Connecticut

A charming 18th-century farmstead in Connecticut's Fairfield County is on the market for $1,150,000. Located on two private acres at 289 Nod Hill Road in Wilton, the property includes a four-bedroom main house, a barn, four additional detached structures, and a chicken coop. Built in 1790, the cozy home boasts some original details, including the historic hearth in the "keeping" room.
See inside

Tommy Hilfiger sells lavish, chateau-style Connecticut estate for $45M

All listing photos by Samuel Rodriguez & Steve Rossi for Sotheby’s International Realty

January 19, 2021

Tommy Hilfiger sells lavish, chateau-style Connecticut estate for $45M

Fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger has unloaded the last of his Greenwich, Connecticut properties for $45 million, Sotheby's International Realty tells 6sqft. The 22-acre estate was built in 1939 and resembles a French chateau from the outside, with an eclectic, European flair inside. It's located on the summit of Round Hill, the highest point in Greenwich, providing views of the Long Island Sound and Manhattan skyline. Other lavish amenities include a baronial Elizabethan-style spiral staircase, six fireplaces, a pool house, tennis court, and parterre gardens. According to the Post, he and his wife Dee Ocleppo bought the home for $31.37 million in 2010, after which they spent millions more on renovations.
Take the full tour

$2.6M English-style estate in Connecticut has a 50-foot underground swim tunnel leading to the pool

All photos by Borgatta Photography

January 12, 2021

$2.6M English-style estate in Connecticut has a 50-foot underground swim tunnel leading to the pool

A $2.6 million estate that "transports you to the pastoral English countryside" is for sale in Weston, Connecticut. The historic eight-acre property at 5 Norfield Road was once home to Alice DeLamar, an heiress and patron of the arts who was once considered America's richest woman. DeLamar built the home, later named Stonebrook, in 1930. The estate includes a 10-room main residence, a guest cottage, a horse barn, and a 50-foot-long swim tunnel that leads from the basement to the oversized outdoor pool.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

2020 luxury home sales rose 270% in some upstate New York counties

Downtown Rhinebeck, NY. Photo by Juliancolton via Wikimedia Commons

January 8, 2021

2020 luxury home sales rose 270% in some upstate New York counties

It's not news at this point that throughout 2020 the suburbs of New York City were flooded with new home buyers, pushing up prices and leading to unbelievable bidding wars. But what is news is just how much certain upstate areas saw a rise. According to Houlihan Lawrence's Q4 2020 Market Report, Putnam and Dutchess counties saw a 269-percent increase in home sales $1 million and over. And in Westchester county, sales $2M and higher grew by approximately 53 percent.
READ MORE

Real Estate Trends

For $5.2M, this 13-acre Connecticut compound has a lodge-style home, guest cottage, and greenhouse

All photos courtesy of Borgatta Photography

January 7, 2021

For $5.2M, this 13-acre Connecticut compound has a lodge-style home, guest cottage, and greenhouse

In Fairfield County, a 13-acre compound with a grand six-bedroom main residence, guest cottage, greenhouse, and a barn-style detached garage is now on the market for $5.195 million. Known as Byebrook, the sprawling property at 232 Newtown Turnpike was once home to late New York City real estate mogul Lawrence Wien, who used the property as a hunting lodge, as Westport News first reported. Surrounded by nature, the estate sits along the Saugatuck River and is near the Devil's Den Nature Preserve, while still being just a 75-minute drive to Midtown Manhattan.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

November 24, 2020

Paul Simon relists 32-acre New Canaan estate for $11.9M

The Connecticut estate of Grammy Award-winning musician Paul Simon has returned to the market for $11.9 million, roughly $2 million less than when the property first listed last year. The 1938-built brick home at 82 Brookwood Lane sits on 32 private acres in New Canaan, about an hour's ride from Manhattan on Metro-North. Simon and his wife, singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, bought the home in 2002 and raised their three children there.
Take the tour

For $2M, a Connecticut estate with a rebuilt barn and ties to the NYC art world

All photos courtesy of Sean Fowler, Planomatic

November 13, 2020

For $2M, a Connecticut estate with a rebuilt barn and ties to the NYC art world

A five-acre estate in Connecticut that once belonged to a New York City heiress and patron of the arts is now asking $1.995 million. The property at 453-455 Newtown Turnpike was once owned by Alice DeLamar, the daughter of Joseph Raphael DeLamar, a mining mogul who made a fortune in the industry during the late 19th century. Throughout her life, Alice financially supported the careers of many artists and writers, even allowing many of them to stay at her multiple properties. The unique compound includes a four-bedroom main house, two guest cottages, an 1800's blacksmith forge, and a three-room "dollhouse."
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

For $1.1M, a mid-century time capsule in Connecticut with pink accents and a retro bar

All photos courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

October 29, 2020

For $1.1M, a mid-century time capsule in Connecticut with pink accents and a retro bar

With its vaulted ceilings, wood paneling, pink details, and retro rec room, this 1960-built home in Greenwich, Connecticut is the textbook definition of mid-century modern design. In addition to the attractive interiors, the home features a patio and is also set back from the road, which provides privacy and additional outdoor space. Located at 261 Cognewaugh Road in Cos Cob, the three-bedroom, two-bath home is now on the market for $1.125 million.
See more here

Distinctive Homes

All photos by Caryn B. Davis Photography

October 20, 2020

$1.5M Connecticut estate of 60 Minutes’ Morley Safer has a stone cottage, writer’s studio, and more

Legendary 60 Minutes news correspondent Morley Safer was on the show for more than four decades, and during most of that time, he split his time between NYC and this gorgeous, seven-acre estate in Chester, Connecticut. The property includes the main stone house built in 1908, a cozy writer's studio, a heated pool and gazebo, and a 19th-century barn. Safer passed away in 2016, and his wife Jane Fearer is now selling the estate for the first time in 30 years. It's asking $1,450,000.
See the whole place

There’s a professional hockey rink at this $7.7M Connecticut home

Photo by Ravi Capeles

August 31, 2020

There’s a professional hockey rink at this $7.7M Connecticut home

This unusual home in Stamford, Connecticut is thought to be the only private residence in the Tri-State area with its own private indoor hockey rink. It even comes with a Zamboni, heated team benches, lighted scoreboard, and locker rooms--and it's hosted players from the Rangers. Listed for $7,690,000, the 18,000 square feet home sits on 13 acres and also comes with two guest houses, a pool, and a small lake.
See it all

Historic Connecticut estate built by the man behind the Empire State Building lists for $8.3M

All photos courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

August 5, 2020

Historic Connecticut estate built by the man behind the Empire State Building lists for $8.3M

This sprawling English Manor-style estate in Greenwich, Connecticut was built in 1928 by Paul Starrett, one of the main developers behind the Empire State Building and the Plaza. Set on nearly three acres, the seven-bedroom home has grand interiors, romantic landscaping, and a gorgeous pool. It's just hit the market for $8,295,000.
Have a look around here

This incredible Italian-style villa is asking $9.2M in Greenwich, CT

Photos by Chris Meech

July 21, 2020

This incredible Italian-style villa is asking $9.2M in Greenwich, CT

The "Great Estates" of Greenwich, CT were built at the turn-of-the-century after the railroad first connected New Haven to New York City. As explained in the CT Post, with the rich able to get to and from the city easily and also have a retreat near the shore where they could dock their yachts, many grand mansions were constructed here. Today, very few remain, but this incredible Italian-style villa, which was commissioned by the founder of American Standard Co., has stood the test of time and is listed for $9,208,000. It has the massive, seven-bedroom main house, a guest house, pool and pool house, tennis court, pump house, and rolling, romantic lawns.
Take the full tour

Distinctive Homes

Late fashion designer Vince Camuto’s Connecticut chateau is coming to auction

Photo courtesy of Compass

July 17, 2020

Late fashion designer Vince Camuto’s Connecticut chateau is coming to auction

18 bathrooms, 11 bedrooms, four-and-a-half acres of land, a private grotto, and tennis courts--this is just some of what you'll find at the Greenwich, Connecticut mansion of the late shoe designer and Nine West founder Vince Camuto. The home was recently listed for $26.5 million, but it'll now come to auction next month, selling online to the highest bidder with no reserve (who will also have the option to separately purchase all the furniture). Vince's wife, Louise Camuto, said in a statement, "I’ve been here for a long time, and we have loved living here. It’s a year-round house that you enjoy both in the summer and in the winter... It’s a perfect place to raise a family."
READ MORE

Six-acre private island in Connecticut with a charming cottage asks $2.5M

Photo by Carlos Marques, Marcott Studios

July 13, 2020

Six-acre private island in Connecticut with a charming cottage asks $2.5M

A nearly six-acre private island off the coast of Norwalk, Connecticut has hit the market for $2.5 million. The property, called Copps Island, features an adorable three-bedroom, two-bath cottage with a huge screened-in porch. The home, which measures about 2,620 square feet, sits on the island's highest point, providing serene views of the Long Island Sound from every room.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Connecticut’s biggest sale of the year is a $17.1M waterfront estate with a golf practice green

Photo credit is Halstead Connecticut LLC

May 14, 2020

Connecticut’s biggest sale of the year is a $17.1M waterfront estate with a golf practice green

Halstead Real Estate reports that their Greenwich, Connecticut-based agent Christopher Finlay just represented the state's highest-priced sale of this year. The incredible waterfront estate was originally listed for $21 million and closed this week for $17.1 million. Located within the prestigious Belle Haven neighborhood, the impeccably renovated 1915 Georgian Colonial sits on nearly four acres that come complete with rolling lawns overlooking the Long Island Sound, a large swimming pool, a gorgeous flower garden, and a contoured golf practice green with bunkers.
See it all right here

Real Estate Trends

Connecticut will reopen restaurants, hair salons next week

Photo of West Hartford by Ragesoss on Wikimedia

May 14, 2020

Connecticut will reopen restaurants, hair salons next week

Connecticut restaurants, offices, hair salons, museums, and retail stores can open next week as part of the state's first reopening phase--but expect things to look a little different. To be able to open on May 20, eligible businesses must follow strict rules, which include outdoor only service for restaurants and museums, capacity limits, facemask requirements, and restriction of social gatherings to five people. Connecticut's decision comes as New Jersey will start to open on Monday and some upstate regions of New York get ready to reopen this weekend.
More here

Policy

French chateau on the Connecticut coast asks $4.5M

Photos courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

May 5, 2020

French chateau on the Connecticut coast asks $4.5M

Francophiles will fall head over heels with this stunning mansion in Stamford, Connecticut. Recently listed for $4,495,000, the French chateau-style home has a whopping nine bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and nearly 1.7 acres of beautifully manicured grounds that include a huge circular driveway and a pool. As first reported by the Post, Marion Castle, as it's known, was built in 1912 by architects Hunt & Hunt, sons of the famous architect Richard Morris Hunt. It was constructed for Hollywood production pioneer Frank Marion.
Go inside

Distinctive Homes

For $1.3M, own a converted 1850s church in Connecticut

Photo credit: Pete’s Precision Photo

May 1, 2020

For $1.3M, own a converted 1850s church in Connecticut

Photo credit: Pete’s Precision Photo For the price of a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan, you can own an entire converted church in Connecticut. Located in the town of Essex, about a two-hour drive northwest of New York City, this 1849 building has been listed publicly for the first time in over 50 years. Asking $1,295,000, the 8,543-square-foot structure was converted into a three-bedroom home with soaring sanctuary ceilings, a large outdoor deck, and a solarium/roof patio in the former steeple.
Take a tour

19th-century Connecticut ‘manor’ has English gardens and a coachman’s cottage for $15.9M

Listing photos courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

April 15, 2020

19th-century Connecticut ‘manor’ has English gardens and a coachman’s cottage for $15.9M

Here's an English manor right in Connecticut (h/t CIRCA). Listed for $15,900,000 (down from the original ask of $22,000,000), the 1891 home is located on the Belle Haven peninsula in Greenwich, an exclusive enclave that was built in the late 19th century as a residential park. Known as the Fairholme Estate, it features perfectly preserved interiors, a wrap-around porch, coachman's cottage, in-ground pool, and incredibly manicured gardens with maze-like hedges and climbing vines.
Tour the whole property

Distinctive Homes

Own three private islands off the Connecticut coast for $5.3M

Photo of Belden Island (top left) by Dan Milstein, photo of Jepson Island (top right) by Planomatic, and photo of Wheelers Island (bottom) by Dan Milstein

April 9, 2020

Own three private islands off the Connecticut coast for $5.3M

Take social distancing to its full extent by living on a private island (or three). A trio of private islands off the coast of Connecticut has hit the market for a total of $5.3 million. The properties, part of the Thimble Islands and located in the Long Island Sound, was last for sale in 2016 as part of a $78 million eight-island package.
See the private escapes

Distinctive Homes

Mid-century-modern meets rustic retreat at this $835K A-frame home in Connecticut

All photos by Michael Bowman Photography

November 14, 2019

Mid-century-modern meets rustic retreat at this $835K A-frame home in Connecticut

The great thing about this house in Litchfield, Connecticut is that it can satisfy two ends of the design spectrum (h/t Curbed). For mid-century-modern lovers, its six-part A-frame design and geometric interiors check the boxes, while its country setting and wood-filled rooms will please a more rustic sensibility. Listed for $835,000, the four-bedroom home sits on 15 acres and boasts three stone fireplaces, multiple outdoor decks, and exposed redwood beams throughout that frame incredible double-height views.
Take the full tour

TV host Regis Philbin lists Connecticut mansion for a significant loss at $4.6M

Photo credit: Steve Rossi Photography for Sotheby’s International Realty.

November 8, 2019

TV host Regis Philbin lists Connecticut mansion for a significant loss at $4.6M

88-year-old veteran television talk show host Regis Philbin (“Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee/Kelly,” “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” “America’s Got Talent”) and his wife, Joy, have put their Greenwich, Connecticut home on the market for $4.595 million (h/t WSJ). The ask is a significant drop from the home's purchase price a decade ago when the couple moved in. The 13,661-square-foot residence was built in the style of an English Manor, complete with a pool, tennis court, and a garage that holds five cars. The Philbins are selling in order to spend more time with family in California; Ms. Philbin said in a statement that “this house will always be our favorite...There was always room for everyone.”
Tour the manor

Every day could be a camping adventure at this $998K Connecticut log and stone country home

Photo credit: Weston Photos, courtesy of Compass.

October 16, 2019

Every day could be a camping adventure at this $998K Connecticut log and stone country home

Located in Weston, Connecticut, this unique home was built of log and stone in 1920 and has been completely restored by its current owners to offer the same cabin-in-the-woods charm it undoubtedly had back then. Asking $998,000, the house has the necessary modern amenities plus bonus additions like a detached garage with a studio/in-law space above it–and a picture perfect country setting complete with a pond and stream. The house doesn't just look cabin-like: There's an actual heated cabin on the property, with a campsite and a fire pit.
Get a closer look

Distinctive Homes

August 26, 2019

For $1.2M, this stone Cotswold cottage in Greenwich, Connecticut has Anglophile appeal

On three magical acres landscaped with weeping willow trees and enchanting gardens, this Cotswold-style cottage isn't set in the rolling hills of rural England but in Greenwich, CT, less than an hour from New York City. Cotswold cottages are famous for their stone-clad beauty, and this one on Connecticut's gold coast, asking $1.195 million, is no exception.
Take a look inside

August 21, 2019

This waterfront Connecticut home comes with a private island for $6.25M

Just in case panoramic water views from one of the East Coast's most sought-after spots isn't enough, this meticulously renovated traditional home at 16 Marlow Court at the mouth of Cos Cob harbor on Long Island Sound in Fairfield County, CT, comes with its own .15 acre private island. Consider it an extension of your back porch, just another part of your $6.25 million private estate on 200 feet of direct water frontage with views of the harbor and the Riverside Yacht Club.
Get an eyeful of those views

August 7, 2019

Asking $1M, this sweet Connecticut ‘Mouse House’ cottage is just a whisker from the beach