ROSS-HAND MANSION
HISTORIC HOME IN ROCKLAND COUNTY
By Lyle Seltzer
Welcome to the Ross-Hand Mansion. For a fraction of the price of a penthouse, you can own one of the most admired homes in the Hudson River Valley. Perfectly situated at the top of 4 private, manicured acres with commanding views of the Hudson River and the Village of South Nyack below.
This 5700 sf Gothic Revival mansion was built for famed architect Azariah Ross, who designed the stone bridges that can be seen throughout Central Park and the stone retaining walls surrounding the U S Military Academy at West Point.
After Ross, the property was acquired by Mary and William H. Hand. Much of the detailed woodwork in the home was added by Hand, known for his intricate woodwork in the mansions in Newport, RI. He was an entrepreneur, savvy businessman and a master builder, building many of the grand homes along Park Avenue in NYC. He helped build Castle Rock aka Osborn’s Castle, in Garrison, NY – one of the most recognizable man-made landmarks in the Hudson Valley. He also rebuilt Lord’s Castle in Piermont and built many mansions for the coal barons in Scranton, Pa.
Their grandson, also named William Henry Hand was Thomas Edison’s assistant and worked alongside Edison at the home. What was once Hand’s and Edison’s workshop is now a fully outfitted home gym.
The Ross-Hand Mansion was originally built as a summer home, the front-to-back living room features two of the original fireplaces, which allowed the Hands to enjoy the home well into the colder months. Over the years, 5 more fireplaces were added and the home became their primary residence.
Of special note is the Carrera marble Italian fireplace that is the focal point of the library. According to William Hand’s grandson, Hand purchased the fireplace from the estate of A.T. Stewart, who was the founder of the first department store in the country and lived in a white marble mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York. Installed in 1890, it was one of the few Italian fireplace designs in the country and its uniqueness was noted by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The marble used was purportedly made from marble that Michelangelo used.
Grand rooms and elegant details combine beautifully with the thoughtful updates making for warm and comfortable modern living. The stunning new riverview master bedroom suite features a fireplace, multiple closets and a magnificent bath with radiant heat. A brand new guest suite with a private bath was recently added as well. There is a private au pair suite and two additional bedrooms and bath on the second floor, making for a total of 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms on this level.
The kitchen features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the front and back lawns, as well as an exposed brick wall, center work island, two Sub-Zero refrigerators, two dishwashers and a beverage/wine refrigerator.
A few of the other features you can enjoy include magnificent chandeliers, seven fireplaces, a full walk-up attic, a working greenhouse, wraparound veranda and a barn with garages and professional-quality gym.
The mansion is located only 17 miles north of the GWB and 2 miles west of the Tappan Zee Bridge, with easy access to major roadways and public transportation makes commuting into NYC a breeze.
The once in a lifetime opportunity to own this iconic residence is now a realty with the home listed on the market for $1,852,000. Info: thehandmansion.com.
Interested parties should contact Donna Cox, Associate Broker, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty in Nyack, NY with any questions and to arrange property viewings. Phone: 845-641-8613, e-mail: donna.cox@randrealty.com.
