Sean B Nutley and Hudson Modern Realty listing 1883 Main Street in Ulster Park, NY

Hudson Valley Living: 1876 Architectural Gem and Creative Haven

By inside + out | December 10, 2023

Behold The Rifton–an enchanting 1876 reimagined stone home bridges Kingston and New Paltz within Rifton’s serene hamlet. This architectural gem, once a church, town hall, and duck farm, now stands majestically, embodying community spirit in its sprawling 6,000 square foot, meticulously restored oasis.

INSIDE | 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 4,046 Square Feet

The Rifton marries wabi-sabi modernism with historical echoes, flaunting exposed beams, bedrock ledges, original stone walls, pine floors, and antique doors wearing a patina of ages. A gravel path leads to a verdant canopy-shrouded entrance, revealing a vestibule of bedrock and terrazzo with a hidden storage cave and a bright, welcoming mudroom.

Inside, 7-foot tall windows illuminate the living room and kitchen, showcasing reclaimed wood stairs and hand-hewn beams. The ground level cradles three tranquil bedrooms, including a primary suite with a glass shower set against natural bedrock and two guest rooms complemented by a bespoke 5-piece concrete bathroom.

Ascend to the former church, now a once-in-a-lifetime entertaining space with massive 30ft ceilings and an epic, Game-of-Thrones stone and steel firepit as its centerpiece. Thirty-two original windows and vast glass doors frame nature’s canvas, opening to a spacious deck soaring over the landscape.

Above it all, a lofted fourth bedroom, a full bath, and a private entrance to “The Tower” — a five-story, stone and steel atelier — complete this artistic haven. With its own entrance, this fully separated section lends itself to a creative’s studio, private gallery, gym, offices, shop or workshop — or rent it for year-round income while maintaining the residence independently.

OUTSIDE | 0.5 Acres

The Rifton’s grounds are a tapestry of stone pathways and wild gardens, evoking centuries-old enchantment. Perennial blooms frame views of the stone edifice with vivid blue touches, conjuring a Tuscany-like paradise just ten minutes from the two urban hubs. Its unique four levels, including the lower garden residence with a grand fireplace, a mid-level workshop, a loft with an indoor circular stone fire pit, and a bell tower, invite boundless creativity.