New York City, White Plains has 2 Metro-North stops. The downtown area has a strong corporate presence and large companies such as Starwood, IIT, Nokia andHeinekin have offices in White Plains. The marriage of urban and suburban, commerce, residential and retail, give White Plains a pulse that is unique to Westchester County. Take a look at the Houlihan Lawrence White Plains video.

White Plains is known for its urban feel and vibrant downtown, as well as being home to one of the finest shopping mall’s on the East coast, The Westchester. The Westchester is anchored by Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, and home to everything from Gucci and Louis Vuitton to Anthropologie and Williams-Sonoma.

Mamaroneck Avenue is White Plain’s main thoroughfare and has become a hub of great restaurants, entertainment and nightlife. Cinema De Lux has an 18-screen theater in City Center and across the street, the Ritz Carlton’s rooftop restaurant, 42 The Restaurant, has gourmet fare with panoramic views. White Plain’s eclectic selection of cuisine for fine and casual dining includes Haiku and Legal Seafood on Mamaroneck Avenue.

White Plains also has a wide variety of housing choices. Close to the downtown area are many condos and co-ops and further from town are single family homes at price points that can accommodate every buyer.

Here is a sample of a few active listings in White Plains:

The Condominiums at 5 Minerva Place in White Plains are brand new, energy efficient homes with Corian counter tops, wood floors, in-unit laundry and geothermal heating and a/c.

At 22 Ogden Avenue, the pride in ownership is apparent in this lovingly maintained four bedroom Colonial. Gleaming hardwood floors, classic brick mantle fireplace, sitting room with built-ins, updated eat in kitchen with pantry that offers loads of storage.

This center hall brick colonial at 5 Little John Place is located on one of Gedney Farms prettiest tree lined street.  Sun filled and freshly painted, the home features a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances & granite counters, hardwood floors, and oversized bedrooms.

To learn more about the White Plains real estate market, go to www.houlihanlawrence.com for the Monthly Market Report.

HLtv Premieres

0 Comments By Gay Prizio on October 28th, 2010
Tags: , , ,      Categories: Dutchess, Market Area, Out and About, Putnam, Town Guides, Westchester

Watching videos on one of our three screens — computer, smart phone or TV – has become the choice of many for media consumption. According to Adweek, more than 10 billion videos were streamed in the U.S. last month alone. The marriage of sight, sound and motion make for compelling storytelling and that is why we have embarked on a new marketing project.

The Houlihan Lawrence Community Video series, a collection of “slice of life” videos for the communities we serve, recently launched at Houlihanlawrence.com/HLtv. The goal of the video series is to provide a vivid look into what it’s like to actually live in each of these towns.

These 2-minute videos, most town-specific, others capture larger swaths in Westchester, Dutchess and Putnam Counties, are in the voice of people who live and work in these communities. Many of the videos participants are City mayors, residents, town historians, small business owners, school principals, and little league coaches who make up the fabric of the community. In their own words, they share their experiences and stories about their community and provide a firsthand account of what makes their town so special.

We hope you enjoy the videos as much as our storytellers enjoyed speaking about their towns. Watch all the videos today at Houlihanlawrence.com/HLtv.

NYCBackyard HLtv Premieres

NYC's Backyard

Armonk for Foodies

0 Comments By Frederick Romley on October 18th, 2010
Tags: , , ,      Categories: Buying, Market Area, Town Guides, Westchester

The suburban town of Armonk, in New York’s Westchester County, was not a destination that sprung to mind when looking for a foodie destination. All that has changed in the last few months.

The New York Times recently reviewed the Moderne Barn in Armonk in an article titled “Serving up Style and Atmosphere.” In the review Moderne Barn was given a rating of “Don’t Miss.”

Also opening up this summer was Restaurant North, a collaboration between two alums of Danny Meyer’s restaurant empire in the city. You can read Liz Johnson’s article “Inside: Restaurant North in Armonk or you can read about Restaurant North on Yelp, where I was the first to review the new restaurant.

If that is not enough to satisfy the foodie in you, then you should try the Burger Factory. Josh Elstein, a CIA grad has opened up a Westchester version of the Shake Shack here in Armonk. M.H. Reed wrote about the Burger Factory in a New York Times post, “Burgers With a Personal Touch” (Disclosure: I am currently the Foursquare Mayor of the Burger Factory).

If you’d like to be a part of the Armonk Foodie crowd, here is a selection of Armonk houses for sale:

C 101 2914896 1 Armonk for Foodies

This 5 bedroom Colonial is located just 1 1/2 miles from the Burger Factory. The home is 2700 sq. feet on 0.28 acres with a large kitchen with granite counter tops and a family room with a fireplace.
Click here for more photos and details.

This 4 bedroom, 4 1/2 bath home is located a mile from Moderne Barn.
Sitting on 3.11 acres this 7,039 sq. foot home is located in the Yale Yard area of Armonk.
There is a first floor master suite and a kitchen featuring all commercial grade appliances for those nights you can’t make it to the Armonk restaurant scene .
Click here for more photos and details.

Located 1 mile from Moderne Barn, this Smart Home features stunning custom architectural distinction coupled with unprecedented details, and encompasses numerous cutting-edge amenities and state-of-the-art electronics.
The 5 bedroom home is 11,350 sq. feet on almost 2 acres.
For outdoor entertaining there is a heated concrete pool with spa, Norwegian Buff stone patio with cabana bar and barbecue and lush level lawn.
Click here for more photos and details.
If you know of any other great foodie destinations in Armonk, please share them with me.

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