The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05
VAN CORTLANDT SALE
AN EPOCH IN REALTY
Will Mark Last Large Offering of Lots
on Worlds Greatest Street" -
Estate Is 200 Years Old

Much conjecture was started recently by
en- announcement which appeared in the
advertising columns of the daily press
bearing the cryptic word, "BAL b.
During the period of It's publication
the advertisement somewhat mystified
the public and many guesses were
made at its meaning and purport. Prac-
tcally everything from a new automo-
bile TO patent hair restorer was
thought of. Some wag anticipating the
approaching prohibition enforcement
said 1t meant Buy Lot of Booze"
The mystery was cleared up. how
ever, when a subsequent advertisements
appeared over, the signature Of ]. Clar.
ence Davies, auctioneer, which read
"Buy Lot on Broadway" At the
same time the announcement was made
that the Van Cortlandt Estate had an
pointed ]. Clarence Davies, agent and
suctioneer to sell the remainder of its
vacant holdings in the west Bronx at
public auction to the highest bidder
The Offering consists of 249 lots sit
uated on the west side of Broadway
overlooking Van Cortlandt Park, from
242d street to 256th street. and will DO
sold in the Real Estate Exchange at
II Vesey street on Tuesday, October IA,
The placing of this property on the
market at this time occasioned No little
surprise in real estate circles, espe-
cially In view Of the fact that Van
Cortlandt Estate had had plans under
preparation for the improvement Of
the property with apartment houses,
dwellings and business and amusement
buildings. The war brought the plans
to a halt and delayed the project in
definitely, and finally the estate de-
dded to forego the scheme entirely.
Advancing age coupled with a desire
10 relieve himself OF the cares and re-
possibilities of the management Of
extensive real estate holdings is be-
hevsd to have actuated Augustus Van
Cbrtandt. one of the principal heirs, In
deciding to dispose Of the property in
tn entirety.
Areuses Widespread Interest.
Incidentally. however. the sale of this
property which has, been held in tn.
ownership Of one family for more than
two centuries and a half will provide
builders operators and investors with
q rare opportunity to procure at their
eNu valuation plots suitable for imme-
e1ate Improvement, which should go O
iong way towards relieving the crying
heed for more living quarters for the
housing OF the thousands of homeless
tenants
From the standpoint of the builder
and investor, as we'll as the homeseeker
the Van Cortlandt property to be sold
possesses many attractions not found
elsewhere. Beginning at the 242d street
subway terminus. at the transfer point
to Yonkers, where a tremendous tide
Of pedestrian and vehicular traffic con-
verses there are about 160 lots of vary
Ing dimensions fronting directly on
Broadway overlooking the park parade
grounds, and extending the entire
length of the property to 256th street.
On this frontage business is permitted.
The interior lots to the west of Broad
way are suitable both for dwelling and
apartment house improvement. In
cluded in this sale are about twenty
four buildings, dwellings, hotels, stores,
&C. all yielding good rentals. With the