Round Hill, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Apr 26th 2010 at 1:01PM

Now that Mel Gibson's Old Mill Farm finally sold we need a new Greenwich, Connecticut classic to obsess over. Presented for your consideration is this great estate, a pre-war French Normandy with views of the New York City skyline and Long Island Sound. The home has two double-gated driveways that lead you through the 22 acre property passing by rolling lawns, boxwood gardens, rose and flower gardens and even a stone lion on the way to the large main house. But here alas is where our journey ends, that's right, this $33 million listing doesn't have a single inside picture. The listing description tells of classically scaled rooms, leaded glass, French doors, carved motifs and a circular stairway. The eight bedroom home has a master suite with dual bedrooms and dressing rooms, a kitchen with breakfast room, butler and service pantries, billiard, exercise and media rooms. The property has both indoor and outdoor pools, gazebos and a greenhouse with a fireplace. The listing calls it "a must see for anyone who wants the best." I just want to see inside!

[Thanks, James!]

Gallery: Round Hill, Estate of the Day

Tags: connecticut real estate, estate of the day, greenwich, luxury real estate, round hill

Filed under: Estates

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

DJ Apr 26th 2010 2:16PM

No interior shots???

Possible reasons:

A - The inside is in dire need of updating and they don't want to scare anyone away without looking at it first.

B - For security reasons, the current owners don't what the interior photographed in a way that might make it appealing to vandals.

C - A porn movie was once filmed here and they don't want anyone to recognize the interior.

C.K. Dexter-Haven Apr 26th 2010 3:06PM

1. No interior shots because the owner is a bit worried about his art collection.

2. Tommy Hilfiger just bought this last week, although they haven't settled yet.
I don't know the price.

Deidre Woollard Apr 26th 2010 3:19PM

Thanks for the great info, C.K.!

Spectacular Bid Apr 26th 2010 4:02PM

Interesting to note this 1938 property originally listed for $38M in mid-2006 while it was with David Ogilvy (the Christie's Great Estates affiliate) it was eventually sold in January 2008 for $30M. Further never when the property was with Ogilvy were interior shots ever provided to the public either.

I've always been smitten with this house as well. I'm quite certain the interior has retained the old world charm of the exterior. As for the suggested motive of porn movies shot inside (as suggested above) that would be the old Woolworth Mansion in Glen Cove, NY if you believe the dubious remarks of author Monica Randall ;>

Has it been disclosed as to who bought Old Mill Farm?

C.K. Dexter-Haven Apr 26th 2010 5:38PM

Hi Spec,
The expectation on OMF is a developer. The property had been legally divided in to four additional lots. At least one of which is near the woodline that touches the Merritt Parkway. I saw the plat but cannot remember it all that well now.
When you are standing near the main house, in that wonderful back yard of gardens and a pool, you can hear some of the parkway noise...not a lot, but enough to be a bit off-putting. (At least IMO)

Woolworth, as you know...is haunted. Even worse is the office building on the grounds that the local authorities won't allow to be torn down...(at least as of when I saw it two years or so ago.). The house is SUPER ornate, as was the custom when it was built. There was an offer( 2 years ago) from an individual of Middle Eastern origin whom the local authority resfused to let buy...he had been cleared by Uncle Sam but that wasn't enough...and he was willing to pay $20m. Additionally, all of the HVAC gear is in the basement of the house...and there is a lot of it...

Hilfigers new house is wonderful on the inside...totally wonderful...(which is a word I seldom use.) He managed to sell his previous Greenwich house...(which I am pretty sure was an ESOD here)...it was only on a few paltry acres, so this new one is a big step up in acrage.

Deidre Woollard Apr 26th 2010 5:41PM

Great conversation here. Thanks for the background info. Yes, Hilfiger's old place was an EOTD http://www.luxist.com/2008/02/29/tommy-hilfigers-stone-hill-estate-of-the-day/ eventually sold for $20 million last fall.

Spectacular Bid Apr 26th 2010 9:44PM

Dexter thanks for the inside scoop. A terrible shame if that truly is the fate of Old Mill Farm - having that land carved up is a pity. Although I suppose having even just one of the assorted outbuilding razed is a far worse fate. If OMF being in four more manageable chunks so that lesser wealthy people (almost an oxymoron there) can afford and maintain segments of what it once was then so be it.

Tommy's prior house wasn't exactly old charm so I'm a bit surprised he would opt for this property. His personal taste/style seems more shall we say progressive and new as opposed to trying to be part of the old guard. Perhaps he's trying to take a new page from Ralph Lauren with his uber lovely Bedford NY estate which is a stone gem done by Delano & Aldrich c1919.

As for the Woolworth estate it is actually back off-the market for the moment while the HBO miniseries "Mildrid Pierce" starring Kate Winslet, Evan Rachel Wood and Guy Pearce is being shot there. Frankly I don't see Martin Carey selling it as despite offers over the years and suggestions its officially and unofficially on the market.

blhdlv Apr 26th 2010 4:24PM

The Woolworth estate is back on the market for $19.5.
http://www.glenkeyrealty.com/key-listings/details?Page=25&SearchType=797&

DJ Apr 26th 2010 5:53PM

It's funny how you can make an off the cuff remark about porn and it leads to a thread all it's own.

Ironically, there was an article done a few years ago about very high end luxury homes for sale in the LA area that were being rented on a daily basis for porn shoots. It allowed the owners to stay current with their finances. A handful of potential buyers heard about their prospective home's dual identity and backed out of the deals.

Mikki Apr 26th 2010 6:11PM

Lovely to see that many of these 'estates' vs the McMansions, and they have such lovely and spacious grounds!

You know that at some point, developers will graduallyy come in and buy these lovely old homes, then divvy up the land and make a fortune, leaving the lovely "Grand Dames" sitting amidst tons of concret, glass and steel.

C.K. Dexter-Haven Apr 27th 2010 1:25AM

Hi Again Spec,

I totally agree about OMF. However, I think the out buildings had to remain intact, but 75 acres in "Back Country" was probably giving someone up there nightmares about un-used land...and the lot sizes are better than the usual 2-5 acre crapola.
I know for a fact that MG paid 200k in taxes last year on the place...divided up it would generate more (as you know) and with Greenwich suffering a tax drought, that would make someone happy. Like you I am never glad to see such events occur.
Regarding Tommy H., I also agree...his previous place was a total McMansion and I too was thinking of RL's Bedford farm in compariosn to the new TH abode. It is referred to as the HIRSCHORN Estate...as in the Washington, DC Museum of the same name...

I looked at the link that BLHDLV posted about the Woolworth place...it looked to me like an attempt to rent that office building that used to be a nice stable/carriage house...God forbid, but I guess they need to make some money...Is that Mildrid Pierce a remake of the 1930's version??? (Hepburn, I think???) That'll make some money...

You need to come sail with Tracey and me on the True Love XII this summer...
Cheers,
CK

blhdlv Apr 27th 2010 9:17PM

Days ago Winfield Hall was listed all over the place - now all those listings have been dropped? The place has been on TV lately with commercials from David's Bridal and a debut spot at the Oscars for cervical cancer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HumoHUC8yQ&playnext_from=TL&videos=EOGr5n_BvA8

Plus three other YouTube videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xgJHbOEZS4

gregg Apr 27th 2010 10:19PM

That Mildred Pierce is indeed a remake of the 1945 pic starring Joan Crawford in her only Oscar winning role.

C.K. Dexter-Haven Apr 27th 2010 11:42PM

Gregg,

Thanks...I knew it was somehow familiar, I just had the wrong star...lol
CK

WAYNE Apr 28th 2010 5:24PM

Is this Diana Ross house,she has her house up for sale in the same area

Spectacular Bid Jun 25th 2010 11:13AM

A proper 'shout out' to C.K. Dex for being well ahead of all the others with breaking the news on the buyer of this home. (Plus there is confirmation that the property was in essence flipped having just been sold in 2008, too)

The Wall Street Journal only documented the sale June 24, 2010! So a month ahead of the curve with the insider info ;> From their account:

"A company linked to designer Tommy Hilfiger has bought a Greenwich, Conn., mansion for $31.375 million, the highest-priced sale in Greenwich this year, according to brokers.

The eight-bedroom stone home, which covers more than 10,000 square feet, was originally listed for $33 million. The home is located on a 22.4-acre walled estate called Round Hill that has two gated driveways, a tennis court and a guest cottage as well as views of Manhattan and Long Island Sound.

There's also a pool, a greenhouse, gazebos and English gardens, according to the listing. Janet K. Milligan of Sotheby's International Realty represented Mr. Hilfiger, who declined to comment through Ms. Milligan.

The property was purchased through John Street LLC, of which Mr. Hilfiger is listed as the principal, according to public records.

The seller was John V. Holten, whose business interests have ranged from food distribution to parking lots. He bought the estate for $30 million in 2008. Louise Andrén, also of Sotheby's, represented Mr. Holten, who didn't respond to requests for comment."

"Wayne' asked if this was the estate of Ms. Diana Ross. No, her property - no longer on the market and rented out - is in the Belle Haven section of Greenwich. The estate once a showcase farm of the Reynolds tobacco-family, then later owned by the actor who played "The Joker" on the Batman tv show, was recently given a reduction in its assessment. Ms. Ross claimed it is in poor shape and very dated inside .. hence she was given a slight tax break.