For the first time in over 30 years, a rare opportunity awaits in Van Cortlandt Village. Welcome to 3811 Orloff Avenue.
Situated within the Van Cortlandt Park Historic District, this distinguished home has been lovingly maintained and tastefully updated over the last 30 years by the same owners living on site, maximizing the use of its traditional layout, all while keeping the timeless details intact. As one of the neighborhood's historic anchors, 3811 Orloff Avenue is more than a home; it's a piece of Bronx history ready to welcome its next chapter.
As soon as you enter the home, you won't be able to ignore the stunning original hardwood floors that have been beautifully retained throughout the entire home. To the left sits the spacious dining room which has four large and bright south facing windows that, when combined with a fifth west-facing window, bathe this grand entertaining space in sunlight year-round.
The kitchen, with its westward window, gets fantastic direct afternoon and evening sunlight. Designed for function and flow, this kitchen is large enough for multiple cooks to contribute to any meal. Sleek stainless-steel appliances, a gas stove with range hood exhausting to the exterior, and a recently replaced dishwasher (2024), provide a contemporary contrast to the abundance of classic wooden cabinetry, blending style and craftsmanship throughout.
Opposite the dining room sits a lavish living room with six windows and the original wood-burning fire place. The windows face north and south and maintain light all day long, making this space inviting for guests, all while taking advantage of the outside gardens and trees perfectly setting the mood for an afternoon with a favorite book and a cup of tea.
But there is more. Past the living room is a bonus sitting room with triple exposure, including a massive window bay that overlooks the garden and leafy green Orloff Avenue. Conceived as a sunroom, this area makes a perfect office or study. It is not a space found in most houses and is a great example of the special details that set this home apart. The six windows in the room encourage you to spend an afternoon in this urban sanctuary, enjoying the light and relaxing in the breeze. Double sets of original French doors join this room to the living room. Original French doors also grace the entry, leading into the living room and dining room.
There is a charming tiled half-bathroom conveniently located just off the hallway on this floor. It is perfect for guests and saves a trip upstairs.
Upstairs sit three bedrooms. The primary bedroom is currently used as an office/studio and is a hallmark to an earlier era with two original chandelier light fixtures. Large enough to easily fit a king, the room features a welcoming walk-in closet, three south-facing windows, a functioning sink as well as a private windowed study that has its origins as a sleeping porch. While easily separated into two bedrooms, if kept in its current configuration, this space serves as an outstanding primary bedroom and could hold a multitude of furniture and still be spacious enough for a desk or sitting area.
The second bedroom is also quite large and could easily fit a queen-size bed. It has south and east-facing windows and its own walk-in closet. This is another bedroom spacious enough to comfortably fit furniture.
The third bedroom with double exposure and its own closet could also serve as a great office or media room with its built-in desk.
The tiled and windowed bathroom takes in northern light and has storage in an adjacent closet.
The hall on the second floor has two closets total, one is a perfect linen closet, and the attic above boasts flooring and wooden shelving units already installed throughout, expanding storage even further.
Below the main floor is a large, full-sized, dry basement with two large rooms. The first would make a great studio, gym or media room. The second room contains a mechanical room as well as the washer/dryer, a refrigerator and a sink. The gas hot water heater was recently installed in 2023.
The roof was redone in 2018 and all the windows have been replaced with double-glazed units. Although the residence has served as a single-unit house for many decades, it was originally constructed as a multi-family dwelling, and there is historical precedent for its use as two separate units.
The one-car garage, with a French drain beneath it, has a pull-down gate and the driveway can easily fit two additional vehicles. In this neighborhood, parking comes at a premium and you will be very happy with the peace of mind that comes with having your own parking spaces.
The yard wraps around the whole house. Currently there are gardens in the front and on one side, with the other side holding a lovely sitting area shaded by a majestic Sweetgum tree, perfect for grilling and enjoying the evening with friends. From this quiet refuge it seems hard to believe you are still in New York City, but the subway is only a 6-minute walk from here.
Just four blocks from the 1 train at 238th Street and two blocks to the express bus to Manhattan, this neighborhood has so much to offer. Van Cortlandt and Fort Independence Parks are chock full of green space and activities including trails, golf courses, ball fields, numerous playgrounds and more. This isn't an accident as Van Cortlandt Village is one of the few streetscapes in the entire city that retains its original layout crafted by Frederick Law Olmsted, the legendary architect behind Central Park and Prospect Park. The curvy hills and leafy blocks among the step-streets retain a charm that is rare anywhere in the city today, let alone in The Bronx.
But it's not all bike trails and dog runs... This house is mere blocks from Lehman College, Manhattan College, and quick trip to Fordham University. The Bronx Ale House and Kingsbridge Social Club are just around the corner, as is local favorite Bronx Public with great food and a fantastic bar. The newly built Riverdale Crossing off 238th St. brings a BJ's to your fingertips. The two-story rebuild of the Van Cortlandt NYPL recently opened in 2019 with great fanfare, just around the corner from 3811 Orloff.. And of course, the NYC essentials: S&S Cheesecake and Lloyd's Carrot Cake bakeries will literally swell you up with Bronx Pride.
Houses like this do not come to market even once a decade. Come see this classic and discover the very best that Van Cortlandt Village has to offer.
