A dazzling Gilded Age dwelling built for a judge is on the market for $1.85 million in the Catskills — and it comes with handsome old-world details that are still intact.
There’s also no need for an intercom, as the home still boasts working Victorian-era speaking tubes that connect the kitchen to the third floor.
The Victorian-style home was constructed in 1887 and overlooks the Hudson River, with the Catskill Mountains in the background.
The stately residence, at 25 Prospect Ave. in the town of Catskill’s East Side Historic District, was built for New York Supreme Court Justice Emory Chase, who was on the court from 1896 to 1920.
It has only been owned by a handful of families ever since.
In the 1980s, it was owned by Roger Van Winkle, president of Columbia-Greene County Community College, who hosted dignitaries including President Gerald Ford and Apollo 13 Commander James Lovell — portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 1995 film, “Apollo 13.”
The sellers are Justin Lance and Vasuki Wilson, co-founders of Rise Public Strategies, a public affairs and media relations company whose clients include policymakers, nonprofit leaders and corporations.
The Wilsons bought the home in 2020 for $675,000.
During the renovations, they moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and decided to sell. “When we bought the home, nearly every wall, ceiling and floor was badly in need of restoration. We restored everything and paid close attention to the original details including the amazing wedding veil plaster ceiling, the plaster coves at the top of the walls,” Justin Lance said.
The well-appointed residence features nine bedrooms, 3½ baths and five fireplaces. It’s fully renovated and sits on 3.7 acres.
Original and restored design details include hand-carved woodwork and banisters that rise up three floors through a center hallway — as well as plaster crown moldings, wide-plank wood floors, pocket doors and high ceilings.
The home also boasts an original wall of built-in bookcases in the library/home office. Additionally, there’s a double-wide parlor where the original owner held a wedding reception for his daughter, according to the New York Times. The listing’s design magazine-worthy images also show arched doors, stunning ceiling medallions and wide-open layouts that allow sunlight to flood in.
In addition, there’s a new, light-filled chef’s kitchen with massive windows, plus a fireplace.
The kitchen opens to a large backyard and deck for entertaining.
Classic details also include a covered wrap porch in the front, as well as a second-floor balcony.
The fenced-in yard could also hold a pool and a garden. In addition, the property includes a two-story carriage house and a separate service entrance.
The home’s sale also includes a portrait of the original owner and some other “historic memorabilia that should be passed on to the next owners,” Justin Lance said.
The listing broker is Martin J. Salerno of the Kinderhook Group.
