News
Darien: 45 House Closings in First 4 months of 2012
May 3, 2012
A $10,750,000 sale in April highlighted a busy first four months of real estate activity in Darien. A very high end home also came on the market in April in 27 Contentment Island, listed for $26 million. The Realty Guild listing at 9 Contentment Island, pictured left, is on the market for 44,995,000, and more details can be found by clicking the image. To read full details of the Darien real estate market, please click here for a full report.
Wilton: First Quarter Report
May 3, 2012
In Wilton there were 27 house closings in the first quarter 2012. That’s a little off from the 34 we saw in the first quarter of 2011. However, there were 20 houses with signed contracts (pendings), and median sales price has remained relatively steady. Read full details here:
Stamford Waterfront home is 'Camp David by the sea'
May 1, 2012
Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty visited Grey Cliffs, the Stamford waterfront compound, and found the Long Island Sound setting to be "What living is all about." Here is his blog of the experience.
"Stamford, Connecticut is a city with big plans. These must have suffered a bit of a setback, like so many, through the banking crisis and recession, but the green shoots of renewal mean that ambition is once again abroad in Stamford.
So it was particularly good to visit Grey Cliffs. Five lodges within easy reach of each other occupy six beautifully landscaped acres on one of the most superb waterside locations on Long Island Sound. I thought of it as a sort of Camp David by-the-sea. The presidential enclave has always intrigued. A collection of cabins in the woods fit for a commander-in-chief. Well here is a mini Camp David that perhaps goes one better in its magnificent waterside location.
About eighty years ago a gentleman who had made his fortune during the years of prohibition, established a sanctuary here for his family. He had started on the road to riches in the floristry business in Manhattan. Later he opened his own shop and then branched out into liquor and food. He worked out that the three areas of business that would withstand a recession, or even depression, were “food, booze and flowers”. He was right then. And of course he would be right today.
When I visited on a cold but clear early March day with the snowdrops braving the chill, the crocuses thinking about it and the magnolias yet to bud, it was clear that here was a property for a big multi-branch family who like to stick together. Or perhaps as a facility for one of the new breed of businesses that are setting up in Stamford. Downtown is only ten minutes’ drive away and Grand Central Station, NYC only fifty minutes on the train. Recent good news is that in a $100 million deal NBC Sports Group are taking over the old Clairol HQ about a mile away from Grey Cliffs, and building a studio that will bring about 450 new jobs to the area, and no doubt kick start yet more regeneration by bringing fresh talent to the city.
As I wandered down the pathway past the magnificent copper beech – one of so many trees that also make Grey Cliffs an arboretum – to the pretty beach house and private beach with its sturdy little jetty, I reflected that this was a property fit for any president, be he or she the commander-in-chief of a country, a company or a family.
In the summer the big classic yachts in Long Island Sound sail past Grey Cliffs as they have done for over a hundred years. Watching them from the shore may well trigger intrigue and perhaps a little envy. But spare a thought for the racer who may reflect back those feelings. They may be fortunate to be afloat in their boat but the residents of Grey Cliffs are privileged to be at hand on their land." To go directly to the Mayfair International blog, click here.
Darien Market Heating Up - Full Report
Apr 17, 2012
Darien single family house sales rose 6.9 percent in the first quarter of 2012 vs. the first quarter of 2011. But the best example of the strong energy in the Darien real estate market was the high amount of properties that went pending in March. Click here for our Darien Market Report, which gives details of each house that closed in the first quarter of 2012, historical perspective, mortgage news, and a story on our waterfront listing in Darien (photo left), known by our writer as “Treasure Island.” Please click the photo for more details on this magnificent property.
The Appliance of Science at magnificent 1385 Smith Ridge Road
Apr 13, 2012
Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty, our London Partner firm, recently visited this magnificent home at 1385 Smith Ridge Road in New Canaan, CT. Once back in the UK, he wrote the below blog about having taken a lesson at this property in domestic engineering and comfortable living.
“Vorsprung durch Technik”, or “Advancement through technology”, is the well-known ethos behind Audi motorcars. Apparently it is writ large within the carmaker’s factory at Ingolstadt in Germany.
I thought of this as I was introduced to 1385 Smith Ridge Road, New Canaan, CT. This newly built house hasn’t been so much constructed as beautifully engineered. Nor does the label ‘builder’ quite fit Max Abel, the man behind its construction. He is more a master engineer who also happens to have a passion for creating homes that are comfortable, impressive and attractive. In short they work on all levels. This one certainly does. No detail has been ignored or missed however out of sight it may be. This is because, even if the new owner or visitor doesn’t know it’s there, Mr Abel does.
I am one of those people who is naturally drawn to the aesthetics of a home – the architectural look and interior design are important, rather than how it all works – as significant as this is nowadays. But I have always been like that. As a boy with a construction toy I tended to ignore the instructions and started building right away. In the end, despite having all sorts of odd parts left over, the result did look pretty much like the picture on the box. So here in New Canaan I suppose I was taking in the magnificent layout and finish more than learning about what it takes to make the house tick so well on a technical level. For that you do need really detailed instructions – and the discipline to follow them. Or, better still, an enthusiastic tutorial from engineer-in-chief, Max Abel.
But there is no chance here of any bits being left over. This is the sort of place where a rivet was used when only a screw was needed, and a screw used when only a nail was needed. I won’t go on about all these matters as there are those far better qualified to explain. But it is all very energy-efficient, hi-tech and built to last. Were I the owner I could even operate all the lighting in the house from my office in London or wherever in the world I happened to be!
That said, it was all those interior design details that so impressed me. The marble worktops in the vast and so well planned kitchen are a triumph. The space, and the use of it, throughout the house is very impressive. And, in the butler’s pantry/utility area, antique glass has been used as a design detail. Why? Because it gives instant age, patina and depth to a brand new house. It is these well-thought-out details, large and small, that make this such a terrific house above stairs. Of course the devil is also in the detail below stairs, and for that Mr Abel is, I assure you, very able indeed. Vorsprung durch technik, as they could very well say in these very special 4 acres of Connecticut.
New Canaan Activity Report: High Number of Pendings and New Listings
Apr 13, 2012
New Canaan houses and condos saw slightly less closings in the first quarter of 2012 vs. quarter one of 2011. But there were are a number of very positive signs in the market to be aware of, including tremendous energy in pendings (houses with signed contracts) and a large number of new listings that gave buyers new property to consider. Read our first quarter report on New Canaan real estate, and a wonderful story on our new listing, Le Beau Chateau (pictured left) by clicking here.
Stamford Advocate focuses on Realty Guild
Apr 6, 2012
The feature article on the Realty Guild that appeared in the Stamford Advocate did a wonderful job of capturing the partnership we have with London-based Mayfair International Realty. Between Mayfair and Christie’s International Real Estate, we have expanded our reach, both nationally and internationally, in the attempt to give our sellers the greatest possible exposure in the marketing of their properties. With the increase of professionals and familys alike moving between Europe and New York and the surrounding area, it is a necessary step for us to provide the best possible service to our clients. Please take a moment to read the article by clicking the link here.
The Delight in Discovering an Enchanting Home
Mar 23, 2012
Nick Churton of London's Mayfair International recently visited Le Beau Chateau, our listing at 104 Dan's Highway in New Canaan that features 52 acres and a one-of-a-kind Chateau-style manor. The experience certainly left a lasting impression, which he reveals here in his latest blog:
It sleeps . . . Deep in the Connecticut woods, and well tucked away where no one can see it, Le Beau Chateau sleeps. Sleeping is what this exceptional French-style house has been doing for over sixty years. It stands empty, yet always well cared for, decorated, and heated. Only its guardians visit. Its heiress owner never lived in it. So it awaits a new owner who will, and who will revel in the extraordinary architecture, proportions, habitat and seclusion.
Now, after the death of its eccentric and philanthropic owner, Huguette Clarke, this magnificent house is finally on the market. The price tag says $19.8 million. This would have been pocket change to Huguette’s Gilded Age father, one of the 50th richest Americans ever. When he died in 1925, aged 86, he left the equivalent of $3.6 billion in today’s money.Huguette Clarke bought Le Beau Chateau in 1952 to go with her 42 room, 15,000 sq ft Fifth Avenue apartment in Manhattan and her 23 acre Santa Barbara estate in California.
The house is near to select New Canaan, home to Harry Connick Jr, Paul Simon, Ralph Lauren and a host of top New York CEOs. Few have seen it. I feel most privileged that I am one who has. The rooms are magnificent. The main bedroom has to be one of the very greatest I have ever seen. It is vast with a large fire place and towering double height window overlooking a charming waterfall that gives the hushed house its backing track. Stairs from this room rise to an upper floor gallery room that overlooks the woods. When I looked out a party of wild turkeys was striding along the tree line.
The vaulted attic resembles a cathedral. Downstairs the kitchen would almost do justice to a deluxe grand hotel in New York. The original metal cabinetry is highly fashionable retro chic. That is, it went out of fashion through the second half of the 20th century and is now very much back in again. Outside, beyond an apron of rough lawn is woodland in the raw. The services of a talented landscape designer who understands nature – and is handy with a chain saw – would do wonders.
Whether a single buyer will come along or an investor/developer will take the opportunity to add nine new mansions to the estate’s 52 acres remains to be seen. Development might seem a shame. But I think this can be done sympathetically and should keep the original house’s deep sense of seclusion, privacy and drama.
Whatever the future brings Le Beau Chateau will soon, like the heroine in a children’s fairy tale, wake after its sixty-year beauty sleep. It has had a wonderful repose but I think now it is high time for it to wake up and smell the coffee in that grand kitchen. All it needs is a princely kiss by someone who loves it as I do.
For more of Nick's blog, click here.
Christie’s to Auction Jewels of Heiress Huguette Clark
Mar 13, 2012
The jewelry collection of the late Heiress Huguette Clark, estimated to be worth over $10 million, will go on auction at Christie's in New York on April 17. Clark, the heir to a copper, timber and railroad fortune, died last year at age 104. She left behind an incredible collection of jewelry, art and more. She also had exquisite taste in real estate that included a group of three Manhattan apartments listed now with Brown Harris Stevens for a combined $55 Million, and a 52 acre estate in New Canaan now listed with Barbara Cleary's Realty Guild.
The Christie's auction will consist of just 17 pieces of Clark's jewels, led by an extremely rare 9-carat pink diamond ring and a 20-carat D-color diamond ring (see photo), estimated to sell for about $7 million and $2.5 million, respectively. For more information on the Christie’s April 17 auction, please click here.
For more information on the 52 acre estate in New Canaan, please call the listing broker Barbara Cleary at 203-554-0847.
Huguette Clark Manhattan Apartments Listed for $55 Million
Mar 9, 2012
The three New York City apartments owned by the late Huguette
Clark have been listed for sale for a combined $55 Million. Located at 907 Fifth Avenue, at
72nd Street
and overlooking Central Park (the view from one of the apartments is shown at left), the properties
are listed with our Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate Brown Harris
Stevens. The three apartments have a total of 42 rooms. Two of the apartments
make up the entire eighth floor of the building (approximately 10,000 square feet)
with another 5,000 square feet in an apartment that occupies half of the top
floor. Mrs. Clark also owned an estate in New Canaan,
CT, which the Realty Guild had previously
listed, and an oceanfront property in Santa
Barbara, Calif.,
which has an estimated value of $100 million. To read more about the New York City apartments,please click here.