Holly Hill, Estate of the Day
If you like Brooke Astor's New York City apartment, be prepared to swoon over Holly Hill. The property in Briarcliff Manor, New York is everything you'd expect of Mrs. Astor's country abode. Max Abelson of the New York Observer's Manhattan Transfers recently took the tour with real estate broker David Turner.
The home is on 64.6 acres that include a four-bedroom gardener's cottage, a chauffeur's apartment atop a five-bay carriage house, an ancient pump house, barn with a three-car garage, a small museum, greenhouse, root cellar, pet cemetery, cutting gardens and something called the Love Temple. The land can be subdivided and developed.
The main house is a 1927 stone manor designed by architect William Delano. It has six marble fireplaces and 13 bedrooms, including staff quarters. The home has an elegant marble foyer, 42-foot-long parquet-floored drawing room, a sun room, an indoor pool and a beautiful library. Other rooms include the photograph-covered Memory Room; the Cardinal's Room with telegrams from the Vatican on the wall and of course a huge master suite. This home is listed at $12.9 million.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jack Nov 14th 2008 1:51PM
Very nice garden.
just me Nov 14th 2008 2:09PM
A stunning home, there is little I would change if given the chance to buy it furnished. Sad to see doggie stains in the one parlor shot, otherwise just near perfect. And the landscaping--WOW.
Spectacular Bid Nov 14th 2008 5:44PM
Such a lovely estate although I like the previously featured residence 'Doe Run' (residence John and Lady Esther Thouron in Unionville, PA) just a slight bit more. Each are exceedingly tasteful and restrained manor homes with brilliant landscapes and gardens.
Holly Hill certainly puts the late Leona Helmsley's overpriced Greenwich pile to shame. They both passed away at a similar time yet like their personalities their homes are quite different. Holly Hill compared to Dunnellen is just a fraction of the asking price - although similar tax rates - yet with more dependency structures and precious few alterations required to adjust to taste.
At that relatively cheap price mixed with a rich history it will get snatched up quickly. One just hopes it isn't by the developers who are less cash rich and borrowing challenged at the moment.
A wonderful woman, the late Brooke Astor, who enjoys so many days at this estate and finally found her peace there too.
CK Dexter-Haven Nov 14th 2008 11:02PM
Agreed Spec, Holly Hill looks great, altho I wonder about development in Briarcliff Manor and environs.
Several weeks ago I was in Dunellen Hall. It isn't just "taste" that requires adjustment in there. It is a 90million dollar fixer-upper...(I am not kidding, even the realtor for it will say that one-on-one.).
Even a dolt with big money would be unlikely to jump in on that one...
tommyboy Nov 15th 2008 6:41AM
Very nice garden.The different colours of trees are spectacular and the library is cosy looking.
T. Leeflang Nov 16th 2008 4:28PM
What's most lovely about this house is that even given it's enormous size, it *feels* like a lived-in, well-loved home. And oh, what a delight those gardens are!