One of the best-known homes in Rockland County, NY located about 20 minutes from where we live, is called Pretty Penny, aptly named in 1932 by its then new owner, Helen Hayes and her husband, playwright Charles MacArthur.
As the new owners, Hayes and her husband entertained celebrities such as Ronald Reagan, Marilyn Monroe, Rosalind Russell, Ed Sullivan, Cole Porter, F.Scott Fitzgerald, John Barrymore, Laurence Olivier, Katherine Hepburn, Noel Coward, and Vivien Leigh. If that’s not enough name dropping for you, there is a now famous painting of the house by Edward Hopper and some famous personalities who have expressed interest in the property have been the Clintons and Ben Stiller, and Russell Crowe rented the house for six months while filming “American Gangster” in 2006.
In 1996, three years after Hayes’ death, Rosie O’Donnell purchased the house. Although it had been listed for $1.9 million, O’Donnell got it for $770,000. Apparently the beautiful home had fallen into disrepair and was in need of extensive renovations, which Rosie undertook, spending more than $2 million, and in 2000, she sold Pretty Penny for $2.25 million to Edward and Cindy Kopko. (If you do the math, she suffered a financial loss on the house.)
Pretty Penny once again found itself up for sale in 2005 when it was purchased by art dealer W. Graham Arader III, and he now has it on the market for $4.9 million.
Let’s start our tour with the kitchen, which has a modern yet classic cottage feel with high-end stainless steel appliances, a classic black and white tile floor, and loads of wainscoting.
Take a good look at the crown moulding in the dining room. Stunning!
Here’s what you would see from the bed in the master. The current master suite also has a fireplace, large walk-in closet and a renovated bathroom that dates to O’Donnell. There are two more bedrooms on this level, each with its own bathroom and marble fireplace. In all, the 7000′ sq ft house has eight fireplaces and five full and three half-baths.
Notice the detail on the vanity drawers? Although you can’t see it in this picture, I think the tub looks out onto the Hudson River.
The bar, located in the basement, was taken from a theatre that was being demolished on Broadway. That’s what I call recycling at its best.
The room behind these beautiful stained glass panels is where Hayes’ was known to fill numerous vases with the beautiful roses from her famous garden.
It’s all about the views, isn’t it?!
Hayes and MacArthur invested $100,000 in Pretty Penny after they bought it in 1932. A lot of money even today, but at the height of the Depression it was a ‘Pretty Penny’.
Hayes and her husband had two children; a son, the actor James MacArthur (“Danno” in television’s original “Hawaii Five-O”), who grew up in the house along with his sister, Mary, who died of polio at 19.
In 1956 MacArthur passed away at the age of 61. Hayes, who lived in the house for more than 60 years, wrote in her memoir, “My Life in Three Acts,” that he drank himself to death after his beloved daughter died.
What did you think of this house? From the outside, is the inside what you expected?
For an interesting ‘Virtual Tour’ of the home and property, click here.
Photo Credit: Tania Savayan/The Journal News
Nana Diana says
What a gorgeous old house! I love homes that have a history like that! xo Diana
Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says
I would love to see the bed in that bedroom…love a 4 poster bed. I love the kitchen…that vintage feel but with all the modern conveniences. Great tour, Doreen!
Doreen@househoneys says
Thanks Susan! If you would like to see a lot more (including the bed), click on over to the virtual tour. It’s pretty cool!
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
The outside and the view are absolutely stunning. I also love those stained glass separations and door!
Angela says
What a wonderful old home! Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall back in its “hay day” when all the celebrities visited! Beautiful rooms and views. I honestly thought the kitchen would be a bit grander but I’d take it!~~Angela
Denise says
So beautiful!
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Poppy says
Hi Doreen,
First of all, I love the fact that this beautiful home is categorized as an Italianate Victorian, as its features exactly exemplify this style of architecture. I love the exterior for its grand, white facade and generous entrance. Then, the kitchen is my favourite room, while the others don’t seem too impressive, despite their grandeur of size and features. Of course, the views are, I think, probably its most cherished characteristic and certainly would be entertainment in themselves. It’s no surprise that this beautiful property was the subject of a painting, as it deserves to be adored forever, both by its owners and those who view it in its permanent prime, on canvas.
Thanks for all the interesting information; really enjoyed this post!
Poppy
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Such a great story to go along with a beautiful home, although so sad that polio took someone so young! I wouldn’t have guessed the view and land surrounding to look like it does. Adding that bit of info really creates a great picture. Did I hear 8 fireplaces?? Nice to see how the other half lives. Thank you for sharing!
Andi says
What a beautiful property! Thanks for sharing!!
-andi
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hi Doreen! Wow! What a house! I love the large bay windows and the view is spectacular. I also love the blue room. I find the map on the wall in the dinning room interesting. Fun post! Thanks for sharing!
~ Vashti