311 West 245th Street

Modernized and move-in ready! This beautiful Fieldston property has been lovingly maintained and substantially updated - seamlessly blending the gracious design elements of the past with the amenities and finishes we’ve come to expect in the present. Designed in 1914 by celebrated architects Mann & MacNeille, this historic Craftsman home is a stunning example of the Medieval Revival style. Fairytale charm and curb appeal abound from the terra-cotta exterior walls faced in solid fieldstone to the slate-covered hipped roof with dormers and gables. The ~.25 acre plot is well situated and surrounded by elegant landscaping, featuring bluestone sidewalks and path, brand new asphalt driveway lined with Belgian blocks, and a layered yard with established plantings, which includes flat grass, a graveled play area, raised garden bed, and a fantastic terrace that was built for outdoor dining and entertaining. The interior has been tastefully updated over the years with both new and recent renovations, including: gorgeously refinished original hardwood floors, updated bathrooms, and professional painting throughout. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, white shaker cabinetry, and black stone counters. There is a convenient secondary entry to the kitchen from the driveway which features large picture windows with peaceful views of the rear garden. There is also a first floor powder room. The formal dining room is right off the kitchen and has wonderful light from multiple exposures. The large living room has a wood burning fireplace and double french doors to the covered stone sunporch, which functions perfectly as a cozy den or media room. The second floor contains four bedrooms, each with multiple exposures, and two renovated baths with excellent finishes. The third floor features two small bedrooms which can be combined into one larger/proper bedroom, but which function now as perfect “Zoom” rooms - where you can work or study from home in style. The unfinished basement is large, painted, and clean, and also features a generously sized and windowed laundry room, separate entrance, full bathroom, and ample storage. Double-paned windows, gas fueled heat, a brand new hot water heater, two-zone Carrier central air conditioning, and updated 200 Amp electrical service round out the offerings of this spectacular home. Fieldston is a stunning, 140 acre, privately owned enclave of ~256 architecturally significant houses located within the highest and most northwestern neighborhood of New York City - Riverdale. Originally laid out by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux (co architects of Central Park), Fieldston has been widely recognized as an early example of the romantically planned suburb in America - an idea influenced by the transcendentalist philosophies of Thoreau and Emerson and the concept of the English picturesque landscape. The integration of domestic architecture into the beauty of a natural landscape is a defining characteristic of the Fieldston neighborhood and separates it from the urban grid layout found nearby in Manhattan. Set among winding streets, with massive trees, and ancient rock outcroppings, the homes in Fieldston are unique. A number of architectural styles are represented; Tudor, Mediterranean, Gerorgian Revival, and Craftsman, among others. Many having been designed by what can only be called some of New York City’s first “starchitechts”, most prolifically Dwight James Baum and Julius Gregory. The neighborhood and many of its homes have been singled out in prominent publications like Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, and Country Life since the 1930’s. Recognizing the uniqueness and significance of the area, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated Fieldston as a Historic District in 2006. Fieldston’s private streets are open to traffic, but parking is only for residents. Delafield Park, a small private space within Fieldston, features a pond, where you’ll find turtles, goldfish, ducks, and the occasional egret. Transportation to Manhattan is effortless, with Metro North, the #1 train, and Express Buses to midtown all nearby. Houses of worship, public and private schools, restaurants, and shopping are all close by.