The 1920s brought a construction boom to the suburbs of New York, and Pelham, located just outside the city in Westchester County, was no exception. Train routes and the emergence of the automobile turned towns into bedroom communities for New Yorkers, with bankers, industrialists and others moving to spacious new homes with all the prevailing amenities.

For all the modern perks like spacious kitchens, central heat and up-to-date plumbing, a majority of the houses were actually taking architectural cues from the past. Architects like William Bates and Lewis Bowman were working in a range of revival styles, including Tudor and Colonial, to create sprawling homes for the commuters and their families. Tudor houses were so popular among the newly rich that the largest houses earned the nickname Stockbroker Tudors.

upstate homes for sale pelham

Bowman, a native of New York and resident of Bronxville, designed scores of such houses in the area, including a stone country manor, currently on the market in nearby Pelham Manor.

The house, at 401 Monterey Avenue was built in 1926 for Clifford Tobias and Martha Emmons Weihman. Clifford, a vegetable-oil importer, and Martha were married in 1919 and spent time living in the city before settling into this rather spacious abode.

upstate-homes-for-sale-pelham-lewis-bowman-401-monterey-avenue-hall-3

They timed their return in the midst of what the local newspaper referred to as “one of the greatest advances in the real estate boom,” with millions of dollars invested in the 18th century town of Pelham and the adjoining villages of Pelham Manor and North Pelham.

A 1925 article in The Daily Argus reported that 155 new building permits were issued in 1924, mostly for residences — although there was also at least one chicken coop built. The paper predicted even more construction in 1925 and 1926, with sewage and street improvement projects underway to meet the new demand for housing.

upstate homes for sale pelham manor lewis bowman
The dining room of the Ralph B Maltby House in Bronxville, designed by Bowman in the late 1920s. Photo via Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University

The Weihman’s house was classic Bowman — nods to history to give the new construction a bit of gravitas and an interior bursting with woodwork and detailing. The house would have lent itself to richly furnished interiors with an “old world” charm. Contemporary photographs of other Bowman houses at the time show rugs, lush textiles and heavy wood furnishings.

upstate homes for sale pelham

Clifford must have been happy with his new home, as the Weihman family owned the house until his death in 1983. He was an active part of Pelham life for all of those years, including serving as the president of the Mount Vernon Hospital. He also made a contribution to the parks of Pelham with a donation of funds.

After Martha’s death in 1940, he funded the landscaping of what became the Martha Emmons Weihman Memorial Park. Located on Boston Post Road less than a mile from the house, the green space was opened in 1941. Clifford married twice following Martha’s death, remaining in the house at Monterey Avenue.

upstate homes for sale pelham

In 1983, the house was sold to the current family, who, from the listing photos, appear to have kept Bowman’s rich interior details largely intact. The roughly 6,500 square foot house has the main entertaining spaces spread out on the first floor with bedrooms above.

Any guest ushered into the front door would face an impressive entry, with wood paneling, archways and a dramatic stair with a double height, leaded glass window.

upstate homes for sale pelham

Even more woodwork is on display in the large living room, with a heavy wood cornice, pilasters and wainscoting.

upstate homes for sale pelham

There’s even a wood-framed window seat, offering an intimate conversation spot during a swinging house party.

upstate-homes-for-sale-pelham-lewis-bowman-401-monterey-avenue-library

A library offers plenty of shelving and one of the three fireplaces in the house. The listing doesn’t mention whether or not they are in working condition.

upstate homes for sale pelham

The dining room offers a lighter, but still formal vibe, with a plaster ceiling and painted woodwork. There’s also a tantalizing glimpse into the butler’s pantry, which could have original cabinetry. According to the listing, the kitchen has been updated, but since there aren’t any pictures it is tough to tell if any early character survives.

upstate-homes-for-sale-pelham-lewis-bowman-401-monterey-avenue-upstairs-hall-1

Up the grand staircase, more detailed woodwork awaits, along with a beamed ceiling.

upstate-homes-for-sale-pelham-lewis-bowman-401-monterey-avenue-upstairs-bed-2

There are five bedrooms upstairs, including a master with en suite bath, sitting room and balcony.

upstate-homes-for-sale-pelham-lewis-bowman-401-monterey-avenue-upstairs-bed-5

The bedrooms have wall moldings and hardwood floors and there are some small bonus spaces like this dressing area with built-in storage.

upstate-homes-for-sale-pelham-lewis-bowman-401-monterey-avenue-upstairs-bed-6

There are four full and two half baths, but none are pictured in full. There’s a glimpse of a bath in a listing photo of the master bedroom and it looks like its had some updates. It’s not clear if the other bathrooms might still have some fabulous remaining early 20th century details.

upstate-homes-for-sale-pelham-lewis-bowman-401-monterey-avenue-pool-2

The house is set on a little over an acre of land that includes a heated swimming pool and an attached two car garage.

It’s still a convenient location for commuters, with the Metro North station less than a mile away, along with downtown Pelham’s core of shops and restaurants.

The house is listed for $2.65 million by Scott M. Stiefvater of Stiefvater Real Estate.

Related Stories

Email tips@brownstoner.com with further comments, questions or tips. Follow Brownstoner on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Brooklyn in Your Inbox

* indicates required
 
Subscribe

What's Your Take? Leave a Comment