Real Estate Update July 2008 – Private Clubs in Rye

Single Family Homes (period ending 7/1/08)

On the Market: 119

In Contract:  24

Sixty nine homes have sold in the past six months in Rye City, compared to eighty six during the same time period last year. The average sales price of homes sold stayed relatively flat at $1,823,594 compared to the same time period last year (average sales price $1,828,419), perhaps indicating a reversal of the recent trend of rising home prices in Rye in spite of decreased sales. Nineteen or 27.5% of these sales were under $1,000,000 for an average sales price of $804,407, and fifty or 72.5% of the sales were over $1,000,000 with an average sales price of $2,210,870. Even with inventory up, homes on the market as long as 120+ days have been still selling for approximately 93% of their (last) list price, the same ratio as 2007.

*Information per WPMLS zip 10580, RCSD & RNSD only, 6 month period 1/1/08-7/1/08 compared to same time period the previous year.

Private Clubs in Rye

(PHOTO: Manursing Island Club, Rye) One of the great things about living in Rye during the summer is the easy access to the beach and pool facilities in town. All Rye City residents have the opportunity to belong to Rye Golf Club and Pool with access to an olympic size swimming pool, kiddie pool, dining facilities and an 18 hole golf course overlooking Long Island Sound. The club hosts a competitve children’s swim team program and family social events during the season. To learn more, visit www.ryegolfclub.com.

In addition, Rye is home to several private clubs:

• If boating is your thing, you may want to look into American Yacht Club, started by Robber Baron Jay Gould in New York City. American Yacht moved to its current location at the end of Milton Point in 1887. Members enjoy picnicking outdoors overlooking one of the most beautiful views of the water all of Rye (in my opinion), as well as participating in boat races and social events, sailing clinics, and more.
• Coveleigh Club began in 1933 when Townsend Wainwright, the owner of the property, called it "Coveleigh"- "cove" meaning small bay and "lea" refers to a pasture, according to the club website. A beautiful historic brick building is the centerpiece of the club, and the setting for year round dining and social activities. Over the years the club has added a large pool, har-tru tennis and plaform tennis courts, and grounds for lawn bowling.  Summer activities include a lobster fest, and a welcoming party for new members.
• A few years ago, I joined Manursing Island Club, located at the end of Manursing Island (called Manussing Island by the Mohegans), attracted by its casual beach atmosphere and its unique kiddie/adult pool combination, important to me at the time so that I could watch all my three young children swim in the same place! (PHOTO: July 4th at Manursing) Historically, Manursing was a charter member of the American Platform Tennis Association (APTA) formed in 1934, and past members include aviator Amelia Earhart. The staff is excellent. Members enjoy annual clambakes, movie nights, poolside dining, kayaking and a variety of other beach and tennis activities.
• Shenorock Shore Club was built around 1924 and originally named Milton Point Casino, according to its website. Located at the end of Milton Point near American Yacht and Coveleigh, Shenorock has had a history of having many "non-Rye" members from landlocked lower Westchester towns such as Scarsdale and Bronxville. This month’s activities include a parent child "camp out night" on the beach, bingo and movie nights, and dining in their newly renovated Bouwerie Bar & Grill or picnicking outdoors. Shenorock has an affiliation with the historic St. Andrews Golf Club for their members.
• Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the best of both worlds at Westchester Country Club with golf facilities featuring two 18 hole courses and a polo field spread out over several acres in Harrison among distinguished homes, and a large beach and pool facility on Manursing Island. This grand scale club was the vision of John McEntee Bowman, President of Commodore and Biltmore hotels in New York City who opened the "Westchester Biltmore Country Club" in 1922. This year round golf facility features an indoor pool, barber shop, and apartments for members in addition to dining, and beach club has several pools, tennis and paddle courts, and dining facilities.  Summer activities include the annual "Little Big Show", a popular children’s revue to be held this year at the end of July with an "80’s" theme.
• Apawamis Club is one of the oldest clubs in the area, dating back to 1890, according to their website. It is rumored that George Herbert Bush and Barbara Pierce met as teens at a Christmas dance at the club, where they held their wedding reception in 1945. Apawamis features an 18 hole golf course, pool, tennis, paddle, and squash facilities and is located at 2 Club Road, at the border of Indian Village, the historic Rye neighborhood where Barbara Bush was raised.

Nearly all of the private clubs host a variety of day camp and swim team programs for children, tennis and paddle tennis instruction and competition, and social activites thoroughout the year.

*Sources, The History of Rye Clubs by Paul Hicks, club websites, and conversations with friends.

July Market Update and Article written by Judy Croughan, Licensed Realtor, Coldwell Banker, Rye.