Mushroom house?

What do you think about the mushroom house on south crescent? It has been on the market for quite some time and does not seem to find a buyer?

My view is that any house will sell at the right price. Clearly, the price is not "right" in the market's view, especially in light of the nearly 24K in taxes.

where can i view the interior I have always been curious about that house

I just looked it up on zillow.com. The address is 11 south crescent

It looks like it needs work!!!

http://www.weichert.com/48922507/

Someone posted about their South Orange "mushroom house" a few months back while replacing the roof. It looked....complicated.

llcoach: Contact the realtor and ask if/when s/he plans to hold an open house for the property. This is a very large house with very little in the way of any privacy in its yard. It is also very close to Valley Street with the noise and traffic that goes with that location. I can understand why there might be difficulty in finding the right buyer for the property.

RobB: This is a different mushroom house than the one in SO.

We looked at that house when it was for sale several owners ago. It is a special house, but also definitely not for everyone. It probably is a great house for someone that entertains a lot--the large living room cries for parties and galas. Many of the other rooms seem tiny--and ordinary--in comparison. Somehow it doesn't strike me as a 'home' for most families just moving to our towns.

Eventually the house will sell to the right buyers at the right price.

It looks beautiful!

Is that the saame house that is on th corner of S.O Ave and Wyoming Ave.
It looks similar but the map does not look like it is?

The house referred to in the OP is in Maplewood at the western tip of the Crescent on the center island.

We put a new heating system in the house two years ago. A really magnificent, unique house.
I hope whoever buys it keeps it in character.

Gorgeous. And ready for a complete kitchen reno.

Wow, gorgeous!

boomie said:

Gorgeous. And ready for a complete kitchen reno.

This was my thought. And also that it seems like a lot of house to maintain. Ch-ching!

But it's lovely and I'm sure the right person/family will come along eventually.

I would think there would be a way to fence off part of the side yard (on the north) for some privacy, and still stay within the town's building code. Or the situation might induce the town to grant a variance if that's what it would take.

Looked at this house when it was open a while back..... The ceiling in the corner of the living room appeared to have been repaired due to water damage. Issue with the floor near the window in the study too (if I remember correctly). A beautiful house - but heating bills and A/C would scare me...

Plunge- are you a previous owner? I wonder how much it cost monthly in the winter to heat the house...

boomie said:

Gorgeous. And ready for a complete kitchen reno.

LOL! Kitchen is dated, but I would be so happy to have that kitchen it has at least 3x more counterspace than my kitchen and probably 5x the storage space!

Redcat said:

Plunge- are you a previous owner? I wonder how much it cost monthly in the winter to heat the house...

No he's the previous plumber!

Someone told me it once belonged to Dionne Warwick - true or baseless rumor????

If you go to GSMLS.com you can see see several pics of the house. Just search price of 799,000.

From the GSMLS:

Remarks: This is one of the most recognized and admired homes in town. Incredible details,grand presentation qualities, impressive great room with stone fireplace, Located within very short distance of Village
Listing Office: COLDWELL BANKER REALTORS
Office Phone: 973-378-8300
Listing Agent: ROBERT NORTHFIELD
More Details
Address: 11 SOUTH CRES
$ 799,000
MLS# 3070837
Status: Active of $799,000
County: Essex
Cities/Towns: Maplewood Twp.
Style: Tudor
FHA 55+: No
Zone/Comp: Res
Rooms: 9
Bedrooms: 4
Full Baths: 3
Half Baths: 1
Total Baths: 3.1
Acreage: .35
Living Room Level/Dim: First / 30x20
Dining Room Level/Dim: First / 18x16
Kitchen Level/Dim: First / 14x24
Bedroom 1 Level/Dim: Second / 18x16
Bedroom 2 Level/Dim: Second / 21x14
Bedroom 3 Level/Dim: Second / 12x12
Bedroom 4 Level/Dim: First / 10x12
Den Level/Dim: /
Sq Ft:
Association fee: $
Garage/Desc 3/ Attached Garage, Garage Door Opener
Heat Source: Gas-Natural
Heat System: 2 Units, Forced Hot Air, Radiators - Hot Water
Cool System: 1 Unit, Central Air
Water: Public Water
Sewer: Public Sewer
Utilities: Electric, Gas-Natural
Services: Cable TV Available, Garbage Extra Charge
Grade School: TUSCAN
Middle School: MAPLEWOOD
High School: COLUMBIA
Tax Amount: $ 0
Tax Year: 2014
Tax Rate: 3.186
Tax Rate Year: 2012
Easement/Desc: Unknown /
Farm Assessment: No
Land Assessment: $ 422,400
Building Assessment: $ 376,100
Total Assessment: $ 798,500
Lot Size: 109X140
Lot Description: Irregular Lot
YB/Desc: 1928 / Approximate
Renovated Yr:
Basmnt/Desc: Yes / Finished, Full
Family Room Level/Dim: First / 15x14
Other Room 1 Level/Dim: First / 11x22
Other Room 2 Level/Dim: Basement / 23x21
Other Room 3 Level/Dim: Basement / 19x21
Other Room 4 Level/Dim: /
Interior: Bar-Wet, Cathedral Ceiling, Drapes, Smoke Detector
Exterior: Patio, Sidewalk
Application Fee: $

kap

Dionne lives in San Jose now.

According to the Real Estate tax database, the taxes were $30,563. However, I'm not sure if includes the effects of the last reval. The data above lists a Total Assessment of $ 798,500. Online shows a Total Assessment of $ 939,900

metaphysician said:

According to the Real Estate tax database, the taxes were $30,563. However, I'm not sure if includes the effects of the last reval. The data above lists a Total Assessment of $ 798,500. Online shows a Total Assessment of $ 939,900

Correct, as of 1/10/13 yourmoney.nj.gov reports:

Owner Address 11 SOUTH CRESCENT
MAPLEWOOD, N.J. 07040
PROPERTY INFORMATION
Street Address 11 SOUTH CRESCENT
County ESSEX
MAPLEWOOD TWP
Block Number 23.02
Lot Number 136
Qualifier -
Property Class RESIDENTIAL
Land Description 109X140
Building Description 2SB3G
Acreage .3503
Land Value $422,400.00
Building Value $517,500.00
Net Value $939,900.00
Prior Year Tax Amount $30,563.30

chopin said:

I would think there would be a way to fence off part of the side yard (on the north) for some privacy, and still stay within the town's building code. Or the situation might induce the town to grant a variance if that's what it would take.

"Inducing the town to grant a variance" is a bit of a quixotic escapade in my view.

I went to the open house last time it was on the market and it's an amazing piece of history. Rumors were that it had once been a speakeasy, and the elaborately decorated basement game rooms and back staircases give credence to that (true or not, still cool to ponder). That said, there are small bedrooms, so not necessarily an easy choice for a young family. I always thought the house would be great for empty-nesters (or dinks) who have a passion and budget for historic renovation.

wunder said:

Someone told me it once belonged to Dionne Warwick - true or baseless rumor????

I believe the Mushroom House of South Orange is where Dionne Warwick lived, not this one.

What are the initials above the fireplace?