NYC’s delightful ‘Pumpkin House’ is back, wants $4.25M

The Hudson Heights home cantilevers off a cliffside

It's been a while since we've heard any peeps (or should we say spooky utterances?) from Hudson Heights's jack o'lantern-esque Pumpkin House, which has been the subject of much real estate fascination over the years. At various points, it's been on and off the market; possibly getting a tall tower topper; and made an appearance on the short-lived, not-so-much-missed series Selling New York.

And as of this week, the oddball home, perched atop a cliff overlooking the Hudson River and the Palisades, is back on the market after a brief absence; it's now listed with Randy Lombard of Sotheby's for a cool $4.25 million. (That's a slight pricechop from its previous listing, up for more than a year and asking $1 million more.)

The unusual residence was built in 1925 for Cleveland Walcutt, an engineer, and has only changed hands a few times since then. Its current owner, decorator William Spink, bought the house in 2000 for $1 million, and has made some improvements—a new roof, updating the facade—in his time in the place.

It's currently configured as a two-family home, with a one-bedroom apartment on the lower level and an owner's duplex (plus a roof terrace) above. It comes with some of its original details, including a huge marble mantel in the living room, that lend it plenty of historic character. (Some of its rooms could probably use an update, though.)

There's also a lovely little hidden garden on the grounds, and predictably gorgeous Hudson River views from its floor-to-ceiling windows, which lend the home its distinctive pumpkin-like facade. It would likely need some work, but for $4.25 million, it could be a truly unique little place.

• Listing: 16 Chittenden Avenue [Sotheby's]