On the Market: Homes With a Surprising History

When searching for a new home or apartment, buyers may be surprised to know that their new property has more than impeccable decor or stunning nature trails. From the renovations they’ve undergone, to the people who made them legendary, each of the homes below has a history that adds to their already-distinct character. Manhattan 250 West 10th Street Price: $8,980,000 4 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms This notable West Village property was previously owned by Vietnam veteran John Stanley Wojtowicz and his wife, Liz Eden, a pre-operation transsexual. The couple was involved in a failed bank heist in December of 1971 that ended up being featured in a human-interest photospread by Life Magazine , “The Boys in the Bank.” In the second half of the century, during the height of the Gay Rights Movement, the property also became a gay rooming house with the tongue-in-cheek nickname “Boystown.” Palm Beach 117 El Mirasol Price: $7,200,000 4 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms Designed by architect Addison Mizner for financier Edward T. Stotesbury, El Mirasol is a perfect tribute to the excesses of the Roaring Twenties. Completed in 1919, the 37-room Spanish Colonial Revival and its surrounding land were improved and expanded upon numerous times. The property eventually comprised of two full blocks, spanning from the ocean to the Intracoastal. Demolished in the 1950s, the remaining wall and landmarked arch became the focal point of a brand new structure, done in the Mediterranean style. The estate retains a reserved right-of-way to the beach along with a pool and a guest house with kitchen. Hamptons 64 Union Street Price: $1,650,000 2 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms This rare 325-year-old house is on the market in Sag Harbor. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home was built in 1693 and is one of the oldest still standing in the Hamptons. It was moved five times before finally settling at its location at 64 Union Street. Still intact are a number of original details, including exposed beams and wide-plank wood floors, perfect for those who are looking to own a true piece of history. Long Island 222 Cleft Rd. Price: $30,000,000 16 Bedrooms | 12 Bathrooms | 3 Half Bathrooms Built in 1930, the “Laurel Hill” estate was constructed for American oil industry pioneer Charles Pratt.  It was later acquired by Abby Rockefeller Mauzé, the granddaughter of American oil industry magnate John D. Rockefeller, who was a colleague of the original owner. Comprising 56 prime acres on Long Island’s Gold Coast, the estate includes a 10,000-square-foot baronial, Coltwolds-style Tudor manor house along with a cottage, a carriage house and a pool house.  Wrought-iron gates (created onsite) and a half-mile-long, tree-lined driveway lead to the stunningly landscaped property featuring gardens and nature trails. Find your next piece of history today.