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HIDDEN NO MORE. If you can lead a horse to water, lead it to Hidden Pond at Old Westbury — an in-progress Old Westbury development of 16 custom homes in a gated subdivision on two-acre lots created from the old Francis “Skiddy” Von Stade Sr. estate.
Anyone with equine-imity will recognize the name as that of the bristle-importer who became a champion polo player, a steward of the Jockey Club, president of the Saratoga Association and founder of the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs. He was, as well, the mayor of Old Westbury from 1940 to 1950.
After his death in 1967, the estate was purchased by the Entenmann family, and later, says Keven Wandy, director of sales and marketing for the Hempstead-based developer Stewart Senter Inc., it went to the Solomon Schechter Day School Association.
Hidden Pond eventually went to the investment firm M West Holdings, which now promises to build a horse-lover’s dream locale. Located in the sought-after Jericho School District close by the Old Westbury Equestrian Center, the Glen Oaks Club and the Old Westbury Golf & Country Club, Hidden Pond has a pond — two acres, with fish and two water plumes. At the moment, it has a sales center where, says Wandy, plans from six to ten architects are available as springboards for each custom home. The lots, he says, run from $1.3 million to $1.7 million each. Above that, the homes would cost $1.5 million to $3 million. -- Frank Lovece
A mere 22 miles from Manhattan, the property features a private access road with a picturesque pond at the entrance in an area with extensive riding trails and preserves. The subdivision evokes a tranquil and secluded feel and has been carefully planned to retain the natural features, whilst maximizing potential development.
According to the builder Mr. Senter: "This magnificent development offers one the opportunity to select a prime building site and work directly with some of Long Island's top architects. You can then create your one-of-a-kind residence. This unique opportunity affords you the chance to create a residence commensurate with your lifestyle."
For information regarding this community contact:
 The Francis Skiddy Von Stade Sr. estate designed by Cross & Cross c. 1914 in Old Westbury. Skiddy was a member of F.S. Von Stade Co., importers of bristles, but was better known for his equine activities. A polo player in his youth, he was a member of the 1912 and 1913 Cooperstown team that won the Open Championship and played with the Meadowbrook team that won the Open Championship in 1919 and 1920. He was rated at six goals in 1922. Von Stade was a steward of the Jockey Club, was president of the Saratoga Association before NYRA took over the Saratoga track and was a founder and executive vice president of the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs. He was also a charter member of the Grayson Foundation which was involved with equine disease research. He married Kathryn N. Steele, daughter of Charles Steele who owned the former Lanier estate next door. He was also mayor of Old Westbury from 1940 to 1950 and remained a trustee until his death in 1967. The estate was later owned by the Entenmann family and eventually became a dilapidated, abandoned wreck of a house. After sitting on the market for a number of years the property was finally purchased to be subdivided and the main house set to be razed. That work is currently underway. Click HERE to see the Von Stade estate on google earth and HERE on bing. Pictures of the house pre-demolition will be posted soon (as will the c. 1930 alterations by Peabody, Wilson & Brown).
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The Francis Skiddy Von Stade Sr. estate designed by Cross & Cross c. 1914 in Old Westbury. Skiddy was a member of F.S. Von Stade Co., importers of bristles, but was better known for his equine activities. A polo player in his youth, he was a member of the 1912 and 1913 Cooperstown team that won the Open Championship and played with the Meadowbrook team that won the Open Championship in 1919 and 1920. He was rated at six goals in 1922. Von Stade was a steward of the Jockey Club, was president of the Saratoga Association before NYRA took over the Saratoga track and was a founder and executive vice president of the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs. He was also a charter member of the Grayson Foundation which was involved with equine disease research. He married Kathryn N. Steele, daughter of Charles Steele who owned the former Lanier estate next door. He was also mayor of Old Westbury from 1940 to 1950 and remained a trustee until his death in 1967. The estate was later owned by the Entenmann family and eventually became a dilapidated, abandoned wreck of a house. After sitting on the market for a number of years the property was finally purchased to be subdivided and the main house set to be razed. That work is currently underway. Click HERE to see the Von Stade estate on google earth and HERE on bing. Pictures of the house pre-demolition will be posted soon (as will the c. 1930 alterations by Peabody, Wilson & Brown).
