Hayden on Hudson

Known for its highly desirable Bronx location fronting the Hudson River, Hayden on Hudson was designed by architectural practice Wechsler & Schimenti for developer Henry Kibel. The handsome, curved building and its flanking semi-attached townhouses were completed in 1960 as a rental development and then converted into a condominium complex in 1977. The property features roomy residences with views to remember and a luxurious suite of amenities on an 8.5-acre cul-de-sac overlooking Riverdale’s Palisade Drive. The 1988 AIA Guide to New York City (New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, 1988) describes the main building as a “fan-shaped apartment building of brown brick between concrete piers.” Authors Elliot Willensky and Nonal White added, “The western elevation has large expanses of plate glass and balconies with metal railings from which the residents enjoy a spectacular view north and south along the Hudson River.” Meanwhile, “low-rise maisonettes flank the main building on the north and south.” Be it a townhouse or an apartment, the views are unobstructed, and they are also private. Because of its position, no other real estate stands between residents and the river. Hayden on Hudon consists of 178 units across one 15-story apartment building and 19 maisonettes. The central tower has two addresses — 4455 Douglas Avenue and 4465 Douglas Avenue — under one combined facade with one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom residences. The building features sweeping curved balconies that overlook the Hudson River; all flats except for one-bedrooms (junior fours excluded) face west and are outfitted with considerable private wrap-around terraces. One-bedrooms come in two configurations: a traditional one-bedroom averages 770 square feet with a layout centralized around a massive living area; and junior four floorplans, averaging 1,046 square feet, come with an extra alcove space and a 42-foot-long balcony. #4H, a one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom, was listed in October 2024 for $675,000. Two-bedrooms also have two formats: standard two-bedrooms two-bathrooms, ranging from 1,337 to 1,351 square feet, feature a split layout and a 56-foot-long terrace; and floor-through units — averaging 1,682 square feet — extend from front to back of the building and have a private bathroom for each bedroom plus extra powder room, a formal dining room, a large living room with a functional wood-burning fireplace and an average-sized private terrace (smaller than most homes in the building, but on par compared to new construction condos). All three- and four bedrooms come outfitted with a salon-like foyer, a large living room with a wood-burning fireplace, a formal dining room, a sizable eat-in kitchen and ample deep closets; the latest sales include a three-bedroom that fetched $880,000 in June 2024 and a four-bedroom that netted $ 1.7 million in April 2022. Two buildings, one north and one south of the central tower, comprise 19 townhouse triplexes coalesced into two unified brick-clad edifices punctuated by arched windows. The residences feature three- and four-bedroom layouts averaging 2,900 square feet. Each home has a massive private garden overlooking Riverdale Park or Raoul Wallenberg Forest and one or two deeded parking spaces. TH#16, a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom maisonette with a sunken living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and two deeded parking spaces, sold for $1.75 million in October 2024. The grandest listing, the northernmost townhouse, spans 6,582 square feet and was designed initially as Henry Kibel’s (the building’s developer) personal residence. The house features seven bedrooms, a personal gym, a solarium, two wet bars and a library; it sold last in 1988 for $915,000 (according to the inflation calculator designed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, equivalent to $2.4 million in 2024). Be it townhouse or apartment, “every evening, the sunsets are sensational,” says Eugenia Foxworth, principal broker at Foxworth Realty. “Every home feels spacious, open and sunny,” she adds, having sold multiple units in the building. Hayden on Hudson is a full-service condominium complex with a full-time door attendant, a live-in resident manager in each building and part-time staff who service all buildings. With 8.5 acres of private landscaped grounds, this Riverdale development is known for its recreational amenities, which include tennis courts and a massive seasonal outdoor pool with a picturesque panorama of the Hudson River. Also noteworthy is that the fitness center has up-to-date cardio machines, weight training equipment, and a padded stretching area for yoga, dance, Pilates, and the like. For an additional charge, residents can rent personal storage space. Moreover, there is valet and garage parking. Plus, the development is pet-friendly, and, according to Foxworth, the doorpersons “hand out doggie treats.” Hayden on Hudson is situated in a quiet pocket of Riverdale Park along Palisade Avenue, where the grass is green and the trees are tall. In fact, as one reaches the end of the 8.5-acre cul-de-sac, some areas are so thickly wooded that it looks more like Tarrytown than The Bronx. This is true of Raoul Wallenberg Forest, an arboraceous nature preserve that starts where Douglas Avenue ends. Additionally, the surrounding parks offer many recreational opportunities, including Riverdale’s six tennis courts, the sandlot softball field, basketball courts, multiple playgrounds and various hiking trails. (Not to mention, from specific locations, fantastic views of the Hudson River.) Back inland, the streets move slower than most Bronx neighborhoods. Streets are occupied more by parked cars and school buses than driving traffic, while the sidewalks are lined with school children, dog walkers and the occasional cool dad with a stroller. For groceries, residents can shop at the nearest market, Key Food; there is also a Foodtown, Garden Gourmet, ALDI and CTown closer to Broadway. The main thoroughfare is also home to many fast-food chains, including IHOP, Applebee’s and Chick-fil-A. Local favorites include happy hour at Tin Marin Tapas, playing darts at Irish pub The Punch Bowl and wings and craft beers at Bronx Alehouse. Metro-North and major highways for commuters Riverdale is serene but tucked away. The price for quaint is proximity, and, in this case, it takes an hour plus to get anywhere below Yankee Stadium. Two nearby subway stations are very distantly walkable but more palatable via the express bus: Marble Hill–225 Street provides access to the 1 train and Bedford Park Blvd–Lehman College services the 4 line. The fastest option, by far, is the Hudson line on the Metro-North to Grand Central, which takes approximately 30 minutes, give or take. Alternatively, going here and there is convenient for car owners with I-87, Henry Hudson Parkway and Major Deagan Expressway nearby.