The Gold Coast's Old Westbury

Rolling hills, open spaces of at least 2 to 5 acres, and tree-lined alleys are all well-known characteristics of Old Westbury. These little communities are home to some of the top educational institutions in the nation. As a consequence of the many polo and horse riding facilities in the region, they are often referred to as "Horse Country." In this area, there are several of exclusive golf and country clubs. The Phipps family lived at Old Westbury Gardens, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Old Westbury Market

The average price per square foot in Old Westbury has dropped by $33 over the last six months, according to market trends. Six months ago, the average sales price was $2,092,000; now, it is $1,652,500. Real estate in Old Westbury spends, on average, 137 days on the market. A fair expectation for purchasers is 94% of the asking price.

According to publications like Forbes and Newsweek, Old Westbury has long been a favorite of the nation's richest citizens, and it still is today. It takes little more than 30 minutes by rail or automobile to get to the Northern Parkway and Long Island Expressway, which are situated near the southern end of Long Island's "Gold Coast." Over the 8.6 square mile span of forested slopes, there are private estates ranging in size from two acres to hundreds of acres. Because of the several miles of public riding routes, the horse farm, and the polo fields, it has long been referred to as an equestrian's paradise. The city has around 4,200 residents and 1,000 homes. Although the hamlet lacks a commercial area, it is adjacent to fantastic shops and restaurants, boats, attractions for the arts, and hospitals that have won accolades. Three institutions and two country clubs are also located there.

Facts & History About Old Westbury

Three centuries ago, a simpler and more rural way of life could be found in the village of Old Westbury, which is now regularly depicted in movies and television shows for its opulent lifestyle. From around the middle of the seventeenth century through the middle of the nineteenth century, Quakers owned and ran roughly 40 substantial, self-sufficient farms (blacksmith, grist mill, general store, and dye and carpet factory).

Rich people like the Phipps and Whitney families bought their farms before the Civil War and the establishment of a railroad in York City. They traveled to these rolling hills and wide meadows approximately 35 minutes outside of the city for polo, horse racing, and other equestrian activities like fox hunting and polo. The farms were changed into expansive estates resembling European palaces as a result of the alterations.

The environment of Old Westbury was once again changed by the development of parkways on Long Island and the need for inexpensive housing for returning servicemen during World War II. The large estate owners started selling or giving their property to groups and developers as land values and taxes rose. Long Island University Post was bought by Charles W. Post, the creator of Post-It notes, and given his name. It includes a section of Old Westbury. The remaining 530 acres of Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney's estate, which was sold to a developer, were turned into the New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury and the Seversky Conference Center. Along with the home, the Old Westbury Golf and Country Club was built on 190 acres. Broad Hollow, now known as the SUNY College at Old Westbury, was owned by F. Ambrose Clark, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and well-known equestrian.

The 100-acre home "Westbury," which was constructed for John S. Phipps and Margarita Grace Phipps, heirs to the U.S. Steel fortune, is still standing. They stayed in only one of their several residences from September to January every year. Old Westbury Gardens, one of the world's most stunning gardens, is also a well-known Long Island estate museum. The Phipps' daughter Margaret Phipps Boegner kept it available to the public until her death in 2006. The Phipps Museum of Art gives the general public a gift by providing visitors with a taste of life during Long Island's "Golden Age."