Buffalo real estate gurus Timothy Sick and Sal Zambito II have outdone themselves once again. This time, they’re building out an exquisite home for themselves, which they say they will live in “at least for a while”. That’s because Tim and Sal are always on the hunt for the next best property, to upgrade into a palatial residence or a tiny home. One thing is for sure, these two are always keeping me guessing – each one of their projects is far removed from any other example in their portfolio (see more from Tim and Sal here, and here, and here).
This time, Tim and Sal have taken a carriage house (circa 1890) on Linwood and pretty much gutted it. Actually, the former owner did most of the gutting, while adding on a couple of additions. It turns out however, that halfway through the project she gave up and sold the place. Sal told me that he and Tim had been trying to acquire the property for three years, so they jumped on it immediately when it came back on the market.
The exterior of 419 Linwood is pretty wild. There is a concrete retaining wall that wraps around the entire carriage house – the turret part of the house is an addition from the previous owner. The retaining wall, or “moat” as Sal calls it [laughing], plays off the castle-esque appearance of the turreted dining room (below) and bedroom (above). The top of the “moat” will be a giant patio, with a pergola (Lexan glass cover) on one side, a barbecue gas grill, and a fire pit. To the left of the house is a one story structure that is being rehabbed to serve as a two car garage (front half), with a club house (behind). There are plenty of trees, and a garden – it almost feels as if it’s in the country it’s so spacious. In the front of the house (they hope), there will one day be an iron gate with giant dragons that breath actual fire (inspired by FLW’s Taliesin), along with an 11 foot wide fountain. The exterior of the house already has gas (fire) lanterns, keeping in line with the medieval charm.
The interior of the house is pretty stunning as well, though in a much different light. Everything is bright and cheery with woods that tend to stay on the blonder side of the color spectrum. There’s a wonderful old sign fashioned above the entranceway of the downstairs bedroom – rumor has it that is came front the 13th floor of the Genesee Building in downtown Buffalo. The colorful box windows (now thermal paned) came from a historic home on Humboldt Parkway.
Once complete, the house will boast radiant heating, three gas and one wood burning stove/fireplaces. There’s even a small wall unit fireplace above the bathtub.
A private breakfast patio is in back, with hot tub on order.
The entire second floor is a sprawling master bedroom with 68 custom hand built cabinets (clear maple – all with dovetailing). The windows will have built-in seats that second as cedar chests. There are aviator fans in just about every room. The upstairs bathroom is the size of a small bedroom. There are vaulted ceilings upstairs, with a wood-lined turreted ceiling.
When outfitted with furnishings, they will be Amish (hewn wood) in nature. More iron sconces and chandeliers will be incorporated, as finishing touches commence.
In the end, this place is going to be one of the more interesting and entertaining places in Buffalo. That’s a good thing, because Tim and Sal have already had a Halloween party to break the place in. This house was made for entertaining. It was also made for gardening, hot tubbing, cooking, relaxing, and anything else that makes people happy when at home.
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