The real estate division of Montclair, NJ, is defined by its majestic mansions, tree-lined streets and elegant relaxed attitude.
Ann K said McCarthy, Prominent Properties Salesperson, Sotheby’s International Realty: “It’s so friendly and relaxing.” “The uniform is jeans and sneakers, and these days yoga pants and sweats.”
The scenic neighborhood, she added, is an example of Montclair, “a big town that feels like a small town, a suburb that feels like a city and a home base that feels like a vacation.”
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border
The estate division, one and a half miles long and a mile wide, is bounded on the west by Harrison Street, on the east by Undercliffe Road/Lloyd Road, on the north by Stonebridge Road, and on the south by Hoburg Place and Myrtle Avenues.
price range
Neighborhood homes start at $999,000 and generally go up to $2 million, according to Ms. McCarthy.
She noted that the home most recently listed at $999,000 had 23 bids, the highest of which exceeded $1.3 million; The final price has not been recorded because the sale has not yet closed.
But, she said, the pandemic “has brought urbanites to Montclair in droves. The bidding wars have left many in tears, including clients.”
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She said real estate that had her bathrooms and kitchens updated over the past four years could add $250,000 to the price.
She said that large properties, homes with exquisite craftsmanship and swimming pools are sold at great prices.
The highest price paid for a home in the real estate division, $3.875 million, was recorded in March 2016 and remains a record for not only the neighborhood but also the village, said Kristen Lin, captain of The Lane Team in Compass NJ. “High-end properties in the real estate division like this are only introduced to the market once every five years,” she said.
dwellings
The estate division’s grand residences were built for industry leaders in the early 20th century and are in a variety of traditional architectural styles: there are Tudors, English country manors, Victorians, including Queen Annes, and Colonial Central Hall.
“There is a modern house on South Mountain Avenue that was built in 2015,” said Ms. McCarthy. “But that is the only one. Most people these days are keeping the outside but holding the inside, putting in new kitchens and bathrooms and removing walls to create open floor plans.”
She noted that the plots, which average just under an acre, are larger than those in the rest of the city, and many homes have swimming pools, tennis courts, or both.
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Ms. Lin added that the neighborhood includes several historic homes.
What makes it unique
The real estate division’s location – just 15 miles from New York City – is one of its most coveted assets.
As are the opinions. “Part of the property division is in First Mountain, where the glacier has receded,” McCarthy said. “For those properties, there are great views of New York City – people love to keep an eye on their city even when they’re far from it. And in the spring, the sunrises behind the horizon are amazing. The architecture really sets it apart from the rest of Montclair and Upper Montclair.”
She said the architecture alone attracts her share of fans. “During Covid, I have noticed that people are driving from other parts of the city, and even from other cities, just to park and walk around and enjoy the beautiful homes,” she said.
The real estate division offers, according to Ms. Lin, “the grandeur of big homes” and a “charming, low-key lifestyle. The homes are away from the tree-lined streets. You’ll see children riding bicycles, people walking dogs, and nannies pushing strollers.”
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Luxurious amenities
The real estate division, which is purely residential, is located close to all the amenities that downtown Montclair has to offer.
The neighborhood is a picturesque half-mile walk from the shops, cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs that make the city a cultural hub.
Ms McCarthy said the newest gathering place is the MC Hotel, which features a rooftop bar “with amazing 360 views, including New York City.”
She added that her restaurant Allegory, which offers a multi-course communal menu, is the creation of Chef Amber Lancaster, featured on the current season of Fox TV’s “Hell’s Kitchen.”
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Ms. Lin said Fashino is another notable dining venue. On the NJ Monthly’s list of the 30 best restaurants, it’s run by Chef Ryan Dipersio, who calls his creations “Italian Without Borders.”
Other popular restaurants include the modern French brasserie Faubourg; La Rocca Osteria, specializing in Italian dishes; Zeugma Grill, which features a Mediterranean menu; and Raymond’s, which has been serving home made meals including waffles, burgers and fried chicken since 1989.
A number of small businesses in and around downtown are frequented by locals, including Java Love Coffee Roasting Co. Women’s clothing store Oasis; Amanti Vino wine shop; Bath and body products from Dolly Moo Store; The Green Room, a one-stop wellness store offeringhemp, including CBD; Women’s clothing/jewelry/gift shop Dobbs LTD; and home décor boutique White Rabbit, Black Heart.
The city also houses a number of international brand stores, including Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Lululemon.
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Residents of the estate division, which abuts a 403-acre woodland preserve and Eagle Rock Reservation Park, have access to a variety of outdoor activities in town—there are sports fields, playgrounds, manicured gardens, miles of hiking trails, parks, and ski hills.
Culture is also at hand. The Montclair Museum of Art, which displays American and Native American art, is located in the estate department. The Montclair History Center, located in the real estate department, offers a variety of programs for children and adults.
There are other cultural facilities within the city, including the annual Montclair Jazz Festival, the Garden State’s largest festival; which takes place in August. The Montclair Film Festival, which takes place in April, hosts events throughout the year.
Montclair State University, adjacent to the neighborhood, features the Yogi Berra Baseball Museum, an institution that honors the residents of Montclair; It is about six miles from the real estate section.
The Van Vleck House & Gardens, originally a 12-acre private estate built in 1868, is a public park less than a mile from the estate section.
Ms McCarthy noted that while Magnet public schools are a national model, residents who prefer private schools send their children to them.Montclair Kimberley Academy, a co-educational institution for students in pre-kindergarten through high school. It consists of three campuses – the high school is located in the real estate department. Elementary and middle schools are found in other parts of Montclair.
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who lives there
The real estate division attracts a diverse group of residents of all ages. “There are families, lawyers, tech wizards, Wall Streeters,” McCarthy said. “They come from all over the world.”
“It is, like the rest of Montclair, diverse and welcoming to everyone,” Ms Lynn said, adding that many residents of the real estate division are business owners.
Notable population
Currently, Montclair’s most famous celebrity is Stephen Colbert, who gave a major public production shoot for his “Late Show” from his home during the early part of the pandemic. Other famous Montclair residents include cosmetic artist Bobby Brown, Audible founder Don Katz, and actor Patrick Wilson and J Johnson, who served as President Barack Obama’s second-term Secretary of Homeland Security.
prospects
Noting that Montclair had historically been a city that did not have enough stock to meet demand, Ms. McCarthy said that “the market is currently insane. The over-$1 million market used to sit around, and now it’s almost as fast as the sub-million-dollar market.”
She added that prices have risen about 20% in the past year and that properties are usually on the market for 11 days or less before being snapped up.
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Ms Lin said that as of late March, there were only six properties on the market in the real estate division. “This is lower than usual, due to high demand,” she said. “A lot of people sold in the last year because the prices were so good.”
McCarthy said the current increase is driven by the pandemic. “People want to leave the city because their livelihood in New York City is no longer available or necessary,” she said. “Working from home requires space and space to zoom in, and this, combined with low interest rates, has added pressure to tight inventory.”
Ms. Lynn added that the real estate division would remain strong because it “has a mass appeal as people search for green space. She and Montclair in general are a melting pot of interests and people”.
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