This 157-Year-Old Mansion Is On Sale For Just $1 Million
A Hudson mansion built in 1865 has hit the market for just over $1 million, per the Houlihan Lawrence listing. The mansion, which has six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and over 4,800 square feet, has been known as the Hudson City Bed and Breakfast as of recently. Built by Mayor Joshua T. Waterman (who was in office a total of four times), it was inhabited by his family for a long time, including his wife and 12 children, according to New York Post. The current owner, Barry Butterfield, has run the bed and breakfast for almost 20 years, amassing a 9.4 rating on Booking.com.
The house itself is gorgeous and holds fast to its historic charm. The house is listed as French style and has a charming historical façade with lots of curbside appeal — whether the next owners decide to continue to run the home as a bed and breakfast or to establish it as a permanent residence.
A historical fixer upper
So, why is it only $1 million? For a house of its size, historical value, and location, plus the real estate market favoring sellers, it comes as a shock to many that the home comes at such a discounted price point. This is for a few reasons. The house itself is listed as being a fixer-upper, as it offers the new owner a unique opportunity to renovate as they see fit.
As a historic house, there are a few old quirks; the New York Post noted a review for the bed and breakfast that said the bathroom door wouldn't close all the way without scraping the floor. And while some of those quirks, like uneven molding and its slightly shabby chic aesthetic, are dismissible as part of the historic charm, others, like cracks in the wall and ceiling water damage, are a little more intense.
The exterior of the house is a gorgeous light green with a red door and red and brown window trimmings. The porch is large and inviting, with plenty of space to sit and view the neighborhood. The mansard roof has shingles that could use a refresher and original brick chimneys.
Hudson historical charm
The interior of the house and soon-to-be-former bed and breakfast is packed with historical charm and is being sold furnished, according to New York Post. The entryway of the house is met immediately with a gorgeous red-carpeted spiral staircase, with heavy wood railing and a built-in lamp on the post. A beautiful and antique light pendant hangs in the center of the entryway, immediately inundating guests with the historic appeal and quaintness offered by the property.
The living room is intimate and cozy has a gorgeous vintage fireplace with an ornate mirror above the mantle. Large windows are trimmed with rich, heavy wood. A brass chandelier hangs in the center of the room, with beautiful wall sconces to help aid in lighting. A Persian rug sits in the center of the room with two comfortable-looking cream couches and a wingback chair, perfect for relaxing or reading by the fire.
Quaint New York appeal
The six bedrooms are all straight out of a period drama, with low ceilings, gorgeous wood floors, large, dramatic antique furniture, carved doors, and large windows. One room has a large wooden canopy bed frame, whereas another has a more delicate white one. Beautiful vintage chairs, dressers, lamps, and side tables add a quaint touch and cozy feeling to the rooms. One room has original sliding French doors with carved wood instead of glass leading into one of the bedrooms.
Even the restrooms have a certain historical charm. One picture from the listing shows a bathroom with more modern updates, such as a modern toilet, shower, and sink. It still has a rustic and vintage-inspired look, though, with a dark wood sink cabinet, original windows, and architecture. Other neat features of the house, according to New York Post, include an accessible widow's walk (one of the only in Hudson), 11-foot tall ceilings, and lion's heads carved into the doors.