New-York tribune., 1922-11-12
S4,O00,00O
Cost OF New
Pelham Homes
Big Year Of Construction
and Of Realty Trading
in Many Other Sections
of Wesgclscsier County
BY Chauncey 3. GriGen


The suburban realty market, particu-
larly In Wesechestcr County, during
the present year, has had phenome-
| nal growth. At the beginning of the
year there were many who wanted 20
| build new homes, but felt that build
| ing prices would recede somewhat.
This condition, however, never came TO
pass; those who we're fortunate enough
to build during the early part Of the
| season received an advantage over
those who delayed until later in the
summer
This building activity, in my opinion,
Is not an unhealthy Boom" but
natural condition caused by the desire
of New Workers to move to the country
and to enjoy the many convcniences
and improvements created in recent
years for the suburbanite. To-day it
is possible in any suburban community
in Westchester County to have all city
advantages and yet be within only q
few minutes ride Of Grand Central on
the best railroads in the country.
The selling at tha beginning of the
year was somewhat limited. In compari-
son with the latter months OF the year.
II is hard to de: .rmine just which par
experienced the most active selling.
Pelham, with its proximity to New
York, and where there has probably
been the highest percentage of CON
struction, has enjoyed a very active
market. Homes selling at $4,000 to
$4,000 have been marketed as quickly
as they were completed Construction
in Pelham. this year, of private resi-
dences and apartments, has exceeded
$4,00o,000. Yet, there are few COM
pleted new homes unsold.
Building in New Rochelle
In New Rochelle, particularly in the
North Avenue district, new construc-
tion has been amazing, consist ng
wholly of private one-family and two
family homes, ranging in cost from
perienced it's busiest year.
With the additional transit facilities
of the new spur OF the New York &
Westchester e. Boston Railroad,
building has been carried on, on a
large scale. Larchmont Park and Gar
dens, Chatsworth Heights and Larch-
mont Center. have been improved with
many new, private homes which have
been selling readily at $4,000 TO
S25,000
At Rye, with the opening of the new
SLlo, HSW IHLSE-
est was created. and to-day Rye is a
most tactive spot. While building has
been more limited than in some othsr
sections the older houses have enjoyed
a very active market, and at present
there are numerous plans being figured
Probably 200 houses will be built there
during the next few months. i
The White Plains and ScarsdaIe dis
tricts in the center of the county have
seen most prosperous year. Build
ing contracts in this area are nearing
the billion mark. The business section
Of White Plains, particularly MARITIME
Avenue, is being improved with the
finest order of business buildings. 4
recent deal, which will mean much 20
White Plains, was the leasing by the
New York Central Railroad Of the
large vacant square opposite it's White
Plains station. Max Marks has leased
this entire block for sixty-three years
and will erect brick store and office
building costing, approximately $1,000
900. New residence construction has
varied from the small six-room and
bath house at $500 to the more pre-
tentious estate costing $780, 600 One |
OF the active building sections in White |
Pialns has been the White Plains High |
lands.
Bonxville and Mount Vernon have
been keeping pace with the times, the !
principal activity being the private |
homes and apartments.
The more northerly section of the |
county, through Pleasantville, Chap
paqua, Mount Kisco and Katonaf, /
where properties are available with
smaller and iargs acreage, is now be-
ginning to attract the New York busi- /
ness man who wants to enjoy real /
farm life and who can spare little +
more time FOR committing. In this
section many Of the older dwellings
of farmhouse type have been pur- |
chased. with small acreage, and re- I
modelled into beautiful. inexpensive I
Colonial homes. The larger estates. I
those running in price over S16o,o0o, /
nave not been in active demand. prob /
ably due TO the cost OF upkeep and /
the servant problem.
Big Increase in Population
1t is difficult to keep pace with the |
increased population of Westchester
County, but the most authentic figures
obtainable show that Westchester has
increased at least 10000 in population t
this year. From the present outlook
this rate of increase should continue
steadily.
During the last twelve months land I
values have increased considerably /
more than building costs, and with t.e |
amount or new construction necessary I
INSTRUCTION 4