WOOLWORTH
title HERE
Take a tour of four iconic NYC structures that went from derelict to dazzling.
By MATTHEW PHENIX
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Lacinia at quis risus sed vulputate odio ut.
Dis parturient montes nascetur ridiculus mus mauris.
You’ve been feeling it for a while. You want to get out of the city — but not too far out of the city — and set up a life that’s part bucolic and part bohemian. You want to be right in the middle of cute cafés and hip art galleries, great specialty foods and local breweries, but maybe not in the middle of a giant metropolis. In short, you want city living on your own terms. Let us introduce you to the most incredible property in Binghamton, New York.
The home at 103 Court Street is literally one-of-a-kind, as the only single-family dwelling in Downtown Binghamton. It was built in 1867 as a fraternal clubhouse, and the fun hasn’t stopped. It’s been a theater, a bridal salon, a beauty salon, and a dozen other businesses, but its structure (and ownership) has remained intact, as if waiting for something spectacular to happen. It did.
Twenty years ago, the current owners happened upon this gorgeous edifice, marveling at its central location and its towering 12-foot ceilings. They fully embraced the opportunity of the architecture and put their lofty ambitions on display, opening up the building’s 6,600 square feet into the ideal modern manse. While they worked to preserve much of the 150-year-old building’s character — including exposed brick, a tin ceiling, original glass, and spruce hardwood flooring, as well as smaller details such as bannisters, posts, and hardware — they also sought to create an ideal space for living and entertaining.
The result is four floors of open-plan living, with a main floor (one floor up from the street) so perfectly designed for entertaining that it's a frequent spot for dinner and cocktail parties, often in the service of local nonprofit and arts organizations. There’s a gourmet kitchen, of course, with a 14-foot marble center island big enough to serve ten diners seated, and infinitely more for a buffet. There’s a seating nook for family socializing (for families of up to a dozen), as well as a spacious dining area. In the front of the building, the floors have been removed to reveal a soaring 40-foot atrium criss-crossed by catwalk-like beams, giving the two floors above a balcony-like feel — though one that is conveniently climate-controlled. For more outdoor pursuits, the main floor opens to a broad covered porch at the rear of the building, hanging into a canopy of mature trees. The third story is taken up by a master suite with an oversized walk-in closet and dressing room, and a spa-worthy bath suite. The top floor offers additional bedroom and office space, and views of stately Downtown Binghamton or the party going on two floors below.
On the street level, even more potential lies. The first floor — now neighbored by cafés and florists and boutiques — had been a commercial space prior to the renovation, but now is an oversized garage which can hold eight cars or any variety of workspaces. In bustling Downtown Binghamton, this could be the perfect opportunity to live above whatever retail fantasy you’ve been harboring in your current big-city life.
Sarah Adler
Licensed RE Salesperson
VIEW LISTINGS
CURB APPEAL A singular home in Downtown Binghamton, 103 Court Street boasts 6,600 square feet of space on four soaring floors.
Ready for more?
OVATION-WORTHY The townhouse boasts four bright bedrooms, a chef-ready kitchen, and ample entertaining space, including a private rooftop deck.
it’s easy to see
how one of show business’s premier power couples would find a haven here.
Big Dreams in
a Small Town
BY INHABIT EDITORS
Which is not to say that Binghamton is a backwater. It is, of course, home to Binghamton University, a SUNY school that’s considered one of the Public Ivies. The constant influx of students (undergraduate, graduate, and medical) has created a vibrant nightlife culture and plenty of cheap eats — and also a solid community of professors and academics who contribute to the town’s intellectual life. The natural world is steps away from your front door, with mountains, parks, hiking trials, and stunning views of the two rivers that have carved the valley. Binghamton is a proudly diverse town, with its own philharmonic and opera, cultural and arts festivals, and the unofficial title of the “Carousel Capital of the World.”
If you’re looking to go big in a city that’s a little bit smaller, this amazing property — and the quaint town that surrounds it — are worth giving a whirl. You could do worse than trading the rat race for a carousel.
A jewel in downtown Binghamton, New York, magnificent 103 Court Street is huge, hip, and brimming with history.