Williston Park's shopping district, commute, drawing buyers
Willis Avenue, part of the Village of Williston Park's bustling downtown. Credit: Jeff Bachner
THE SCOOP In the Village of Williston Park, which boasts a downtown bustling with shops, restaurants and community events, homes sell so quickly, they often don’t even hit the market. “People hear that someone wants to sell their house and it’s sold before anyone even knows about it,” says Bob Mitchell, president of the Williston Park Civic Association.
The village keeps residents busy with parades on Memorial Day, July 4 and Halloween, and hosts 9/11 and Veterans Day commemorations as well as Operation Santa Claus.
Once used for hunting and camping by the Matineock Indians, the area was settled in 1675 by Henry Willis, and was soon dubbed Williston for his growing family. It largely retained its rural character until the Long Island Rail Road pulled into town two centuries later.
Homes along Primrose Road. Credit: Jeff Bachner
In 1926, the community east of the railroad became East Williston and to the west it became Williston Park. Purchasing 195 acres in the new village, developer William Chatlos built nearly 1,000 simple two-story wooden houses he called Happiness Homes, many of which are still extant.
Hillside Avenue has many shops and restaurants. Credit: Jeff Bachner
In the early 20th century, the village attracted many police officers, firefighters and teachers who worked in the city and were drawn to the area for its convenient commute by public transportation. The train from East Williston to Penn Station takes about 45 minutes.
“The homes were built without driveways because there were very few cars,” says Mitchell, noting that curb cuts and garages came years later.
The Roger Fay Williston Park Pool in August. Credit: Jeff Bachner
There are two distinct areas in the village, according to Christine Lavelle of Coach Realtors of Willistons: the western section, with Capes and Colonials typically starting at $800,000 and going up to $1.7 million for new construction; and the eastern section, where streets are named for colleges and have many Chatlos Colonials that, when they hit the market, range from $550,000 to $900,000 for a renovated, expanded home.
Hildebrandt's ice cream parlor, which opened on Hillside Avenue in the 1920s, recently got new owners. Credit: Jeff Bachner
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are no condos or co-ops on the market.
SALE PRICES Between Aug. 1, 2021, and Aug. 31, 2022, there were 72 home sales with a median sale price of $775,500, according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $525,000 and the high was $1.588 million. During that period a year earlier there were 73 home sales with a median sale price of $730,000. The price range was $467,500 to $970,000.
SOURCES: 2020 Census; 2020 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
OTHER STATS
Town North Hempstead
Area .63 square miles
ZIP code 11596
Population 7,591
Median age 43
Median household income $120,625
Median home value $805,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from East Willison $243
School districts, graduation rates Mineola (97%) Herricks (98%)
Parks Kelleher Field
Library Williston Park
Hospitals NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island, Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Transit NICE Route 22, 23
NOW ON THE MARKET
Priced at $659,000, this Colonial on Syracuse Street has hardwood floors and an updated kitchen. Credit: Patrick Kwong
$659,000
This 1,116-square-foot 1929 Colonial with an open floor plan has three bedrooms, one bathroom, hardwood floors, natural gas heat and an updated kitchen with quartz counters, new backsplash and stainless steel appliances. The partially fenced-in 0.09-acre property has a cement patio and shed. Taxes are $10,600. Adrian H. Chau, E Realty International Corp, 718-886-8110.
Priced at $620,000, this Colonial on Cornell Street features a finished attic and screened-in porch. Credit: VHT Studios
$620,000
Built in 1927 with three bedrooms and 1½ baths, this 1,248-square-foot Colonial has hardwood floors, a bay window in the dining room, finished attic, and full unfinished basement. The 0.09-acre property, which is partially fenced-in, has a screened-in porch. Taxes are $9,468; a sale is pending. Christine Lavelle, Coach Realtors of Willistons, 516-248-9494.
Priced at $599,000, this Colonial on Syracuse Street is across from the village park and pool. Credit: VHT Studios
$599,000
Situated across from the village park and pool on 0.09 acre, this four bedroom, one bath 1,356-square-foot Colonial has hardwood floors, a partially finished basement, walk-up attic and updated eat-in-kitchen with stainless steel appliances, bathroom and new boiler. Taxes are $11,891. Vivian Zhang, Coldwell Banker American Homes, 516-365-5780.
RECENTLY SOLD
$1.588 million
Center St.
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3½
Built 2017
Lot size 0.14 acre
Taxes $22,470
+/- List price -$292,000
Days on market 186
$952,500
Gordon Dr.
Style Split Level
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2½
Built 1959
Lot size 0.15 acre
Taxes $18,854
+/- List price +$53,500
Days on market 62
$707,000
Cross St.
Style Cape
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2
Built 1948
Lot size 0.09 acre
Taxes $11,115
+/- List price -$43,000
Days on market 153
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 9
Price range $ 549,000 to $1.288 million
Tax range $9,468 to $18,444
