1530 River Road

This is an original 1911 Hudson River Arts and Crafts Cottage with an architecturally sensitive 2006 addition. The home is consistent with the design principles of Downing & Davis. Andrew Downing was a landscape architect and author of the book Cottage Residences (1842). Along with architect Alexander Davis, their design principles for river cottages and villas defined Hudson River architecture from the mid-1880s to the 1920s. For rural cottages, their concepts emphasized ingeniously arranged floor plans that harmoniously blended the architecture with the natural landscape. The result was compact, convenient and comfortable homes that fit into and complemented their surroundings. One of the signature elements of this style was orienting the home such that its front faced the Hudson River. This home is true to those design elements, being sensitively located to take best advantage of the property’s impressive easterly views, including the Hudson River, Berkshires and Green Mountains. The property is historically significant, originally owned by Pieter Bronck and was in the Bronck family from the 1700s to the early 1900s. Known as the “First Bronck Farm,” it was originally improved by a two-story stone house (circa 1800), referred to as “Bronck House. Its ruins are still visible on the property. In the1800s, Bronck House was the home of Teunis B. VanSlyke and his wife, Judith Bronck. In the 1970s, the property was purchased by James A. Warren, an attorney, whose family was prominent in Greene County in the early 20th century. James’ father, Leonard, was the founder and president of the National Bank of Coxsackie. The house, pool and outbuildings are situated in roughly the center of the property, providing complete privacy.