The Abercrombie Castle has lingered on the market since 2017, yet despite its undeniable charm, potential buyers seem hesitant to overlook its dilapidated state and uninhabitable rooms. The pressing question remains: how much longer will this once-vibrant residence remain abandoned? Currently listed at $3.1 million, the property boasts four bedrooms, four full baths, and sprawls across 49.6 acres of land.
To truly comprehend why this distinctive property stands empty, one must delve into the captivating tale of David Abercrombie and how his castle found its way to Westchester County.
In 1892, David Abercrombie launched a high-end store specializing in rugged wear and outdoor gear near Wall Street. His clientele comprised adventurous spirits such as Robert Peary and even President Theodore Roosevelt, a testament to the superior quality of his merchandise.
In 1904, David Abercrombie’s partnership with affluent lawyer Ezra Fitch dissolved. Abercrombie aimed to cater exclusively to wealthy clientele, while Fitch sought broader market appeal. Ultimately, in 1907, Abercrombie sold his stake to Fitch, who retained the company’s original name.
Remaining steadfast to his vision, Abercrombie achieved success and even served in the Army during World War I, contributing to the outfitting of troops stationed overseas. After the war, he partially retired and fulfilled his lifelong aspiration of constructing a magnificent residence: an opulent medieval Scottish-style castle boasting 25 rooms adorned with arched windows. The highlight of the castle was a captivating spiral iron staircase leading up to a turret, offering breathtaking views of the city and river.
Perched atop a rugged outcrop atop a ridge in the Town of New Castle, the castle enjoys a strategic location conducive to zoning and land use considerations, with services provided by the Town of Ossining.
According to local historian Miguel Hernandez, Abercrombie completed construction of the house in 1927, christening it Elda. This name was derived from the initials of his four children, adding a personal touch to the majestic abode.
Even among the affluent landscape of Westchester, Abercrombie’s estate stood as a beacon of distinction during its prime. Upon their initial move, the family reveled in the vast expanse of a 300-acre property, complete with scenic horse trails, a spring-fed pool, and a tranquil fishing pond.
However, following Abercrombie’s passing in 1937, his family sold the estate to a company specializing in paint research. Regrettably, it fell into neglect and remained abandoned throughout the 1950s, during which vandals sparked several fires, as documented by Hernandez.
In 1964, James Harrick, founder of the Harrick Scientific Company, acquired the property for a mere $15,000 and resided there until the 1980s. Later, in 2001, another couple purchased it for $1.5 million with aspirations of transforming it into a retreat and conference center. Unfortunately, their endeavor met with little success, as recounted by Hernandez.
In 2011, Morgan Immovable Property Corp., the current proprietors, injected a considerable sum of $3.75 million into the estate, which has been on the market since 2017.
According to listing agent Christina DiMinno, outreach to Hernandez sparked interest from the family scattered across Idaho, Florida, and beyond. Despite their fervent desire to rejuvenate the property, financial constraints impede their endeavors. “They’d love to restore it, but they don’t have the money,” Christina explains.
A sign, bearing messages in both Spanish and English, adorns an open gate at the rear of the property, declaring: “This Property is Under 24 Hour Video Surveillance.” However, if the claim were true, the footage captured would likely depict a distressing cycle of deterioration and disorder.
The condition of the property is dire, with shattered windows and severe damage plaguing the 4,337-square-foot interior. Vandals, some with artistic inclinations, have defaced the exterior walls with sprawling graffiti murals.
However, amidst the desolation, the property retains its expansive footprint, spanning nearly 50 acres. Notably, the resilient core structure of the mansion persists, fortified by a steel framework enveloped in fieldstone and granite sourced from the surrounding terrain.
Currently, the deteriorating grand mansion stands as the focal point of the estate, awaiting a compassionate individual willing to bestow upon it the care and attention it so rightfully deserves.
