Former Life: In 1896, the Village of Tarrytown tore down an old stone house that had inspired a scene in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. A school went up in its place, on a grassy knoll overlooking the Village. Called the Washington Irving School, the magnificent brick-and-terra-cotta structure had an Elizabethan façade with four gables and a Tudor porch. In 1926, a larger school took the Washington Irving name, and this one became the F. R. Pierson School, after a local florist and Village president. It was closed altogether in 1979 as new schools were built.
New Life: Four years later, an Italian architect and developer named Rosaria Piomelli bought the school for $400,000 and converted it to 39 luxury apartments. Each classroom became a two-bedroom apartment and the auditorium was turned into five two-story apartments. The building sports new windows, custom-made to historic specifications.
Amenities: Parking, washer/dryer in each unit, Hudson River views.
To Buy: A two-bedroom, two-bath duplex is listed for $487,000.
