‘The Watcher’ Pays Ode to a Stunning Yonkers Tudor
By Lindsay Blake, Dirt
Location: Park Hill, Yonkers, N.Y., Year 1912, Architect: Delhi and Chamberlin, Specs: 12,000 square feet, 11 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms Lot Size: 0.53 acresAccording to production designer Kristi Zea, Ryan Murphy set out to make his latest Netflix endeavor, the seven-episode mystery mini-series “The Watcher,” “smack of ‘real estate porn.'” And the Hollywood mega-producer certainly delivered on that front! The show is a virtual smorgasbord of architectural delights!
Based on actual events, the chilling tale centers around Dean (Bobby Cannavale) and Nora Brannock (Naomi Watts), former Manhattanites who, upon relocating to Westfield, New Jersey, and moving into their dream home, begin to receive menacing letters from someone calling themselves “The Watcher.” Dark and sinister at its core, the scenery is nonetheless delicious! Even the grocery store featured briefly in episode six, where the Brannocks set up a sting operation to entrap prime Watcher suspect Roger Caplan (Michael Nouri), is thoroughly aspirational with charming exposed brickwork, reclaimed wood accenting and plank flooring. (Those hoping to walk the same aisles as Nora and Dean should head to the DeCicco & Sons market in Larchmont, New York.) And while the shingled estate at the forefront of the story is a definitive showstopper, the spotlight is temporarily stolen by a glorious Tudor that cameos toward the end of the series.
In the penultimate episode, titled “The Gloaming,” private detective Theodora Birch (Noma Dumezweni) leads the Brannocks on a hunt to learn more about Caplan, a local high school English teacher, who grew up “on the other side of the tracks” and became fixated on the stately residences where his wealthier classmates lived. The hunt leads straight to the home of Carol Flannigan (Pamela Dunlap), the older sister of one of Roger’s childhood friends and owner of his primary obsession, a mammoth Tudor said to be located at 55 Oak Terrace.
In real life, the property is known as Alta Manor, and it can’t be found in Westfield, or New Jersey at all for that matter, but in Park Hill, an architecturally rich section of Yonkers, New York situated about 10 miles north of Manhattan. Every bit as stunning as it was shown to be onscreen, the massive residence sits perched atop a rolling bluff overlooking the Hudson River at 131 Alta Ave. While The New York Times describes Park Hill as teeming with distinctive “Queen Anne, Mediterranean and Shingle-style” abode with “care taken to make each one stand apart,” Alta Manor truly stands out amongst the rest. (Please remember this is a private home. Do not trespass or bother the residents or the property in any way.)
As Nora and Dean learn, Roger regularly writes anonymous love letters to 55 Oak Terrace, florally-worded missives he calls “odes to a house” that extol the lofty characteristics of the “magnificent jewel box” of a property. Resplendent with gorgeous brickwork, beautiful stained glass windows and ornately carved framing, it is no surprise the estate was selected as the object of Roger’s affection. It is precisely the sort of residence one would be inspired to write love letters to!
The elegant four-story mansion was initially built in 1912 for Captain Robert Boettger, “one of the leading citizens of Yonkers,” as described by his 1945 obituary, and founder of United Piece Dye Works, which at the time of its inception was the country’s most prominent piece dye company. Masterfully designed by the Delhi and Chamberlin architecture firm, the impressive structure comprises 11 bedrooms and nine baths in 12,000 square feet of dazzling living space – nearly all of it pristinely preserved!
Exquisitely maintained throughout its 110-year history, the property is a genuine work of art from top to bottom, the likes of which aren’t often seen in today’s modern world, let alone in such close proximity to New York City! The formal entry alone is enough to bring any architectural buff to tears! A wonderland of rich woodwork and opulent carvings, the divine enclave features coffered oak paneling, pegged teak flooring, beamed ceilings, and the grandest of grand staircases.
The collection of palatial living spaces includes a library, a living room, a formal dining room, two solariums and a recreation room, most immaculately appointed with wood-burning fireplaces (the house boasts 10 in all!), hearty wood accents and ravishing ornamental plasterwork.
Although thoroughly updated, the kitchen maintains a turn-of-the-century vibe, complete with leaded glass windows, gleaming marble floors, subway tile wall coverings, and custom cabinetry. Modern fixtures include a professional 12-burner stove, a double oven, a central island with seating, two dishwashers, dual sinks, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, and a beverage cooler.
The adjacent butler’s pantry, larger than most apartments, retains numerous historic features such as glass-fronted cabinets, multiple ice boxes, and a proofer (a device used in baking bread) currently in working order. The pad’s original dumbwaiter, noted as being “oversized,” is also intact, which should be quite ironic to fans of “The Watcher.”
The spacious bedrooms, situated upstairs, also boast fireplaces, as well as views of the Hudson River, while the owners’ suite is outfitted with handsome moldings, a dressing room, and a bath with a double pedestal sink, a walk-in shower, and a truly unique barrel-vaulted ceiling.
On the beautifully manicured 0.53-acre lot, you’ll find multiple terraces and gardens, a heated in-ground pool, a covered patio and a dignified porte-cochère.
The extraordinary property last hit the market in February 2020 for $2.25 million, ultimately selling for $1.8 million the following year. The new owners immediately set about embracing the home’s cinematic potential by promoting it through several area location companies, as well as via its own official filming website. And the advertising certainly paid off! Alta Manor secured its role on “The Watcher” just a few months after changing hands. (It is also available to lease for private functions and special events.)
Both the interior and exterior of the estate are showcased to spectacular effect in “The Gloaming” episode, with Nora, Dean, Roger and Theodora all appropriately awed over the “delicious coffered walls,” “beautiful newel posts” and “amazing ornamental work in the plaster.” Although only shown in a couple of brief scenes, including one in which the Brannocks sit down with Carol in the exquisite living room (pictured from opposing angles above), Alta Manor leaves a lasting impression, the gorgeous detailing certainly inspiring this writer to put pen to paper (or rather digital ink to screen) in praise of the place!
Featured Film Location: Alta Manor
By Sarah Le, LactionsHub
Alta Manor is a unique, grand, turn-of-the-century, four-story Tudor mansion in Yonkers, New York, with breathtaking views of the Hudson River, now ready to host film productions. Built in 1912, this historic 12,000-SF Park Hill home is located on a half-acre property, featuring a heated in-ground pool, terraces, covered patios, a security gate, and a Porte Cochere circular driveway. Alta Manor retains all its original details, including a formal receiving hall, a grand staircase with wood-carved newel posts and balusters, decorative lead glass windows, wood-beamed ceilings, ten fireplaces, and wide plank floors. This 10-bedroom estate has been modernized for today's level of comfort, complete with HVAC, a renovated gourmet kitchen, and 400-amp electricity. The entire house and garden are available for filming and for backstage areas. Contact Alta Manor to book it for your next production!
110-Year-Old Yonkers Tudor Mansion Cameo In Netflix's 'The Watcher'
The home built in 1912, known as "Alta Manor," in the historic Park Hills section of the city, is a stand-in for a NJ estate.
By Jeff Edwards,Patch Staff
YONKERS, NY — Viewers of Netflix's "The Watcher" were again asked to suspend their disbelief and imagine that some of the Hudson Valley's best-known and most historic architecture instead exists in the so-called Garden State.
The gorgeous Tudor mansion in Episode 6 of Netflix's "The Watcher" was just the latest example.
We already asked last month if you watched "The Watcher" and wondered why the house at the center of the creepy story or the bread aisle in the dramatic grocery store scene looked so familiar. You probably know by now about the Rye house that starred in "The Watcher" and that the intense grocery store showdown in which our heroes followed a trail of breadcrumb canisters in the search for the suspect was shot in the Larchmont DeCicco's. It turns out another key location in Episode 6 was at a historic Yonkers mansion known as "Alta Manor."
The limited series, "The Watcher," directed by Ryan Murphy (a Westchester County resident himself), and starring Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Mia Farrow, and Jennifer Coolidge, follows married couple Dean and Nora Brannock who move into their dream home in the suburbs with their children. But soon after moving in, they begin to realize some peculiar things going on in their new neighborhood. The family starts receiving disturbing letters from a mysterious someone called "The Watcher" who says it is their duty to "watch over" the house and begins terrorizing the family. The seven-part series is inspired by real-life events, in Westfield, New Jersey.
Filming on the show actually took place across New York, from September 2021 - March 2022, primarily in Westchester County.
According to Dirt, the producers of the show chose the Yonkers mansion in the historic Park Hills section to stand in for a Westfield, New Jersey house that the suspected "Watcher" from the recently aired supermarket scene had been obsessed with his whole life.
While investigating the potential "Watcher" suspect, the Brannocks visit the mansion and admire the "ornamental work on the plaster." In a flashback scene, the suspect in his youth admired the beautiful "newel posts" and declared, with Hannibal Lecter-esque delivery, "These coffered walls are just delicious!"
The property was originally built in 1912 for Captain Robert Boettger, a prominent Yonkers citizen and founder of United Piece Dye Works, which was at the time the country's most prominent piece dye company.
According to property records, after being put on the market in February 2020 for $2.25 million, the 10-bedroom, 8-bathroom, 12,000-square-foot property sold for $1.8 million in 2021.
Under new ownership, the property is now promoted as a film location and has its own filming website.
The home is situated on 0.53 acres and is located in the historic Park Hills area of Yonkers. The grand, turn-of-the-century, 3-story Tudor mansion with Hudson River views, was designed by Delhi and Chamberlin. According to Douglas Elliman Real Estate, which listed the property before its 2021 sale, the home boasts a total of 12,000 square feet on a manicured half-acre with a heated in-ground pool, terraces, covered patios, a security gate, and a Porte Cochere circular driveway. All original details were retained, including a formal receiving hall, a grand staircase with wood-carved newel posts and balusters, decorative lead glass windows, wood-beamed ceilings, 10 fireplaces, and wide plank floors. The estate has also been modernized for comfort. Updates include HVAC, a renovated gourmet kitchen, updated bathrooms, and 400-amp electricity. A fully, and partially finished basement has a walkout to a covered patio.
The real-life saga of "The Watcher," began in 2014 when Derek and Maria Broaddus purchased a 1905 Dutch colonial located in Westfield, NJ for $1.3 million, hoping to raise their family there.
However, before they even moved in, an anonymous letter writer began sending threatening letters with disturbing references to their three children.
The family said they were too scared to move into the six-bedroom house due to the threats the letters contained, such as "allow me to watch you and track you as you move through the house" and referring to the children as "young blood."
To this day, no one knows the identity of the real-life letter writer who sent the horrifying messages to the family.
The Broaddus family repeatedly tried to unsuccessfully sell the home and was forced to eventually drop the price. In Aug. of 2019, the home was finally sold for $959K to another couple, Andrew and Allison Carr.
The Broaddus couple also tried to sue the previous owners of the home in 2016, claiming they knew of "The Watcher's" threatening letters but did not disclose any information while selling the home. A Superior Court judge eventually dismissed the lawsuit in 2017.
The Movie-Geek’s Guide to New York City: 15 Must-See Filming Locations
Source: By Robin Stevenson, readersdigest.ca
A favourite of filmmakers, New York City is always ready for its close-up. Pay homage to the Big Apple’s quintessential movie moments with this list of 15 must-see, must-Instagram filming locations.
10 Famous Filming Locations in New York City You Must Visit
Many famous Hollywood movies and US TV series have been shot at New York City landmarks. If you’re a movie fan, why not having an unusual trip to New York to visit those sites.
1. The Flatiron Building: Spider Man
2. The Greenwich Village: Friends
3. The Fifth Avenue: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
4. Café Lalo: You’ve Got Mail
5. Kat’s Delicatessen: When Harry Met Sally=
6. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: Black Swan
7. The Grand Central Terminal: Gossip Girl
8. New York Public Library: Sex and the City
9. The Empire State Building
10. The Wall Street: The Wolf of Wall Street