North Castle Township is pastoral, yet close to residents' necessities
North Castle Township blends modern amenities with a pastoral environment. The Westchester County region’s countryside areas sit on either side of Armonk, its largest hamlet and the home of IBM’s headquarters. Within those woodsy sections are smaller hamlets and pockets of restaurants and businesses. It’s also close enough to New York City for residents to commute. Harriet Libov, an associate real estate broker with Houlihan Lawrence Inc., says the area attracts people looking for more land and privacy without sacrificing convenience. “It’s a great option for [its] distance from the city... and quality of life.”
Upscale Colonial Revival and New Traditional homes surrounded by trees
The surrounding region is filled with forests. Various architectural styles, including Colonial Revival, contemporary and New Traditional, make the region's housing stock visually diverse. More than half of the houses are 4,000 square feet or larger; these can range from $1.5 million to $4.3 million. Smaller homes often run from $760,000 to $2 million. Yards vary significantly by size and location; some are mostly grass, while others are filled with trees, bushes and other plants. Outside of hamlets like Banksville, streets can be narrow, and it is common for houses to sit far off the road thanks to a long driveway. Sidewalks are rare in the car-dependent community.
The area's multiple school districts get high marks from Niche
Many area students are zoned for Byram Hills Central School District, which holds an overall A-plus Niche grade. Students in kindergarten through second grade can attend Coman Hill School, which earns an individual B-plus score. Wampus Elementary School, for grades 3-5, collects an A rating, while H.C. Crittenden Middle School gets an A-plus. Byram Hills High School offers extracurricular activities like The Canvas, a student-run literary publication, and the eNable Club, which partners with Blythedale Hospital and Makers Making Change, a nonprofit, to create 3D-printed medical devices like prosthetic hands for people in need. The school receives an A rating.
The Bedford Central School District, which has an A grade, serves students in the region's east. Select students to the west, near North White Plains, may be zoned for the Valhalla Union Free School District or the Mount Pleasant Central School District, both of which earn an A score. The private Rippowam Cisqua School, around 8 miles away, also holds an A rating.
Fish at Wampus Pond Park or attend a concert at Kensico Dam Plaza
Wampus Pond Park allows for boating and fishing, with anglers able to catch bass, bluegill and pickerel. Armonk’s John A. Lombardi Park features tennis and basketball courts, baseball diamonds, a pavilion and a playground. Cranberry Lake Preserve is a bird sanctuary with hiking trails that pass waterfalls, ponds and a climbable stone quarry. Nearby, Kensico Dam Plaza contains The Rising, the county’s 9/11 memorial. It also hosts concerts and cultural events. The Summit Club at Armonk has a private 18-hole golf course.
Restaurants serve international cuisines and grocery stores are nearby
In Banksville, La Cre´maille`re serves traditional French dishes like escargot and foie gras. Residents can head into Armonk for other dining options like The Beehive, which serves upscale American and Mediterranean fare in a casual setting. Koku serves Asian fusion cuisine. The rustic Moderne Barn’s menu carries influences from across the globe; it also operates a gourmet market with cheeses, oils and pastas. Nearby Bedford has a DeCicco & Sons grocery, and Chappaqua, less than 10 miles away, is home to a Whole Foods Market. Armonk has a CVS for essentials.
Access to Interstate 684 and a commutable drive to Manhattan
Interstate 684 curves through the community, as does New York state Route 22. The community is about 35 miles from Manhattan. Commuters should be prepared for traffic at any point during the trip. “You never know where you’re going to get backed up,” Libov says. Westchester County Airport is close to a 7-mile drive, and Westchester Medical Center is roughly 10 miles away. The county's Bee-Line Bus makes multiple stops in Armonk and the western section of North Castle Township, taking riders into White Plains. Libov says snowstorms usually impact the community each winter, but roads are typically cleared quickly.
Celebrate Frosty the Snowman or sample the community's Chili Cook-Off
Armonk holds its Summer Concert at the Gazebo series at Wampus Brook Park and a fall Chili Cook-off at Armonk Square. The hamlet is the birthplace of Frosty the Snowman, and each Sunday after Thanksgiving, the community throws a Frosty Day celebration in his honor, complete with family activities, a tree-lighting ceremony and a parade.
![Jerome Strauss]()
Photography Contributed By
Jerome Strauss
