Fawn Hill Farm, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Nov 1st 2010 at 1:01PM

Fawn Hill Farm, a Colonial estate with a working farm across 34 acres in New Vernon, New Jersey, will sell at a live, on-site auction on November 12 through Concierge Auctions. The property was once listed in its entirety for $22.5 million. The property has been divided into three parcels which are each selling absolute to the highest bidder regardless of price. The auction is being conducted in cooperation with listing agent Mary Horn of Weichert Realtors.

"This is one of the most premier and unique properties in all of New Jersey," Horn stated. "Nestled in the idyllic countryside, it's a serene retreat, while a mere 45-minute commute to the boundless amenities, business and entertainment of New York City."

The three parcels are 665 Spring Valley Road, which includes 16 acres with the main estate residence; 655 Spring Valley Road, which includes 13 acres plus a caretaker home and stables; and 677 Spring Valley Road, which includes four acres of land.

The main residence was originally built in the late 1930s and has 21 rooms including seven bedrooms. The home's interior has pegged hardwood floors, arched doorways, a grand Georgian staircase and seven distinctive fireplaces. The 33-foot-high foyer leads to an elevator that goes to the second floor with bedrooms and bathrooms. Rooms include formal living and dining room, a gourmet kitchen, breakfast nook, library with a wet bar, his-and-her dressing rooms in the master suite and a lower level media/exercise room complete with a bar and full-sized bowling alley.

The grounds are also home to a two-bedroom guest house, formal garden and a side patio overlooking a garden retreat with a swimming pool and pool house. The nearby motor courtyard has 12 bay garages. The live, on-site auction of Fawn Hill Farm will be held on November 12. The property is open for preview daily from 1 to 4 p.m. and by appointment. For details visit FawnHillAuction.com or call 800-211-1785.

Gallery: Fawn Hill Estate

Tags: concierge auctions, fawn hill farm, new jersey, new jersey real estate, new vernon

Filed under: Estates, Auctions

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

maximusdog Nov 1st 2010 3:42PM

love the ford truck in the pic...every farm in America has at least one...

Spectacular Bid Nov 2nd 2010 10:07AM

This is the former Kirby family estate. Fred Kirby was a PA-based five and dime store owner who did a joint venture with C.S. Woolworth then later they merged with C.S's brother, F.W. Woolworth. The Kirby family then acquired and built up Allegheny Corp holdings from railroad interests to title insurance.

Interestingly the property seems very similar to something the Van Sweringen brothers would've built for themselves or in their development of Shaker Heights, OH. Allegheny Corp had been created and controlled by the Van Sweringen brothers however they lost the company in receivership in 1934.

The Kirby family sold this property in the early 1980's and its a lovely stone farmhouse and farmette offering. It was used this summer as a decorator showcase home - as is often the case - to generate traffic and effectively soft sell the property. The original price is off the charts and you can see why it languished for as long as it did.

Breaking up the offering into three parcels and doing the auction is the quickest way to liquidate the property. I suspect the proceeds from the auction as a whole won't exceed $7M.