Peekskill

The New York neighborhood of Peekskill has a colorful past and a bright future. The Peekskill Chemical Company, founded in 1864 by Joseph Binney in Peekskill, is linked to the Binney & Smith Company. That company is now named Crayola LLC. — the crayons kids use to color outside the lines. The community also has grit and star power: Actors Mel Gibson, Paul Reubens, aka Pee-wee Herman and Jackie Gleason all resided in the former industrial town, which went through an era of decline and is now a vibrant suburb of New York City. The 1980s sitcom “The Facts of Life” is based on a now-defunct all-girls boarding school in the community. “Peekskill was declining for a period,” says Realtor Bobby Villone of RE/MAX Classic Realty. “Now it’s making a comeback.”

Residents in the area enjoy the spectacular vistas of the Hudson River, its rich history dating back to 1816 and convenient commute to Manhattan. “The best part of Peekskill is the downtown area and the commute to New York City,” Villone says. The Big Apple is about an hour-long train ride from the Peekskill station. Those who choose to drive to New York City, which is 41 miles away, can expect a commute of 45 to 90 minutes. The Bee-Line Bus System provides local public transportation.

Housing styles in Peekskill include older colonials and princess colonials, some dating back to the 1800s, Tudor-style homes, condos and co-ops. Housing prices range from $115,000 to $1 million, and the average home value is $475,000. Median lot sizes are 11,000 square feet. Nearly 60% of residents own their home. Villone says many residents value living as close to the Peekskill station as possible.

Kids in Peekskill attend schools in the Peekskill City School District with a C-minus grade from Niche. The pipeline starts at Hillcrest Elementary School, rated a C-minus. Peekskill Middle School has a 10-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio and Niche ranks the school a C. Peekskill High School, known for its dramatic arts program, has a C rating. Villone says many of the schools are within walking distance from the neighborhood.

There are nearly 10 parks in Peekskill. Riverfront Green Park, Annsville Preserve Park and Fleischmann Pier all offer stunning views of the Hudson River. The 1,500-acre Blue Mountain Park provides opportunities to hike Mt. Spitzenberg and Blue Mountain, mountain bike, fish or enjoy nature.

The Abbey Inn & Spa, which overlooks the Hudson River, was formerly the Episcopal Sisters of Saint Mary’s convent. Locals and visitors flock to the Abbey for special events, relax in luxury or enjoy a meal at Apropos Restaurant & Bar, a farm-to-table, Michelin Guide-recommended eatery. For a more casual dinner, the Taco Dive Bar is where patrons can choose from 10 different styles of tacos. Locals can grab a chicken salad wrap or a liverwurst hero at Baisley’s Deli on Hudson Avenue.

Downtown Peekskill is home to the community’s farmers market, flea markets and the Paramount Theatre, a popular destination for live music and performing arts. “Downtown is very walkable — not Manhattan walkable, but still walkable,” Villone says. Downtown is also where residents can find local shops and restaurants. Peekskill Historic Waterfront lets visitors view street art exhibitions and sculpture gardens and peruse the many storefronts and cafes. The waterfront is also home to the Lincoln Depot Museum and the Peekskill Yacht Club. Shopping in the community is done at the Beach Shopping Center, which includes a Stop & Shop, Advance Auto and several other stores and restaurants.

Written By

Tina Davis

Photography Contributed By

Deawell Adair