Brownstoner Upstate: Kingston City Beauties

Fridays at 11, Brownstoner Upstate brings you a selection of properties within three hours north, and a little bit east or west, of New York City.

The city of Kingston in Ulster County is finally getting the recognition it deserves these days as a upstate destination. It wasn’t always that way. Most people considered New York’s first capital to be a dive, a place to avoid after dark. (It is a city, after all, albeit a small one, but even upstate cities have their issues, and some areas are going to be rougher than others). However, Kingston is home to some truly drool-worthy old houses: Lots of grand Victorians, Federal-style houses, and Colonials. It’s also got an impressive collection of historic 17th and 18th century stone houses in the uptown area, including several in the Stockade District. There are also other reasons to stop by for a visit, like some excellent local music venues (BSP in uptown and Rondout Music Lounge on the Strand spring to mind), not to mention restaurants and shops. Not convinced? Just hop on the Thruway and come see for yourself. It’s only two hours away. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

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West Chestnut Street just south of midtown Kingston is one of our favorite areas of the city, even though the taxes are extremely high around here. Stately old mansions dot tree-lined streets, many stumbling distance from local watering holes, and the river isn’t far away. We love this brick beauty here, and clearly it’s been loved and restored to its original circa-1878 glory. Beds: 4. Baths: 3.5. Square Feet: 3,426. Lot Size: .5 acre. Taxes: $12,429.

27 West Chestnut Street, Kingston (Coldwell Banker) GMAP

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Another great find on West Chestnut, this Victorian is a stunner inside and out. It even includes an in-ground pool. This looks like the type of place where the men retire to the study for brandy and cigars after an evening’s repast. Includes a butler’s staircase, pocket doors, and tons of stained glass windows. It’s also nearly 5,000 square feet. Beds: 5. Baths: 3.5. Square Feet: 4,863. Lot Size: .20 acre. Taxes: $14,860.

63 West Chestnut Street, Kingston (Westwood Metes & Bounds) GMAP

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Fancy, don’t you agree? Incredible detailing all around, stain glass windows galore, dual staircases, the works. The taxes are also much lower in this part of town. Plus, it’s close to one of our favorite local breweries, Keegan Ales. If you’re curious about the neighborhood, plug the address into Google Streetview and have a look-see without leaving home. Beds: 6. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 2,137. Lot Size: .13 acre. Taxes: $5,105.

76 Saint James Street, Kingston (Catskill Mountain, Inc) GMAP

We couldn’t look at impressive houses in Kingston without including at least one historic stone house on the list. The circa-1700 Van Keuren House was partially burned down by the British in 1777 and has been extensively restored. We know the neighborhood in which it resides well; Green Street is catty-corner to the Ulster County Courthouse (another historic building) and walking distance to Wall Street, which is becoming a fairly happening street in uptown Kingston. Beds: 4. Baths: 3.5. Square Feet: 4,055. Lot Size: .22 acre. Taxes: $10,910.

138 Green Street, Kingston (Lawrence O’Toole) GMAP

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