August 3, 2017
Built in 1927 by David T. Abercrombie, Elda Castle, as it was known, was named after the first letter of each of his four children's names (h/t Curbed). Abercrombie was the founder of Abercrombie and Fitch, which was originally a purveyor of high-end hunting and safari gear. The vision of his wife, Lucy Abbott Cate—the project's architect—was the driving force behind the 4,337-square-foot steel-girded estate of granite and local fieldstone at 249 Croton Dam Road that once had 25 rooms, arched doorways, a tower accessed by a winding spiral staircase of cast iron and too many courtyards and patios to count. The fascinating home sits on 49.5 acres in the Westchester County town of New Castle (though it has an Ossining postal address). It's in need of total renovation, and if the internet is to be believed, whoever buys this romantically overgrown estate currently asking $3.69 million may have quite an adventure on their hands.
Find out more about this storied estate