NJ Palisades Estate 75 Bluff Road, Fort Lee, NJ

Auction Details

  • Important Update:
    Guernsey’s is pleased to announce that an enthusiastic buyer for 75 Bluff Road has been found and accordingly, the auction is NOT being conducted

  • Auction:
    June 8, 2PM

  • Location:
    75 Bluff Road
    Fort Lee, NJ 07024

  • Viewing:
    June 4 - 7, 12 - 7PM
    June 8, 10 - 2PM or
    By appointment only

  • Online Bidding:
    www.liveauctioneers.com

  • Absentee Bidding:
    By e-mail, mail and telephone

Featured Item


The Auction

Guernsey’s, long-known for producing innovative, eye-opening auctions, will be entering the world of prestigious Real Estate when it sells at auction one of New Jersey’s most prestigious properties.


In the late 1940’s, mob kingpin Albert Anastasia, Jr. selected a spectacular 1.3-acre site on the Palisades cliffs with sweeping Manhattan views on which to build his Italianate-styled mansion. With money being no object, his resulting home, situated at the end of a long, gated drive and amidst a park-like setting was nothing short of magnificent. Designated 75 Bluff Road, it was no wonder that the estate’s many spacious rooms, complete privacy, and proximity to New York City directly across the Hudson made it the ideal setting for many gangland gatherings.


On October 25, 1957, Mr. Anastasia’s ownership of the property, and indeed his life, came to a sudden end when he was assassinated while in the barber’s chair at NYC’s Park Sheraton Hotel. The ensuing years saw the property change hands twice to owners celebrated for their positive accomplishments that were in stark contrast to the efforts of the now late Mr. Anastasia. First Del Webb, part-owner of the NY Yankees, and then popular comedian Buddy Hackett found themselves the owners of this grand mid-twentieth century estate.


Forty years ago, the property was sold to its present owner, Arthur Imperatore. Highly regarded for his efforts to improve the New Jersey shoreline, Mr. Imperatore’s endeavor’s include the creation and current ownership of what has come to be considered a critical link between NYC and points West... the NY Waterway ferry system. Consulted by world leaders and a pioneer in many fund-raising activities including research into cancer cures, Mr. Imperatore is parting with the home following the recent passing of his wife.


Guernsey's is being assisted in the presentation of this stunning estate by Joshua Baris, agent for the luxury New Jersey real estate firm, Prominent Properties. Those wishing to inspect this important residence and learn further details prior to the auction please contact Guernsey’s directly at 212-794-2280.

Information for Intending Bidders

PROPERTY FEATURES

  • Stunning, architecturally-unique home built c. 1947
  • Former owners: Albert Anastasia, Del Webb, Buddy Hackett; current owner: Arthur Imperatore
  • Beautifully landscaped 1.3-acre park-like grounds at the edge of the Palisades cliffs
  • 180-degree views of Hudson River & Manhattan skyline from the George Washington Bridge to lower Manhattan’s Freedom Tower
  • One of the most desireable addresses in the Metropolitan area
  • Minutes from the George Washington Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel, and Manhattan

  • PROPERTY: Approx. 51,000 square feet


    VIEWS: Approx. 200 feet of unobstructed Hudson River / Manhattan skyline views


    HOME: 8,551 square feet


    TAXES: Approx. $82,000


    ZONING
    The property is located on two adjacent lots, both with river views. It is located in the R-2 (one-family) residential zone, which has a minimum lot size of 7,500 square feet. The large square footage of the property creates for the buyer a number of possibilities, including:


  • Expand the footprint of the current house with a large addition, especially to the south and overlooking the river, as of right;
  • Expand the current footprint of the current house and/or build another house with river views on the adjacent southern lot, as of right;
  • Keep the existing house, subdivide the southern lot into two or three conforming building lots, one with river view, without variances;
  • Raze the existing house, subdivide the exiting property into four conforming building lots, two with river views, without variances;
  • Raze the existing house, subdivide the property into five building lots, two with river view, with variances.

  • In other words, 75 Bluff Road exists as two lots. One lot contains the home, garage, outbuildings and pool. The other lot has beautiful landscaping but is otherwise unbuilt upon. In accordance with existing ordinances, one could - if so inclined - extend the main house into the adjoing lot, or build a second home on the southern lot with a river view, or build a second home plus a third home on the second lot with one home positioned to have a river view and the other home to be positioned nearer to Bluff Road.


    Ten different possible Concept Plans are available depicting various ways the property can be built upon and/or sub-divided. Naturally, unless these drawings indicate “as of right” (such as those referred to above), any sub-division would be subject to local approval. To receive these Concept Plans, please contact Guernsey’s.


    COMPARABLE
    In the fall of 2015, the neighboring property to 75 Bluff Road was placed on the market. That property is similar in size to Bluff and contains a large contemporary home built within the last decade. That home has the same view of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline as has 75 Bluff Road. Also on that property is a second, older home close to the road. When the neighboring property came on the market, it was priced at $18.9 million. Several months later, the listing of this neighboring property changed. The contemporary house with the view was separated from the rest of the property and offered for sale on .4 of an acre, approximatly one third of the size of 75 Bluff Road. The reduced offering listed the property at $13.5 million. A few months after the listing change, the property was removed from the market.


    THE HOME
    GROUND FLOOR


  • Outer entrance
  • Central Entry Hall
  • Living Room
  • Sun Room (abutting the Living Room making a single continuous space measuring 43’ x 19’)
  • Extensive glass-enclosed Sun Porch with full River and Manhattan skyline views
  • Dining Room
  • Wood-paneled Library
  • Breakfast Room
  • Kitchen
  • Butler’s Pantry
  • Powder Room
  • Den
  • Bedroom as part of an apartment with separate outer entrance
  • Full bath, half-bath
  • Many large closets and built-ins

  • SECOND FLOOR


  • Sweeping staircase
  • Central landing
  • Small Den (or additional bedroom)
  • Master Bedroom Suite incl. his/her dressing rooms, sitting room, many large closets, built-ins, sizable bath
  • Wood-paneled Den
  • Four additional Bedrooms, one with separate exterior staircase
  • Enclosed Terrace
  • Four full, extensively-tiled Baths
  • Full height, large Attic

  • WOOD-PANELED FULL BASEMENT


  • Main entertaining space with Bar and Movie Theater, Projection Room
  • Recreation Room (Billiards, Ping Pong)
  • Central area
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry Room
  • Spa with Sauna and Hot Tub
  • Storage Room
  • Work Shop
  • Utilities Room
  • Bathroom with add’l Beauty Parlor sink

  • GROUNDS


  • Beautiful, mature landscaping
  • Substantial estate entry gates leading to lengthy drive and home
  • Large Patio with expansive Hudson River & Manhattan skyline views
  • In-ground Swimming Pool
  • Cabana / changing room
  • Pool house
  • 2+ car Garage
  • Separate additional Kitchen with outdoor entrance
  • Outdoor Shower


  • For additional information visit www.guernseys.com or contact Guernsey’s at 212-794-2280.
    For media inquiries or to request an interview, please contact Dara Busch at 212-584-4271 or Guernseys@5wpr.com

    Links

    Interested bidders should also review the Bidder Registration & Auction Terms & Conditions.


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