[IMGCAP(1)]Over Thanksgiving weekend, my husband, my daughter and I went back East to visit some family in the New York Hudson Valley area. On one of our more interesting-and more beautiful I might add-excursions, we walked across the "rail trail," which is essentially a large pedestrian bridge that crosses over the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie.
Although the view looking up and down the river was quite beautiful on the rather dreary day, to get over my fear of heights, I focused on the real estate on either side of the bridge. On one side of the bridge stood what looked like Vanderbilt mansions and giant estates. On the other side, closest to us, stood run-down houses and abandoned warehouses.
I found myself continuously saying (out loud) that we should just buy one of those abandoned buildings as our home. As ridiculous as I know it sounded, and as far-fetched an idea as it was, I wondered why others haven't snagged up all the abandoned buildings in the area. And it isn't just Poughkeepsie.
There are many such properties right outside of New York City. As I gazed at the rundown homes and warehouses, I wondered if revamping those buildings into swanky art studio/loft/living spaces in killer locations just an opportunity waiting to happen not to mention a phenomenal way to revitalize the community.
I realize, of course, that redeveloping these old buildings can be daunting for a host of reasons, not the least of which, in today's economy, is financing. But a dream of mine would be to bring all of those ghosts of real estate back to life, which has already been done in some cases. In Beacon for example (not far from the river walk) an abandoned factory on the Hudson River has been transformed into an art museum by the Dia Art Foundation. And in Syracuse-where I attended school-the historic Franklin Square's many abandoned factories and other buildings have been converted into a mix of apartments, office space, and neighborhood shops and restaurants.
Along with all of the practical considerations involved in restoring or redeveloping these old buildings, I know the reason there are so many of these perfect opportunities still left just waiting to happen is that it takes some serious vision and persistence to actually make it happen. But why not just try and take it one step at a time and return all those abandoned buildings to useful service? It would be a boost for the community, and it would make an already beautiful river walk even more enjoyable.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
