Castle by the Lake

About this property

Morning light pours through stained glass onto reclaimed red oak floors in Lake Peekskill, while outside, crenelated stone walls rise from a rocky hillside above the lake. The house went up in 1935, and it pairs that old-world character with modern comforts.

Every corner turns up another detail: exposed beams, a watchful gargoyle, a nook to curl into with a book from the shelves. Four bedrooms and a bath and a half give a big group room to spread out, and the upstairs king and queen rooms each glow with an electric fireplace. The full kitchen handles a long dinner for a crowd, and the dining table stays busy with board games and themed feasts late into the night.

Outside, two private acres fall away in tiers, each level with its own seating, so coffee happens on one deck and evening drinks on another. After dark, everyone gathers around the gas fire pit. On the Fourth of July, fireworks light the sky from several spots on the property.

A private beach is within walking distance, and hiking trails are a short drive off. Cold Spring is about 25 minutes away, and Sleepy Hollow is close enough for an autumn evening of legends. Then it's back up the hill, where the lake catches the last light below the old stone walls.