PROPERTY: Walls of locally cut stone frame the wrought iron gated entry to a long winding drive flanked by cherry trees and an alley of towering maples. This is a country estate in the grand manner with park-like lawns and exquisitely manicured grounds offering horticultural splendor with many flowering gardens and perennial plantings. The verdant lawn sweeps grandly to the 600 foot seawall fronting the Sound. A pool, hot tub and pool house are sited directly at water's edge, a location that could not be duplicated today. An all weather tennis court with a tented viewing verandah, basketball half court and 3-car garage containing a whole house generator complete the estate.
RESIDENCE: A generous cobblestone courtyard fronts the Palladian style columned portico. The vestibule opens to the Rotunda Entrance Hall with access to the formal men's and ladies' lounges. The dramatic Grand Hall soars two stories with sensational water views. The staircase with Venetian Window and full balustrade railing creates a stunning second floor Gallery. A wood paneled Library with fireplace and wet bar has French doors to a side terrace. The elegant Living Room with phenomenal views has a fireplace with marble surround, deep crown moldings and French doors to a terrace. The serene Garden Room with magnificent water views opens to the formal English Garden with cherub fountain surrounded by cut boxwood and a serpentine brick wall. The banquet sized formal Dining Room with fireplace, twin corner cupboards and three sets of French doors opens to a platform porch and side terrace, all with sweeping panoramas. A large Butler's Pantry with original cabinetry and wood counters open to the Clive Christian gourmet Kitchen overlooking Long Island Sound. Details include French Terra Cotta tile flooring, rich pine cabinetry and marble counters with a center island and eating area. Three sets of French doors open to an expansive flagstone terrace with awning and brick wall surround and steps to the trellised Rose Garden. First floor service hall with powder room leads to a staff dining room, laundry room, basement access and rear staircase.
Second Level: Luxurious Master Bedroom Suite with water views, step down Sitting Room, sumptuous "Her" bath with decorative fireplace, soaking tub and walk-in dressing closet and "His" bath with steam shower. Two additional Bedrooms with Bath en Suite are accessed through arched doors off the Gallery Hall. A Bedroom wing features three bedrooms, two with water views and each with bath. The Staff Wing contains the seventh bedroom, hall bath, office and large exercise room with water views.
Third Level: Two finished rooms, half bath and attic storage.
Price: $37,900,000
Bed: 7
Bath: 8 Full/4 Half
Living Space: 10,500
Lot Size: 6.65
One of the largest estates on the Westport shoreline, "The Moorings" is an extraordinary property with unparalleled aesthetic grandeur and 600 feet of sweeping water frontage. There are three exceptional lots totaling 6.65 acres, two directly on the water. This landmark property offers unrivaled views of Long Island Sound and the Southport and Fairfield coastlines. The magnificent Palladian style mansion was purchased by H. Smith Richardson in 1932 and renovated by successive owners to its present superb condition. It measures 10,500 square feet containing nineteen rooms including seven bedrooms, eight full and four half baths. A contemporary guest house with pool and tennis court in an adjoining property was acquired by the current owners to recreate the original estate setting.
LOCATION: Green Farms, an exclusive area of Westport, Connecticut is located only 50 miles from Manhattan . A highly desirable residential area, this sophisticated community provides international flair, a flourishing cultural life and the charm of a New England village. There is easy access to train, interstate and metropolitan area airports. Sikorsky Airport in Stratford, used by private aircraft, is 30 minutes away. Superb dining, shopping and nationally known theatre are available as well as excellent public and private schools and nearby universities. Beachside Avenue, also known as the Connecticut Gold Coast, offers some of the most sought after waterfront properties in New England. This magnificent estate offers a premier location on a celebrated street of private gated properties for the most discriminating buyer.
GUEST HOUSE: Architecturally designed in 1982 to provide unobstructed water views from all principal rooms. It is a four level, eight room contemporary of approximately 5,000 square feet containing four bedrooms, three and one half baths and a third level widow's walk with panoramic water views. Lovely terraces lead to a beautiful free form stone lined swimming pool.
I visited Connecticut once in my younger years and fell in love with the whole state! We are visiting Westport next summer and I can't wait!!!