Homes that Have What?
by INHABIT EDITORS
Since you wouldn’t believe us otherwise, we’re here to show the wildest features at Corcoran listings across the country (and beyond).
After a half-century in the business (with a home base in New York, no less), it goes without saying that we’ve seen a lot of houses. Nevertheless, a beauty of this world is that there’s always something new to learn experience, and discover.
From condos and co-ops, ranches to lofts, we set out to find Corcoran listings with incredible, one-of-a-kind attributes even we could call a doozy. From hidden subterranean passages to a bathtub that’s a real kick, these rare traits put these properties in a league of their own.
Old-Fashioned Pub | 470 West 143rd Street, Hamilton Heights, NYCYou needn’t pour out all your frequent flier miles to holler at the tube Ted Lasso-style over a cheeky pint. The sixth floor of this Hamilton Heights townhouse boasts its own authentic English-style pub—and it’s anything but your typical home bar. This hand-carved masterpiece feels straight out of a Newcastle watering hole, adorned with intricate details, stained glass panels, and a vintage cash register we’d imagine filled with more pounds than Presidents. For a different way to unwind, soak off the stresses of city live in the back garden’s hot tub, or sprawl out on the double roof deck that soars over the home’s six flawless floors. Cheers!
Represented By: Tamara Marotta of Corcoran’s Chelsea/Flatiron Office.
Basketball Court | 164 East 70th Street, Upper East Side, NYCThis Upper East Side manse is a slam dunk across all seven of its levels, but it’s the top one that really buzzes the scoreboard. Here, you’ll find a full, private basketball court under a windowed clerestory and soaring 15-foot-five ceilings. It’s reached by the home’s elevator, and there’s a full bathroom to freshen up after a strenuous round of layups. The rest of the 20-foot-wide brownstone—fully remodeled BWArchitects, PSA Studios, and interior designer Kari McCabe—is equally impressive: Wood-burning fireplaces, plaster moldings, and oak paneling provide divine historical details, while towering windows frame the tranquil and private backyard.
Represented By: Cathy Franklin, Alexis Bodenheimer, Jamie Hannon, and Nika Kneitschel of Corcoran’s East Side Office.
Moat, Drawbridge, and Waterfall | 225 East 21st Street, Gramercy, NYCIt’s not every day you see “moat drawbridge” as a listing amenity, let alone in Manhattan. In the historic core of Gramercy, this onetime dental factory was transformed into its architect’s personal live-work habitat, and it couldn’t possibly be less conventional. The space breaks in thirds, reserving the front for work and the latter portions for living—a cantilevered sleeping loft floats above. Water divides each distinct function: Stepping stones link the main steps over a shallow rock pool, fed by a towering waterfall that cascades from under the bed. Over the “moat,” a footbridge connects the office and the open-concept kitchen, accented with a concrete island.
Represented By: Stefania Cardinali of Corcoran’s West Side Office.
Ice Cream Parlor | 21 Prospect Park West, Park Slope, BrooklynDentists, cover your eyes. There’s no better place to sink your sweet tooth than into the lower level of this Park Slope townhouse, which hosts a recreated 1950s soda fountain. The space nails that vintage-diner aesthetic, with its checkerboard flooring, stamped tin ceiling, and pastel-hued booth and stools. Forget delectable hors d’oeuvres and refreshing vintage wines: Your next gathering can entertain guests with two-scoop cones, frosty malteds, and unlimited toppings. Of course, it won’t be too difficult to lure friends over: This c.1901 Montrose W. Morris creation is Prospect Park-adjacent with a roof deck and over a century of well-honed charm.
Represented By: Jessica Buchman of Corcoran’s Park Slope Union Office.
Stiletto Bathtub | 7833 Atlantic Way, Miami Beach, FLMany, if not all, people have taken a bath at some point in their lives. We’ve also heard there was once an old woman who lived in a shoe. But have you ever had the distinct pleasure of bathing in a giant stiletto heel? Clad in red tile with golden butterfly inlay, this most unusual soaking vessel also comes with views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Is there a benefit to soaking in monstrous Manolo? There’s only one way to find out. But what is for certain is that this three-bedroom Miami Beach condo emits a specific allure. A golden dolphin statue greets you at the elevator. You’ll wash your hands at a sink where the handles are starfish-shaped and the faucet resembles a fish. In fact, this isn’t even the only tub done up in mosaics.
Represented By: Eloy Carmenate and Taylor Richardson of Corcoran’s Miami Beach Office.
Secret Tunnel | 924 Lapla Road, Kingston, NYLike any self-respecting castle, this bluestone palace in Kingston—the gateway to the Catskills—has a secret passageway: Open an unassuming door in the downstairs kitchen next to the rec room (there’s another full kitchen upstairs) and you’ll discover a 200-foot-long path to a huge barn. The lower level of the latter is currently configured as a multi-car garage, so one might see this underground tunnel as just an easy way to get to the car without being caught in the rain or cold. But those with a more imaginative turn of mind can style the tunnel as a secret connection between the two buildings. For an additional fairy-tale touch, there’s also a stone tower with the most spectacular panoramic views stretching from Mohonk to the high peaks of High Point, Peekamoose, and Wittenberg.
Represented By: Marie-Claire Gladstone, Will Cusak, and Lawrence O’Toole of Corcoran Country Living.
Private Runway | 6236 County Road, Elizabeth, COTired of TSA lines, $5 water bottles, and $28 beer? Then fly yourself home to your own Circle 8 Ranch Airport, which comes with its very own turf airstrips—plural. Located in the rural community of Elizabeth, this 180-acre property lies only about an hour east of downtown Denver. The majestic wide open Colorado landscape is yours as far as the eye can see, with rolling hills, meadows, a seasonal stream, and wildlife roaming the plains and hawks flying in the air. This is the American West of novels and films—a truly sublime landscape, complete with mineral rights and adjudicated water rights. Did we mention the bunker-like root cellar?
Represented By: Christine A. Trigg of Corcoran Perry & Co.
Ice Rink | 503 Studio Road, Stamford, CTA pool is certainly nice and so is a tennis court (and this property has both), but how many homes can boast of a professional ice rink? Built in 2004, this 130-by-72-foot indoor ice rink was designed, engineered, and constructed by the same world-renowned firm behind the rinks at Madison Square Garden, Prospect Park, and the University of Michigan. It’s perfectly sized for three-versus-three or four-versus-four player games. No detail was spared: There’s a fully integrated PA system, heated team benches, a digital scoreboard, a second-level viewing lounge with a terrace and an office, an ice melting pad, and of course, a Zamboni. Plus, there’s a two-bedroom main residence and a four-bedroom guest house—perfect for housing the opposing team.
Represented By: Jeffrey Jackson of Corcoran Centric Realty.
Why take the stairs when you can whoosh down this fabulous slide from the second floor down to the first? The slide isn’t the only unexpected element in this super-fun house—it also includes one of the world’s largest fish tanks filled with 20,000 gallons of water with a full pump and filtration system and windows into the tank in the living room. These features aren’t gimmicks though, instead they’re well-considered and playful elements of a house truly designed for living. Sure, there’s a home office available for working from paradise, but there’s also an outdoor shower and amazing landscaping that includes a pool, a backyard koi pond, and a dock.
Represented By: Paul Michael Young of Corcoran Cayman Islands.
Pool Window | Villa Palm Spring, St. BarthCannonball! Swimmers in this St. Barth pool can give a submerged wave to anyone staying in this most unusual bedroom that gives a direct underwater view into the pool without the need for goggles or a snorkel tube. Villa Palm Spring is the ultimate Caribbean vacation destination, built into the rugged hilltops of Lurin and boasting five bedrooms—each with its own en suite bathroom and a private terrace. Whether seen from below or above, the heated 18-meter-long heated infinity pool is a thing of beauty, with spectacular views of the island paradise below.
Represented By: Olivia Zefel of Corcoran St Barth.