The long and short of it
By L.J. BUTTERFIELD :: October 30, 2006

Some people relocate to Westchester and Fairfield counties for their proximity to New York City, some for the natural beauty of the Northeast and some for corporate assignments.

Whatever the reason, whether long term or short term, these adjacent counties, long used to catering to the financially successful, have a range of properties to offer prospective residents.

Whether it’s a $6 million new construction project in Greenwich or an extended-stay, luxury furnished apartment in White Plains, there are options when relocating.

For those looking to plant roots in the community, a custom-built dream home may be an attractive option.

York & Company Building and Development, builders of custom home additions, renovations and new property developments, based in Old Greenwich, has won the prestigious HOBI Award for the second year in a row from the Home Builders Association of Connecticut Inc.

Nick Barile, a principal partner at York & Co. says the new development portion represents the bulk of his business, making up 75 percent of the year’s revenues.

This year’s award was for best home in the $5 million to $6 million range and is a perfect example of what could be had in this price range. Barile and his partner Brian Connors snagged the prize with their 8,500-square-foot Lutyens-style Tudor speculation home on MacKenzie Glen in Greenwich.

This six-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bath, shingle-style home is located on 1.22 acres. The beautiful craftsmanship of the home is what makes York & Co. stand out. Buyers can have a brand new home with all the charm and detail of a classic –– and have it fast.

“The spec house, from putting the shovel in the ground, took under nine months to complete,” said Barile.

An important aspect of York & Co.’s business is York Millwork, where they can craft the interior woodwork and details themselves.

“We make our own moldings and doors in our mill shop facility,” he said. “We are able to custom make them to our liking and we’re able to expedite the process and control the quality. We make our kitchens as well –– cabinetry, islands and pantries. Where a kitchen could take 18 weeks if we were simply ordering the mill work, we can turn it around in eight to 12 weeks.”

Elaborate wainscoting, built-ins and doors show careful attention to detail throughout the house. Curved eaves, a grand staircase, five fireplaces and a wine cellar also lend character.

“The best compliment someone can pay me is if they say the house feels like it’s been there a hundred years,” said Barile. “That there is a feel of substance to the house.”

The opportunity to design the perfect home from scratch is not as complicated a process as it seems.

“We can be a one-stop shop where we can assemble a team of architects, real estate agents and construct the house of your dreams,” said Barile.

SHORT-TERM LUXURY LIVING

For those moving into the area temporarily, whether for business or not, luxury, temporary residences are a great option.

At the 123-unit Korman Communities in White Plains, Jeanne Ann Heiser, corporate sales director, said there are perks to short-term housing.

“Typically, temporary housing is a benefit that companies will give their employees,” said Heiser. “It allows them a luxurious place to hang their hat. To feel like they’re coming home at the end of the day without the hassle of actually moving.”

The average stay at Korman is typically 60 days but they have hosted clients for as long as a couple of years and as little as a day.

“Though the bulk of our business (60 percent) is definitely corporate training programs and temporary assignments, there are many other situations that require this kind of (accommodation),” she said. “We have a lot of people in professional sports like basketball players or the (New York) Rangers. We also deal with a lot of real estate companies that are working with people who are in between homes. Then we have high-level executives whose job necessitates that they be here, but they don’t want to live here, so they stay through the week and then go home.”

“We had all the animators from Blue Sky’s Ice Age and we also have a lot of young execs from IBM,” added Julianne M. Juergens, general manager.

The idea is to provide successful people a temporary living arrangement with little complication and without altering the quality of lifestyle.

“The great thing about this property is that it used to be an apartment building. Hotels have cookie-cutter rooms. This used to be real apartments so it feels more permanent,” said Juergens.

The apartments are designed in trendy browns and muted tones. They are stocked with Aveda products in the bath and Voss bottled water in the refrigerator. The view from the rooms is of the slick corporate offices that surround Korman. With a five-minute walk to the train station, a 24-hour business center and a full-sized fitness center, Korman is a busy executive’s dream.