Karibu katika The Magnolia House, nyumba ya mji ya familia moja iliyojengwa kwa matofali mekundu, iliyoko ndani ya Eneo la Kihistoria la Sunnyside Gardens, linalojulikana pia kama jumuiya ya kwanza ya jiji lenye bustani nchini Marekani.

Hii ni wilaya iliyojengwa karibu miaka mia moja iliyopita kwa wazo kwamba ungeweza kuwa na mandhari ya kijani na jumuiya ndani ya NYC. Utalihisi hilo mara tu unapogeukia mtaa huu: barabara zilizo na mistari ya miti ya mkuyu, ua zilizofichika kwa ajili ya wakazi pekee, na mwendo wa maisha uliotulia zaidi ambao bado unakuweka umbali wa dakika kumi na tano kutoka Midtown.

The Magnolia House ina sura yake ya kipekee katika historia hiyo. Ilijengwa mwaka 1940 na awali ilikuwa inamilikiwa na Rothschild; nyumba hii ni mojawapo ya nyumba sita za mji zinazofanana zilizojengwa baada ya eneo hilo kuanzishwa. Zilibuniwa kwa ajili ya kizazi kipya cha familia zilizokuwa na magari, na nyumba hizi zilijengwa tofauti na nyumba nyingine za eneo hilo: nafasi kubwa zaidi za ndani, dari za juu zaidi, na—jambo adimu sana—barabara binafsi ya kuingilia pamoja na gereji yenye nafasi ya magari mawili!

Leo, ingia kwenye barabara hiyo hiyo ya kuingilia, pita kando ya bustani yako na baraza la mbele, kisha uingie katika ghorofa kuu, ambako sebule, chumba cha kulia na jiko vinaungana kwa mtiririko mzuri. Ikiwa na vyumba viwili vya kulala vya ukubwa wa kutosha ghorofani, chumba kimoja cha watoto/ofisi ya nyumbani, na bafu 2.5 kwa ujumla, nyumba hii inatoa nafasi tele ya kupumzika na kufurahia maisha. Chini kuna sehemu ya chini ya nyumba yenye matumizi mbalimbali, pamoja na mashine ya kufulia na kukausha, iliyo tayari kutumika kwa chochote utakachohitaji baadaye—ukumbi wa mazoezi wa nyumbani, chumba cha michezo, sehemu ya ziada ya kuhifadhi vitu; chagua unachopenda.

Nyuma ya nyumba, baada ya baraza zuri la jua, kuna ua wako binafsi ambako The Magnolia House inatimiza jina lake: sehemu tulivu ya mapumziko iliyotiwa kivuli na mti mkubwa na uliokomaa wa magnolia. Kuna nafasi ya kutosha kwa chakula cha jioni cha wazi pamoja na marafiki na alasiri tulivu za kiangazi. Nyumba hiyo pia ina paneli za jua zinazozalisha nishati ya kuendesha nyumba, huku mifumo ya kupoza na kupasha joto ikiwa na uwezo wa kudumisha hali ya joto inayofaa mwaka mzima.

Mwisho, lakini si kwa umuhimu mdogo, nyumba hii iko katika eneo linaloruhusu uanachama wa Sunnyside Gardens Park—faida kubwa kwa kuwa inatoa ufikiaji wa viwanja vya tenisi, njia ya kukimbia, viwanja viwili vya watoto, njia ya kuteleza kwa skateboard, maeneo ya baseball, mpira wa kikapu na soka, eneo la picnic, pamoja na ratiba kamili ya shughuli za kijamii, yote ikiwa umbali wa hatua chache tu. Si ajabu kwamba Time Out iliutaja mtaa huu kuwa mojawapo ya mitaa 50 bora zaidi katika NYC!

Jiji liko hapo hapo, lakini chini ya kivuli cha mti wa magnolia huenda ukalisahau kwa alasiri nzima. Je, huo si ndio hasa umuhimu wake?

Welcome to The Magnolia House, a red-brick, single-family townhome set inside Sunnyside Gardens’ Historic District, also known as America’s first garden-city community.

This is a neighborhood built almost a hundred years ago on the idea that you could have greenery and community in NYC. You'll feel it the moment you turn onto the block: sycamore-lined streets, hidden courtyards just for residents, and a slower pace that still puts you fifteen minutes from Midtown.

The Magnolia House has its own chapter in that story. Built in 1940 and originally owned by a Rothschild, the home is one of six identical townhomes that were constructed after the neighborhood was formed. Designed for a new generation of families who owned cars, these homes were built differently from the rest of the neighborhood: larger footprints, higher ceilings, and—a true unicorn—a private driveway and garage with space for two cars!

Pull into that same driveway today, walk past your garden and front porch, and step inside to the main level, where the living room, dining, and kitchen flow into one another with ease. With two generously sized bedrooms upstairs, one nursery/home office, and 2.5 bathrooms throughout, this home provides ample space to unwind and enjoy. Downstairs, a versatile basement with a washer/dryer is ready for whatever you need next—home gym, playroom, extra storage, take your pick.

Out back, past the gorgeous sun porch, is your private yard where The Magnolia House lives up to its name: a serene retreat shaded by a large, mature magnolia tree. There’s plenty of room for al fresco dinners with friends and quiet summer afternoons. The home is also equipped with solar panels, providing solar energy to power the home, while split systems can cool and heat the home comfortably year-round.

Last, but far from least, the house is zoned for membership to Sunnyside Gardens Park—a huge benefit as it offers access to tennis courts, a running track, two playgrounds, a skate ramp, baseball, basketball, and soccer, a picnic grove, and a full calendar of social events, all just steps away. It’s no surprise Time Out named this street one of the 50 best blocks in NYC!

The city is right there, but under the shade of the magnolia tree you might forget it for an afternoon. Isn’t that the point?