Susanna Saarinen

…FROM HERE TO ETERNITY! Upper Manhattan real estate is known for its generous square footages, but units with more than two bedrooms tend to be far and few in between even in what local residents lovingly call upstate Manhattan. Well, you’ve just stumbled onto one of these unicorns: with four (!) real-size bedrooms and two full baths, this is a home that you grow into instead of growing out of. If you enjoy easy access to all amenities and the excitement only NYC can offer, but want to come home to a serene escape with a more leisurely pace of life, there couldn’t be a more perfect opportunity than Inwood, where green is the operative word – as suggested by its name.

No description will do justice to this dreamy abode, but here are some of the highlights before you get to witness it for yourself: the entrance opens to a gigantic (no exaggeration!) central foyer/dining area/living room/kitchen combo that seamlessly joins the two “wings” of the home, making it SO much more than a sum of its parts. In the east wing with bright morning sunlight and tree views you will find three of the four bedrooms and one of the original baths with the coveted yellow-and-black tiling quintessential to this architectural period, and the west wing with soft afternoon light and more trees includes the fourth bedroom with the other period-style bath complete with authentic fixtures. The fully updated south-facing open concept island kitchen features white shaker-style cabinetry and stainless/black appliances complemented by brushed steel backsplash, an industrial-style range hood, creative built-ins for seating and storage – FINALLY a place for all your cookbooks! – and granite counters from here to eternity. This sprawling home lives like a house, but its size isn’t its only spectacular quality: the many enchanting deco details combined with stylish updates make it a true gem in the real sense of the word. You won’t find any clunky paint here: all doors with lovely deco hardware have been sanded to a velvety smooth close, and all steel frames have been meticulously stripped, most left with a raw industrial-style original finish. The walls and ceilings are equally flawless, and the many thoughtfully crafted modern radiator covers and built-in shelves create a seamless transition from old to new. Other period details include exquisite herringbone oak floors, architectural beams, and high ceilings, and you won’t run out of storage space any time soon either with 11 (yes, you read right!) closets.

In addition to the beauty of the apartment itself, Park Terrace Gardens offers a myriad of amenities to its residents, including public rooftop terraces with grilling/gardening opportunities (this building’s deck has breathtaking views of the Hudson River and Inwood Hill Park!), beautifully manicured private gardens with quiet seating (even composting is available!), concierge services (never miss a package again!), bike storage (wait-listed), and on-site management for immediate support. There isn’t a nicer transition from your home to the outside world than the quiet rustle of the leaves and the choir of birds greeting you at your doorsteps, so upgrade your standard of living with just one offer!

This fantastic nabe has great outdoor opportunities, providing easy access to tennis, basketball, and handball courts, baseball and soccer fields, hiking/biking trails, and kayaking. It boasts the best dog run of the city (according to many) and is a nature-loving city-dweller’s fantasy fulfilled. The local services include a year-round farmer’s market, cafes and restaurants, banks, florists, and hardware stores; River Plaza shopping center with Target, Marshall’s, etc. is only a short distance away. Inwood is serviced by A express and 1 local subway lines, Metro North (Marble Hill), and the east-side express bus to lower Manhattan, and is easily accessible by most major highways.