Description
For the first time in forty years, The Coykendall House, a meticulously preserved Queen Anne Victorian, is revealed. Built circa 1896 and perched above Kingston’s historic Rondout Waterfront, this rare offering seamlessly blends architectural integrity, refined modern living, and close proximity to fine dining, arts and culture, marinas, and boutique shopping. Commissioned by George and Emma Coykendall, prominent figures of the Hudson River’s industrial era, the home showcases craftsmanship that cannot be replicated today. Original details remain remarkably intact, including pristine oak pocket doors, more than two dozen stained-glass transoms, hand-carved woodwork, ash floors, preserved 1896 wallpaper and drapery, and multiple stone and wood fireplaces. The parlor unfolds with theatrical grace. Three commanding windows face the street, each crowned with its original 1896 stained-glass transom that scatters color like confetti across the ash floors. Beyond them, a rare curved-glass alcove bends the afternoon light into flickering ribbons that seem to dance across the baby grand piano. The dining room, once the setting of Emma Coykendall’s famed rose-laden luncheons, spans the full width of the home. Its fireplace, a radiant focal point, is framed in handmade butterscotch tiles whose molten, honeyed tones cast a nostalgic glow across the oak-paneled walls. It is a room that has known elegance, music, and celebration for generations. A sweeping staircase leads to a serene stained-glass reading alcove illuminated by its original Tiffany pendant light, a jewel box of color and quiet. The stairway then turns toward an airy upper landing with its own fireplace, where warm light gathers and the home’s craftsmanship seems to exhale. On this level, the bedrooms are imbued with the quiet grandeur of another era. The primary suite stretches the full width of the house, anchored by a luminous fireplace and intimate built-in seating. Just beyond, the dressing area showcases remarkable original 1896 double sinks, an exquisite preservation of Victorian luxury that feels both historic and unexpectedly modern. The spa-like ensuite invites retreat, featuring a two-person marble-tiled shower, a cedar sauna, and a jacuzzi soaking tub. The tower’s second floor reveals a light-filled office, where three tall windows, still draped in the original curtains personally selected by the Coykendalls, frame views that have inspired imagination for more than 130 years. It is a space that feels both storied and inspired, equally suited for creative work or quiet reflection. Above, the third floor, originally designed as service quarters and still accessed by the internal stairwell, retains remarkable architectural integrity. Delightfully finished bonus spaces include a captivating circular turret room wrapped in curving shelving, a tucked-away wood-shelved library, and a striking bath with a clawfoot tub nestled beneath the eaves. Behind the scenes, the home has been thoughtfully updated with state-of-the-art commercial mechanical systems, a whole-house generator for seamless power during inclement weather, and a new roof installed over the home’s complex peaks, turret, and porches, all while preserving the original four chimneys. Set on an oversized double lot, the grounds feature established perennial gardens, a large private yard hidden behind mature yews, and a winding path to a gazebo with views toward the Catskill Mountains. At the front of the property stands Kingston’s last remaining gas lamppost, now electrified yet rich with old-world charm. Homes of this caliber seldom appear. Homes of this caliber with their soul intact, almost never. The Coykendall House is not simply being listed. It is being released. Awaiting its seventh chapter. Awaiting you.
