A Riverdale co-op with a rich history and many amenities
The 13-story Briar Oaks, a two-building project of prominent New York City developer Fisher Brothers, has a rich history, including tenant activism and social justice. However, the hilltop land on Henry Hudson Parkway saw plenty of activity even before it was built in 1953. The site was home to the grand and sprawling 1923 nightlife spot Ben Riley’s Arrowhead Inn, which featured an open-air dining area with fountains, an outdoor dance floor and, for those in the know, a speakeasy. The arrowheads unearthed during the construction of the apartment building likely indicate that the Lenape also made the site home centuries ago (and perhaps inspired Ben Riley to name his property.) In the 1950s, an early resident of the building was Tony Bennett. When rents skyrocketed and conditions deteriorated in the building, disgruntled residents were told to move. Instead, they formed the Briar Oaks Tenant Association and conducted a rent strike. The same group successfully fended off an early effort to convert the building to co-ops in 1982 with a “no-buy” pledge among residents. In the 1960s, community members rallied in support of a Black couple denied an apartment in the building. The threat of a protest resulted in the admission of the couple and other black applicants going forward. According to resident and writer for the co-op newsletter The Briar Oak Leaf Neill Rosenfeld, today the building community is quite diverse. “It’s racially mixed, it’s ethnically mixed,” he told The Riverdale Press. “It’s religiously mixed. And it has been a place without problems for the last 25 years that we’ve been operating.”
One- to three bedrooms, some with terraces or river views
Homes in the co-op include one- to three-bedroom units. One-bedrooms up to 950 square feet list for $255,000 or more. Two-bedrooms measuring as much as 1,250 square feet sell for $515,000 or less. Three-bedrooms can be as large as 1,400 square feet and ask $410,000 and higher.
Units have hardwood floors, picture windows and generous proportions. Many homes have terraces. Apartments facing west on higher floors have views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades. East-facing homes offer views of Van Cortlandt Park. “Even from the lower floors, you still have nice views because you’re on a hill,” says Moda Realty broker Greg Kochanov, who lived in the building for nine years and has sold more than 50 homes in the co-op.
Indoor and outdoor amenities, parking and recent upgrades
The co-op’s amenities are extensive. The building is staffed by a 24-hour door attendant, a live-in super and porters. A fitness center is located at 4525 Henry Hudson Parkway and charges $225 per apartment per year for use. The complex’s community room, which also functions as a children’s playroom, can be rented out for events. There is a bike room and storage of varying sizes for a range of fees. Both buildings offer laundry facilities. Outdoor parking, which has a waitlist, is $100/month, and indoor parking, which carries a $38 monthly fee, typically transfers with the sale of a unit. Outdoor facilities across 6 acres of landscaped grounds include a private, recently renovated fire truck-themed playground, a full-size basketball court and a dog park. Maintenance includes all utilities. Kochanov describes the co-op as “financially healthy,” and says that extensive renovations, including upgrades to the roofs, exteriors, hallways and elevators have been completed in the last 10 years. Residents can stay informed via multiple outlets, including the co-op newsletter, a website and BuildingLink. Kochanov also notes that the co-op is unusual because it does not charge a flip tax.
Riverdale near parks, shopping and schools
Briar Oaks’ location is convenient to parks, cultural institutions and several schools. “This side of Riverdale is very residential, but you are walking distance to all the shops,” says Kochanov. Grocery shopping can be done at a Key Food Supermarket on 235th Street, which can be reached in less than five minutes by car. The commercial strip also includes businesses such as pharmacies, restaurants and salons. Van Cortlandt Park, New York City’s third-largest green space, is a five-minute drive east. Facilities in the park include the country’s first golf course, the borough’s largest freshwater lake, Riverdale Stables and a nature center. Seton Park and Riverdale Park are nearby to the west. Wave Hill, the Riverdale Yacht Club on the Hudson River, Horace Mann School and the Ethical Culture Fieldston School can all be reached in about five minutes by car. Additional schools in the area include Manhattan University and University of Mount Saint Vincent.
Metro-North, express buses and major roadways to the west
The Riverdale Metro-North Railroad station is less than 10 minutes by car from the co-op, and a weekday Metro-North Hudson Rail Link shuttle to the train stops near the building. Travel time to Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal is 25 minutes. Express buses to Manhattan stop outside the complex, and travel time to Midtown is about an hour. The 1 train at Van Cortlandt Park-242nd Street is about 10 minutes away by car, and Midtown can be reached in around an hour. Drive time to Midtown is about 30 minutes via the Henry Hudson Parkway and the West Side Highway. Major roadways nearby include Route 9, Saw Mill River Parkway and Interstate 87. LaGuardia Airport can be reached in about 20 minutes.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
2/ 10
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
34/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
80/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
76/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Riverdale Park
11 min walk
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Brust Park
11 min walk
Trails
Playground
Walking Paths
Vinmont Veteran Park
14 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Playground
Spuyten Duyvil Playground
14 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Spuyten Duyvil Playground
15 min walk
Trails
Playground
Seton Park
2 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Dog Park
Football
Ewen Park
2 min drive
Basketball
Dog Park
Trails
Marble Hill Playground
2 min drive
Basketball
Playground
Henry Hudson Park
2 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Dog Park
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Disclaimer: Please note that this building may not be in these schools' attendance zones.
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