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Roslyn: High-ranking schools, mixed-use development, Revolutionary War history draw buyers

Roslyn is just 0.6 square miles, but houses two historic... — Roslyn is just 0.6 square miles, but houses two historic districts, parks, high-end eateries and more. Credit: Howard Simmons

By Frank LoveceSpecial to NewsdayUpdated September 14, 2026 8:51 am

THE SCOOP From pre-Revolutionary times, Long Island history has been American history. And perhaps nowhere is that more apparent than in the Village of Roslyn.

George Washington breakfasted here, on April 24, 1790, writing in his diary of being "kindly received and well entertained" at Henry Onderdonk's home, a building dating to 1740 and now the restaurant Hendrick's Tavern. Onderdonk's Roslyn Grist Mill, completed in 1715, still graces the village, as does the 1680 Van Nostrand-Starkins House and the Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower, dedicated in 1895.

And though occupying only 0.6 square miles, Roslyn has not one but two historic districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Roslyn's century-old Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower sits in... — Roslyn's century-old Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower sits in the middle of the main downtown area Credit: Howard Simmons

For all that, says Mayor John Durkin, a resident for 47 years and business owner for 44, this Town of North Hempstead village is not stuck in the past.

"Roslyn has always been able to accommodate growth and at the same time maintain its historic character," he said. "We've preserved the quality of the downtown and the homes surrounding it, but at the same time added new properties" — striving to ensure, he said, that they be mixed-use business and residential.

"For any new project coming in, we always insist on 20% workforce housing," he added.

The community's culture, real estate agent Tara Fox of Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty believes, "is like the Upper East Side of Manhattan landed there. You have your restaurants, your shopping, your everyday conveniences. Plus, you have a real downtown that gives Roslyn a lot of character."

Stephanie Rodriguez is the co-owner of Viola’s Vintage on Old... — Stephanie Rodriguez is the co-owner of Viola’s Vintage on Old Northern Boulevard, which houses many other shops and eateries. Credit: Howard Simmons

Centered on a strip of Old Northern Boulevard near Roslyn Pond, that downtown includes about a dozen mostly fine-dining restaurants. Just off that road on Bryant Avenue is the trattoria Diane's, where Durkin — village mayor for a quarter-century — is executive chef and co-owner.

There are no big-box stores — the nearest supermarkets, in two adjacent hamlets, are an Uncle Giuseppe's in Greenvale and a Holiday Farms in Roslyn Heights. The latter hamlet also has the Roslyn Long Island Rail Road station. Similarly, the Roslyn School District is headquartered in Roslyn, but the high school, middle school and two elementary schools are next door in Roslyn Heights, and there's another elementary in Greenvale.

The village's two parks are modest but well-maintained. Downtown's Gerry Pond Park features a gazebo and a working mill. Skillman Street Park includes a dog park with a fenced off-leash area and a split dog run for large and small dogs.

Homes along Mackay Way, top, and Short Drive in Roslyn. Credit: Howard Simmons

And while home prices start around $1 million to $1.3 million "as a realistic entry point," said Fox, bargains can be had. "A home just sold for $720,000 on Northern Boulevard," she said. And as of earlier this month, real estate listings showed a 1,365-square-foot, three-bedroom, 2½-bath house on that street at $799,999. There also are condominiums, including some for 55+ buyers.

"There're a lot more young folks moving into town," Durkin said. "I see baby strollers now, so there's a broad demographic of people. Some folks moved in as they downsized and others because they want to grow a family here. So I think we've this great mix of people coming into our village."

SALE PRICES Between Aug. 13, 2025, and Aug. 12, 2026, there were 81 home sales with a median sale price of $1.4 million, according to OneKey MLS. During the same period a year earlier, there were 79 home sales with a median sale price of $1.385 million.

CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are seven condos, priced between $254,999 and $1.78 million, on the market.

OTHER STATS

Population 2,978

Median age 64.3

Median home value $1.325 million

Monthly LIRR ticket from $299.75

School district, graduation rate Roslyn (98%)

Library Bryant Library

Transit NICE Bus Routes 21, 23, Port Washington Shuttle

Sources: 2024 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR; data.nysed.gov; Nassau Inter-County Express

RECENTLY SOLD

$2.6 million