Ossining Chosen as Best Place for Architecture by Westchester Magazine

I may be biased; I was raised in the Indian Village in Ossining and I love pre war buildings, so I totally agree with Westchester Magazine’s selection of Ossining as the best place in the county for architecture admirers. Ossining has some absolutely beautiful structures, both buildings downtown and homes around the town. I have posted previously about the stunning beauty of Ossining’s churches  as well.

I have sold homes all over the county. Pelham is fantastic for Tudors. Bedford had some amazing contemporaries, and estates to die for. Peekskill has some great Victorians. Bronxville has a downtown that is iconic. There is phenomenal architecture all around. But for one town, Ossining does indeed take the prize in my opinion as well.

In between appointments today I brought my camera and took a few shots to illustrate why they made the right selection.

This is the Mundet Mansion on Osage Drive in the Indian Village. I grew up across the street. It is now an apartment building and has been restored gloriously since being bought in the 1970s.

Downtown. The Bank for Saving has an ornate copper trim that gives it a regal aura.The spires of the First Baptist Church are in the background.

Upper Main Street, Ossining. The buildings were rundown when I was a kid in the 1970s. Virtually all have been renovated and renewed in the past 10 years.  The architecture and design have been preserved.

This is a classic Mansard roof. Ossining has quite a few of these beauties, and many homeowners dote on their treasures, painting the trim in flattering fashion. I love the design of the multi colored scallop roof tile on this one.

The judge’s house on Belleview Avenue. I listed and sold this gorgeous home in 2006. The home was built by a judge in the 1920’s with stones  from the shore of the Hudson. It was the village speakeasy, and the tavern remained in the basement for over 70 years. I get a kick out of the fact that the judge ran a speakeasy. Peter Faulk of TV fame grew up a few blocks from this home on Prospect Avenue.

A picturesque Tudor on Browning Drive, a street with its share of lovely homes.

Maryknoll Mission. Built in the 1920s, it has been the home to one of the world’s largest Catholic foreign missions in the world. The entire campus, half of which is in the town of Ossining on the New Castle border, is all stone and appealing. But the jewel on the crown is the main building, modeled as an Asian Pagoda.

See what I mean? I live 5 minutes from every structure in this article. And they are all more beautiful in person. Take a drive over and see for yourself. While you’re here, get some espresso at Tuscan Grille or some sushi at Okinawa Hibachi. You’ll thank me.