If ever there were a house apt to dole out king-sized candy bars at Halloween, it’s this one: a cliffside residence in the Hudson Heights neighborhood of New York, NY, known locally as “The Pumpkin House” (16 Chittenden Ave., New York, NY 10033). The moniker is a nod to the home’s west-facing facade, which takes on the uncanny semblance of a jack-o’-lantern once day turns to night and the lights flicker on inside.
There’s more to this local landmark than just a toothy grin and internet fame, however. Inside, you’ll find six bedrooms, three full bathrooms, an updated kitchen, and an overall aesthetic that can only be described as modern-meets-vintage with a dash of eclecticism — currently listed for sale with a price tag of $5.25 million. And just wait ’til you see the gourd-geous views from the rooftop terrace!
To quote the listing agent, the home’s 421-square-foot, wood-paneled living room is “unusually long,” and the majority of its south-facing wall has been taken over by picture windows. (That would make the window sharing a wall with Marilyn Monroe the “nose” of the jack-o’-lantern.) And check out that view of the George Washington Bridge!
One of the first rooms to greet visitors beyond the street-level vestibule is the formal dining room. Measuring just under 240 square feet, the generously sized space speaks to the home’s 1920 construction with decorative moldings, vintage candelabra sconces, and parquet floors. The knickknacks and art, on the other hand, speak to the eclectic taste of the current owner.
The vintage-eclectic vibe is carried through to the kitchen, which is dubbed “refurbished French country” in the home’s listing. Stainless steel appliances, sleek stone countertops, and modern cabinetry stand in contrast to old-fashioned black-and-white tile flooring and a retro-looking hutch. Note that the tile from the backsplash crawls all the way up the walls and blankets the ceiling.
This cozy library is sandwiched between the kitchen and dining room. It’s on the smaller side at less than 85 square feet, but floor-to-ceiling bookcases provide ample space for collectible tomes and dog-eared best-sellers.
Also accessible from the kitchen, this amazing outdoor space spans the entire length of the living room and allows for one-of-a-kind views of the Palisades and Manhattan. Can you imagine the sunsets you’d witness out here?
One of five bedrooms upstairs, the master suite is roughly the same size as the dining room. Natural light floods the space through two oversized windows, while parquet floors and stained glass contribute to the home’s allover charm. The foot of the bed points toward two closets and an en-suite full bathroom.
From this bedroom, you’d be able to enjoy those awesome south-facing views of the George Washington Bridge and beyond. (In case you were wondering, the “eyes” of the pumpkin can be found in the bedroom on the opposite end of the house from the master suite, above the living room.)
All treats, no tricks! The Pumpkin House also includes an 800-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment below street level. The expanse of windows toward the center of the photo is responsible for the home’s toothy grin.
Thanks to a jack-o’-lanternesque facade, this 3,144-square-foot home in Upper Manhattan has drawn plenty of attention. But for those lucky enough to tour the six-bedroom home, which also includes a one-bedroom apartment, all Halloween antics take a back seat to the view from the full-length rooftop terrace. Encompassing the Manhattan skyline, the New Jersey Palisades, and the George Washington and Tappan Zee bridges, the panorama is made possible by The Pumpkin House’s cliffside perch high above the Hudson River.
