A sprawling estate in the glacier-carved hills and gorges of central New Jersey keeps nature and privacy close. The home, built on 10 acres in a wooded area, is filled with bespoke details that suggest Old World craftsmanship and charm.
The scale of the 11,000-square-foot gated residence on three levels is impressive, but so is the Chester Township location. “You’ve got this gorgeous setting on a hillside and it backs to a massive woodland park,” says listing agent Molly Tonero of Turpin Realtors.
Called Kestrel Ridge, the hillside home outside the village of Pottersville in New Jersey's Chester ... [+]
It’s on the market for $6.5 million.
The original owners are downsizing and ready to sell the six-bedroom manor at 770 Pottersville Road. It was built in 1999 by architect Robert Zampolin of Zampolin & Associates and designer Robert So.
The 11,000-square-foot residence, built in 1999, was designed by architect Robert Zampolin of ... [+]
The owners spared no expense in creating an outdoorsy home that would meet their particular needs. “They wanted peace and quiet, and access to everything, and in New Jersey, that combination is sometimes hard to find,” Tonero says.
The result is a retreat reminiscent of a European hunting lodge with impeccable handcrafted wood and stone work inside and out. The facade, for example, is made of uncut stone pieces that were selected and fit into place.
A hand-carved spiral staircase and custom sculptures of birds set the tone in the two-story entry.
The two-story entry hall features a hand-carved spiral staircase and custom sculptures of birds as accents. (The owners nicknamed the estate Kestrel Ridge as a nod to the number of small hawks in the area.)
Above, elaborate corbels tower over the living room. Domed ceilings and walls of windows bring in natural light, highlighting views of the surrounding hills. “This is a home for somebody who recognizes the beauty of hand-crafted woodworking and it’s all through the house, on the trim and moldings,” Tonero says.
Elaborate corbels draw the eyes upward in the home's great room.
Inside rooms feature floors and walls made of natural stone and wood. The lower level was dedicated to family and entertainment space. It includes a den, a card room, a billiard room, a full bathroom, a bar area and a theater-style refreshment stand that leads to a 22-seat theater.
“In spite of its size, the house feels very personal; it’s very warm,” Tonero says. “You don’t feel like you’re in a massive house. You’re just walking through these beautiful spaces.”
Detailed woodwork and hardwood floors stand out in the formal dining room.
The primary suite takes up about a third of the first floor. The main bedroom has a fireplace, exercise room, double closets, double full baths as well as nearby sitting rooms/offices. Other bedrooms, two with fireplaces, are on the upper floor.
The chef’s kitchen has double islands designed for casual dining and entertaining. There’s also a separate pool complex with a pool, waterfall and stone terrace and a stone pool house that comes with its own kitchen, dining area, laundry, sitting area, bathroom and sauna. A separate three-room apartment is also part of the estate.
The chef's kitchen is equipped with two islands.
“It’s going to take a big personality person to feel comfortable in this house,” Tonero says. “You have to be able to feel comfortable with the size, and the handcrafted art. We’re looking for somebody very special, probably somebody who wants a retreat of some kind, maybe works in New York or wants an East Coast place to be.”
The estate is about 45 minutes from Manhattan by car (there’s also train service nearby). In terms of privacy, an adjacent wilderness area, Hacklebarney State Park, creates a natural boundary. It’s known as a local hiking and fishing venue. Also, the estate is located in Pottersville, a neighborhood in the township of just 8,000 people.
The home theater features rows of tiered seating and a snack bar.
M. Christine Mylod, also with Turpin Realtors, shares the listing.
Outside, the sprawling property has a separate pool complex with a pool, waterfall and stone terrace ... [+]
Ample patio space provides the prefect setting for outdoor entertaining.
