Upon entering, one is immediately swept away by the unique mood that the home sets, by the feeling of elegance and sophistication that this classic 1930s estate imparts.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2014 edition of Luxury Showcase, the magazine of William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty.
William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty New Canaan brokerage manager William Larkin, who has listed the property for sale, describes that pause that occurs as one takes in the majesty of the residence: “It’s a moment in time.” Reflecting on those first steps into the home’s entrance foyer, he suggests, “It captivates you from the moment you walk in.”
Perhaps the moment begins even before that, when rolling up the gated drive and approaching the imposing whitewashed brick Georgian-style façade. The vintage look of the exterior was part of a significant restoration and renovation undertaken by the current owners, honoring the home’s roots while bringing it fully into the modern world. The vintage style is discovered throughout the over 10,000 square-foot interior as well, from the extensive millwork to the new moldings to the many additional enhanced architectural details.
Larkin points to the solarium, accessed through the library and lying at one end of the house, as one of his favorites of the numerous remodeled spaces. Previously a blank slate, the room now features new coffered ceilings, new French doors that exit to the grounds, and of course, plenty of sunlight. The living room is another standout: “I love the light and the views looking out at the property,” he says. The room also includes a new fireplace and surround, a feature that it shares with the formal dining room and master bedroom. The master was another blank slate prior to its renovation, Larkin notes, and now displays beautiful moldings and millwork as well as built-in bookcases. In total, the home has seven bedrooms with en-suite baths.
The family room highlights ceruse-finished solid oak woodwork and display cabinets along with new French doors, while the extensively renovated kitchen has a new bay window, refinished flooring and a breakfast room with French doors. The renovation continues on the lower level, where a floor that previously served simply as utilitarian space now hosts a state-of-the-art movie theater, gym, and bar and billiard room. Everywhere one looks there is a perfect symmetry between the old and the new, a seamless balance between classic details and today’s amenities. These include a sound system with touch pad controls, art lighting, HVAC system upgrades, new 600-amp electrical service and a full security system.
The outdoors have been shaped just as carefully as the indoors, with a design plan that includes formal gardens and landscape lighting. Surrounded by deer fencing, the 7.5-acre grounds offer a swimming pool, pool house, tennis court and refurbished greenhouse, as well as a fully renovated carriage house that parks four cars and includes two cottage-style apartments on its upper level. The property also has a new attached two-car garage.
This is a home that truly delivers that suspended moment in time when it is first experienced. Another moment in time is one in which a home of this caliber is on the market at all. Larkin remarks on the rarity of a buying opportunity like this one: “The home is a fusion of modern amenities framed in classic elegance and charm, with details rarely seen today. I consider the residence to be at the top amongst the top estate properties in town.”
5 North Wilton Road in New Canaan, Connecticut (Web ID: 99062147) is offered at $8,900,000 USD. For more information, please visit ClassicNewCanaanEstate.com or contact William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty New Canaan brokerage manager William Larkin at +1 203 858 7224 or [email protected].