Chelsea Clinton Wedding News: Hudson River

Showing posts with label Hudson River. Show all posts

!!! Selling price for Astor Court upped

8:40 PM

December

RHINEBECK – Before Chelsea Clinton’s wedding was held at Astor Court in Rhinebeck, the palatial estate built in 1902-1904, was on the block for sale for $12 million.

Now, two weeks after the wedding of the century that drew public officials and notables to watch Chelsea wed Marc Mezvinsky, the facility, which was inspired by the Grand Trianon at Versailles, is back on the market for $13.5 million.

The realtor handling the property, Harry Hill III of Rhinebeck, did not return a phone call for comment. But, the H.H. Hill Realty Services, Inc. website lists Astor Court as: “Located on 50 secluded, pastoral acres, this classical pavilion-style home offers panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains and 2000 feet of river frontage – and, it has a Letter of Patent from New York State guaranteeing access to the Hudson River in perpetuity.”

According to the website, the structure, also known as Astor Casino or Ferncliff Casino, was originally built as a sporting pavilion with indoor tennis court, swimming pool, squash courts on the main level and a bowling alley on the lower level.

In 1941, the building was converted to a residence.

“The current owners have completed a scrupulous renovation of the structure back to its original plans,” according to the website. The owners were not identified.

Posted in Astor Court, Catskill Mountains, Chelsea Clinton, Grand Trianon, Harry Hill, Hudson River, New York, Tennis court

Chelsea Clinton's wedding helps to sell expensive real estate

1:14 PM

December

The ink has barely dried on Chelsea Clinton's marriage license, but already her lavish wedding is being used as a marketing tool to attract some of world's wealthiest consumers.

Astor Court Estate, the tony Rhinebeck, N.Y. manor where Clinton wed investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, is back on the market with a splashy new ad this weekend in the "House and Home" section of the "Financial Times," a British newspaper that caters to some of the planet's most sophisticated money men.

The ad, which occupies page 6, is headlined "Historic Estate Now on the Market -- Home of Recent Celebrity Wedding," a claim the house couldn't have made just 10 days ago.

Celebs notwithstanding, the sale itself is hardly breaking news: Astor Court was listed for a cool $12 million last October. It was only in early July that owner Katherine Hammer took the house off the market so that security and staff could prepare for the Clinton wedding.

The 30,000 square foot mansion is situated on 50 manicured acres overlooking the Hudson River. The laundry list of amenities includes an indoor pool, indoor tennis court, and 3,000 square feet of "staff quarters."

Little surprise, then, that on July 31 the house easily accommodated more than 400 guests hosted by the bride's parents, President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In addition to party goers, a small army of caterers, florists, valets, and groundskeepers was brought in for the day.

It's safe to assume real estate agents will be dropping the wedding's celebrity names for the foreseeable future, including Barbra Streisand, Oprah Winfrey, and director Steven Spielberg.

Posted in Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, expensive, Hudson River, real estate, Wedding

Chelsea Wedding Has Town Atwitter

7:53 AM

December

The only thing more apparent than the charm in Rhinebeck, a town tucked away about 100 miles north of New York City, is the chatter.

People on the outside may be skeptical, but Rhinebeck residents are preparing for a royal wedding. They are convinced this quaint town of 4,600 will host Chelsea Clinton's nuptials.

Jim Langan, the editor of the Hudson Valley News, said he had no doubt that it is happening in Rhinebeck.

"Anyone who says it isn't happening here is dead wrong," he said. The former first daughter and her fiancé, Marc Mezvinsky, are expected to tie the knot July 31.

"This is a small town and we have more moles here than a vegetable garden," Langan said. According to his sources, Clinton and Mezvinsky will say their "I dos" at the 50-acre Astor Courts on the Hudson River.

The guest list allegedly includes President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Barbara Streisand.

Speculation is that the rehearsal dinner will take place at a stone barn near town called Grasmere.

While ABC News shot video of it, the crew was escorted off the property by police and then told their information would be given to the Secret Service.

If it is a rouse just to throw people off, it's an expensive one. Several area inns are booked, including The Beekman Arms Inn, where a plaque on the wall boasts the father and mother of the

Posted in Barack Obama, Chelsea Clinton, Hudson River, Hudson Valley, New York, Oprah Winfrey, President, Steven Spielberg

Clinton wedding frenzy begins in Newyork Town.

11:30 AM

December

Chelsea Clinton's guest list will swell Saturday, as uninvited onlookers try to catch a glimpse of her celebrity attendees and take part in the celebration in their own ways.

The daughter of the former president and the current secretary of state is set to say "I do" Saturday afternoon or evening at Astor Courts, a private Rhinebeck estate neighboring the Hudson River.

Signs of the event began to pop up Saturday morning in the village and as the day wore on, the pace picked up.

Three black Lincolns were parked outside the Delamater Inn with the drivers dressed to the nines. And clerk Gianny Andreini at the Rhinebeck Smoke Shop said he sold a couple of $30 top-of-the-line cigars Friday night, which is something that doesn't happen every day.

STORY: Wedding to be a quiet affair

THE BILL: Tab could hit $3M

PHOTOS: Chelsea Clinton through the years

Clinton's nuptials to Marc Mezvinsky are expected to cause road closures and possible traffic delays as media outlets from as far away as Australia and spectators flock to sites where guests were seen checking into Friday — mainly the Beekman Arms and Delamater Inn.

As hundreds of reception attendees sip cocktails Saturday, the weather is expected to be in the low 80s, dry with low humidity.

Chances of viewing the bride on her big day are slim to none. Security will keep Astor Courts on lockdown and gawkers at bay.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed local airspace would be closed temporarily (for aircraft flying under 2,000 feet) while boating on the Hudson will not be restricted, but police will be patrolling, Kranik said.

The main intersection in Rhinebeck, known as the "four corners," resembled something of a block party Friday, as camera-armed people waited and waited to snap a shot of a celebrity.

Perhaps the most famous of all guests, the father of the bride, Bill Clinton, created a small frenzy in the afternoon as he strolled down Montgomery Street into Gigi Trattoria for lunch.

The atmosphere was buoyant even after Clinton was last seen getting into his Secret Service escort vehicle around 2 p.m. To add to the festivities, men wore Bill Clinton masks and others held signs that read, "Seat me at Oprah's table."

Businesses had their part. The A.L. Stickle variety storefront was decorated with kissing stuffed animals — one wore a veil.

The Rug Garden held a champagne-and-cake reception for the less fortunate who didn't get their Clinton-Mezvinsky invites, while the store's owner, Deborah Belding, blew noisemakers.

"We're having our own party," she announced. "We weren't invited."

Shortly after, The police shut down her street celebration.

Retiree Ray Green of Staatsburg lounged in a folding chair, hoping to see Oprah. His companion, Joan Tallman, said she saw "girls Chelsea's age going into the Beekman Arms carrying dresses."

Bittersweet Bed and Breakfast owner Edith Thomas said she's was expecting "a mix of actors and politicians" who are attending the wedding to check in at 3:30 p.m.

Earlier Friday morning, Clinton's event staff dropped off "very fancy, gorgeous baskets" for each guest.

Around 4 p.m., a white SUV limousine followed by a black stretch limousine drove by the Beekman Arms as a speculator shouted out, "That's her. That's Oprah." Around the same time, workers secured the Beekman Arms' front entrance and lawn with a white fence. Secret Service members popped in and out throughout the day.