Immersed in resplendent rose gardens, terracotta and climbing wisteria, La Quercia would be a marvelous study in suburban New York living even without a history—but there's more to its story.
William Timken, heir to the Timken roller bearing fortune, constructed this idyllic Westchester retreat in 1920. Comprising 3+ acres of pristine, park-like acreage at the end of a tree-lined street, the property is a teleport to Tuscany, a world of its own enchanting with imported tile floors, Venetian plaster walls, Juliette balconies and frieze accents. Custom wrought iron work winds its way up doors and windows, augmented by custom stained glass commissioned by Rohlf's, the preeminent area restorer. Arched covered promenades and open courts lead to great lawns, manicured plantings and a spacious pool and patio area.
Croton-on-Hudson has long magnetized mechanically-minded titans of industry, and appropriately so. The Croton Aqueduct, a continued source of New York City's water supply today, was considered among the greatest engineering marvels in the world upon its completion in the 1840s, crowned by a colossal dam on its namesake river today sharing the Gorge with a popular park. Harmon, the railroad hub in town, was home base for cutting edge streamlined passenger trains like the Henry Dreyfuss-designed 21st Century Limited (which glided on Timken roller bearings), once the superlative in luxury travel. But despite anecdotes in American industrial archaeology, the majority of the lower Hudson Valley community has always retained its rural, unspoiled natural splendor, down-to-earth vibes and architectural diversity.
Step inside and experience La Quercia for yourself: