Mansion Area
Historic brownstones lining the streets
Though the homes in the Mansion Area aren’t mansions in the traditional sense, they’re generally larger on average than other neighborhoods in Albany. The mostly three-level rowhouses are lined up along the neighborhood’s sidewalks and frequently painted in different colors, so on the same block residents might pass by a white brownstone with blue trim, a purple exterior or a yellow façade. “There’s lots of rowhouses,” Murray says. ““It’s a healthy mix of owner-occupied and investment properties.” Almost all of the homes were built in the mid-to-late 1800s, some dating to as early as 1850, and availability can range from individual units to several at once or entire properties; most have three units. For cars, street parking is common, but some driveways line the streets as well. Prices can range anywhere from around $100,000 for single units of the rowhouses to closer to $300,000 for entire properties. Residents should be aware that the CAP Index crime score is a 9 out of 10.Schools with career focuses
Though there aren’t any schools located within the Mansion Area neighborhood, Giffen Memorial Elementary School is situated just south and scores a C with Niche. Students can head there for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, eventually graduating to Stephen & Harriet Myers Middle School, which receives a C-plus. Education concludes at the B-rated Albany High School, which is split into four academies – Citizenship, Leadership, Innovation and Discovery – for its students to focus on future career possibilities.A short walk from two major parks
Portions of the 68-acre Lincoln Park surround the southwestern corner of the Mansion Area, complete with courts for basketball and tennis alongside open-field spaces. Northwest of Lincoln, Washington Park’s expanse includes facilities for tennis and basketball, a playground and a large lake that’s used for ice skating in the winter. “Something’s always happening in Washington Park,” Murray says. “If you want views, you’re not too far from the Hudson River, especially during the summertime. The Empire State Trail goes down that far.” Cyclists and hikers can embark on the trail, which runs from Manhattan up to the Canadian border. Smaller green spaces within the Mansion Area include Bleecker Park and Philip Street Park, the latter of which is boxed in by homes and a roadway, but has a basketball court.Soul kitchens and throwback eateries
The Mansion Area’s residential stretch might belie its closeness to some local fare. Most shops and restaurants are concentrated along Madison Avenue, less than half a mile and about a 10-minute walk from the farthest part of the neighborhood. “There’s a lot of mom-and-pop shops,” Murray says. “Most of those are going to be on Madison Avenue. If you like soul food, Suga Foot’s is amazing and extremely well-known. There’s also a satellite of Hattie’s Restaurant. They’re very well-known in the Saratoga Springs area, and they just opened up a restaurant here.” Diners can find the Betty Boop Diner within the neighborhood for a retro vibe or stop in at the Hill Street Café on Madison for a menu featuring pizza and wings. Across the street, they can grab a nightcap at the Excelsior Pub while trying to beat high scores at pinball. A Market 32 by Price Chopper location is just west on Delaware Avenue, perfect for grocery shoppers.Skating and music in the plaza
In the heart of downtown Albany, Empire State Plaza serves as one of the biggest hubs for events in the area. Locals can skate on the ice rink in the shadows of government buildings when the rink is open seasonally, or they can check out the free Summer at the Plaza Capital Concert Series, which in recent years has featured artists like Cracker and the Eli Young Band. Year-round, the Plaza hosts a weekly farmers market every Wednesday, and movies are also shown during certain times of the year. “You’re close to Capitol Hill, which is where the State Museum is, and Empire State Plaza and The Egg performing arts center. There’s usually always something happening in that area.” The Egg itself has two theaters within its unique architectural exterior, and an expansive brick walkway surrounds the rink. Two 19th-century landmarks stand just outside of the plaza. The New York State Executive Mansion, the home of state governors since 1875, sits just down the street from the towering spires of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, completed in 1852.Nearby routes and a large interchange
The Mansion Area sits in the elbow of where Routes 20 and 32 meet. U.S. Route 20 makes up the northern boundary, in its entirety running across much of the northern United States, and New York State Route 32 runs north-to-south along the eastern side. Three of the Mansion Area’s four main surrounding thoroughfares, with the exception of Warren Street to the south, have bus stops. “Public transportation is amazing along Madison Avenue,” Murray says. “There’s buses up and down.” The South Mall Arterial, which runs near Empire State Plaza, has a large, circular interchange incorporating the Dunn Memorial Bridge and Interstate 787 alongside the river. From there, residents can head north on the interstate or hop across the river via the bridge.
Written By
Adam Cheek
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Schulman
Video By
Barry Ridgeway
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Lisa Grassi Bender
Lisa Grassi Bender
Responds QuicklyHunt ERA
(518) 832-5528
146 Total Sales
1 in Mansion Area
$430,000 Price
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Lorenzo Murray
Lorenzo Murray
Hunt ERA - Slingerlands
(857) 297-3367
369 Total Sales
3 in Mansion Area
$200K - $300K Price Range
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Cindy Quade
Cindy Quade
Signature One Realty Grp, LLC
(518) 767-7525
209 Total Sales
1 in Mansion Area
$260,000 Price
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Susan Sommers
Susan Sommers
Howard Hanna Capital Inc
(518) 730-7518
54 Total Sales
1 in Mansion Area
$220,000 Price
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Jillian Breck
Jillian Breck
Responds QuicklyHoward Hanna Capital Inc
(518) 635-6312
188 Total Sales
1 in Mansion Area
$197,500 Price
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Jordan Brustle
Jordan Brustle
Responds QuicklyKW Platform
(518) 720-6934
91 Total Sales
1 in Mansion Area
$113,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 6th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Philip Street Park
- Basketball
Bleeker Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Lincoln Park
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Pool
Washington Park
Corning City Preserve
- Bike Trails
- Boating
- Trails
Riverfront Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Bike Trails
Franklin St. Park
- Playground
- Multi-Purpose Field
SUNY Plaza Park
- Trails
- Parking Lot
Elizabeth Street Park
- Basketball
- Playground
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Mansion Area | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 8 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 8 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 9 | 4 |
| Robbery | 10 | 4 |
| Burglary | 9 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 8 | 4 |
| Larceny | 9 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 9 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Mansion Area Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mansion Area, Albany sell after 99 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Mansion Area, Albany over the last 12 months is $434,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$459,999
Median Sale Price
$434,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$506,900
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$430,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
6%
Last 12 months Home Sales
22
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
10%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$254
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
116
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1870
Months of Supply
1.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,029
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,733
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,680
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,178
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,887
Median Age
32
Population Density
38 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.2%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$50,585
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$75,420
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.3%
College Graduates
45.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.1%
% Population in Labor Force
72.4%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
42''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
50
/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
90
/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
70
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Downtown Albany
Albany neighborhood between Empire State Plaza and the Hudson River
Second Avenue
Residential streets branching off of two main roads on the Albany outskirts
Sheridan Hollow
Residents find comfort and affordability with proximity to downtown Albany
South End
An up-and-coming neighborhood along the Hudson River
Arbor Hill
Urban area popular among investors with local park, frequent community events
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