Thursday, June 22, 2006

McGreevy Moves To Plainfield?

From the Star Ledger:

A Plainfield mansion for McGreevey and partner

Former Gov. James E. McGreevey and his partner, Mark O'Donnell, are about to purchase a 17-room, $1.4 million home in Plainfield's historic Sleepy Hollow neighborhood, according to two people with direct knowledge of the deal.

The ivy-covered Georgian Colonial boasts eight bedrooms, five fireplaces and four bathrooms. The neighborhood is home to several local politicians, including former Plainfield Mayor Al McWilliams and Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-Union).

McGreevey will live in the 92-year-old home with O'Donnell, a successful Manhattan financier who has been dating the former governor for about a year. The couple is expected to close the deal next week, the sources said.
...
The palatial home, which includes a solarium, a butler's pantry and in-ground swimming pool, sits on 1.7 acres and was originally built for a founder of the New York Stock Exchange. Its gardens were designed by the firm of noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who created Central Park.

25 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well he found his sugar
daddy. Next he will be on the
tv.

6/22/2006 05:52:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maybe he'll do a Martha-Stewart- type show from his house, but with a little politics thrown in instead of gardening.

You know, I'd watch it.

Pat

6/22/2006 06:38:00 AM  
Blogger grim said...

I've been trying to get confirmation on whether or not this is the MLS-listed Plainfield home that Unrealtor posted earlier.

If it is, at an OLP of almost two million, this ex-gov has landed himself a lowball that would make the top of the list.

grim

6/22/2006 06:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

so they can chase each other around.

play hide a seek, and perhaps
they will be adopting

6/22/2006 07:27:00 AM  
Blogger grim said...

If it's the MLS listed home:

MLS ID#: 2265767

I can see why they would want the place. It really is a great house, architecturally that is.

Take a look at the virtual tour (it's an EXE, be warned), for better pictures.

I'm a historic house geek, this is the kind of thing I drool over.

There has been absolutely no confirmation that this is the home. Only speculation based on the similarity of both descriptions.

grim

6/22/2006 07:31:00 AM  
Blogger grim said...

Thanks KL, that is it.

grim

6/22/2006 09:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There goes the neighborhood!

6/22/2006 09:29:00 AM  
Blogger grim said...

Actually, I think it's a big positive for that neighborhood.

grim

6/22/2006 09:41:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

6/22/2006 09:48:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Of all places, Planfield--come on! That hood is a POS! Why not Montclair, Llywellyn Park, Glen Ridge, Bedford, NY.

If you want to make a statement--obvious for $1.7M in a POS town, then go someplace that you would feel comfortable inviting friends to.

What will we call it? Homo Hill (like Turkey Hill).

6/22/2006 11:51:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Of all places, Planfield--come on! That hood is a POS! Why not Montclair, Llywellyn Park, Glen Ridge, Bedford, NY.

If you want to make a statement--obvious for $1.7M in a POS town, then go someplace that you would feel comfortable inviting friends to.

What will we call it? Homo Hill (like Turkey Hill).

6/22/2006 11:51:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know several gay couples in that area who are trying to leave because of theft. Your house is an "open market" when you go to work during the day. Also, they mentioned that the services are horrible and that socially--you're better off in PA.

6/22/2006 12:26:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If I am not mistaken, Echo Lake Park is not in Plainfield. It is between Mountainside and Westifield--different animal.

6/22/2006 12:33:00 PM  
Blogger grim said...

There are more than a handful of "once-great" areas scattered across North Jersey.

All of them proof that even "prime" communities can deteriorate in the long-term.

Caveat Emptor!
Grim

6/22/2006 01:10:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

they go were the red meat is.

6/22/2006 01:33:00 PM  
Blogger chicagofinance said...

I used to like Clifton before all these biking techie geeks moved in and spoiled the town with their waterbottles and stupid blogs.

6/22/2006 01:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cambridge Crossing,home of the Townhouse of tomorrow. Ugh.

What a diaster. Packed in their
like rats. But they have a pool.

Thats Clifton .

6/22/2006 01:42:00 PM  
Blogger grim said...

"Cambridge Crossings Crazy In Clifton"

Was my second blog post. Even today that post brings in a pretty good amount of traffic from google searches.

grim

6/22/2006 02:16:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is jimmy the pitcher or the catcher?

6/22/2006 04:48:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Man Gravy hits the jackpot!

Wealth partner and a $1.7M mansion in the middle of the boonies!

Most married men who discover that they are "on the other team" turn out to be catchers!!!!

6/22/2006 05:24:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My understanding is
that this area is whats
called the Red Meat District.

Jimmy should enjoy.

Wheres Golan, the friend makes 3

6/22/2006 08:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Homo at last

6/23/2006 06:05:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Perhaps the ex gov can purchase razor wire for his needed property enclosing fence and a pack of guard dogs (not foo-foo shitzus or minature pink poodles)with the money they saved from the purchase. I hope he has the steam pipe insulation removed before closing. Well, I suppose the guys can scrape the pipes after they move in.

6/23/2006 06:12:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We came thisclose to putting in an offer on a drop dead gorgeous house in Sleepy Hollow for around $665K. It was gigantic, on a huge lot, and in pristine condition, built in the 1920s. Sleepy Hollow has lots of gay residents - a huge plus in my book given that there is historical precedent of gay residents having gentrified neighborhoods all ove the country.

At the end of the day though, taking the train at Plainfield or Netherwood station seemed too sketchy. Plainfield is getting a Starbucks though - surely that must be a sign of gentrifying - but it's a looong way away from being a town where I think I would feel safe walking down the street in the evening.

The fabulous and charming realtor who showed us around (honestly, the man is one of the few good ones - John DeMarco was his name) drove us by all of the drop dead gorgeous homes in Sleepy Hollow and Netherwood. He didn't try to sell us on the area, which we appreciated, but he clearly loves it and we had a great time with him. It's worth a visit to see the amazing homes. End up across the tracks though....it's the inner city.

6/23/2006 09:36:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My family and I own a home a block away from McGreevy's new digs. Folks come to Plainfield, despite its flaws because they can get a whole lot more house here for the money. And yes, you're safe on the streets at night unless you happen to be selling drugs!

6/25/2006 06:21:00 PM  

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