LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
ESTATES
ENCHANTING
COUNTRYSIDE RETREAT
A beautiful country compound on 11.96 picturesque acres atop Bernardsville Mountain. Ideal for those in search of a peaceful retreat while moments to boutique shops, restaurants, cultural attractions, golf courses, and equestrian facilities.
329 Mendham Rd, Bernardsville, New Jersey
$3,499,000
SARAH CARBONE
This magnificent estate on Bernardsville Mountain, accessed by a private road, is its own secluded world of luxury intermingled with history yet only moments to Bernardsville town center and within an hour to Manhattan. The compound comprises a four-bedroom main residence, two-bedroom carriage house, pool, and tennis court.
The serene 12-acre setting, at the top of the mountain, is dotted with ancient oaks and other old-growth trees, lawns crisscrossed by post-and-rail fencing, landscaped beds and plantings around the pool and terraces. A charming gazebo is the tennis hut for the Har-Tru court, while a large koi pond tucked near the carriage house is a space for quiet contemplation. Lawns slope down to perimeter woodlands, encircling this self-contained haven.
A two-year expansion and renovation of the house and carriage house was completed about ten years ago, incorporating the original 100-year-old section of the main house into approximately 10,000-square feet of stunning living space. Masterminded by the architect Peter Burke, the two homes were attached and transformed from top to bottom into a finely crafted and magnificently appointed family compound.
Wonderful architectural details define the main house, from the hipped rooflines reminiscent of French country style to the gallery hall with custom windows overlooking a stone courtyard/sculpture garden. Light streams into the interior through multiple sets of French doors, skylights and clerestory windows, and glassed hallways.
The historic bones of the house were preserved and replicated, evident in the exposed beams, extensive hardwood flooring, and three wood-burning fireplaces. The family room, with an imposing floor-to-ceiling fieldstone fireplace, retains its original wide-plank floors and beamed ceiling. The walk-in pantry, now refurbished, dates to the early 1900s. A striking detail of the formal dining room is the original leaded-glass side lights and crescent window on the French doors opening to the rear patio.
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In the kitchen, top of the line appliances from Sub-Zero, Viking, Fisher Paykel, and Miele are a counterpoint to the wonderful breakfast room with a built-in banquette, whose windows overlook the pool and patio. There is slate flooring, granite countertops, and stunning custom cabinetry.
The first-floor primary suite, with custom built-ins, window seat, walls of windows, and custom outfitted walk-in closets, is noteworthy for its nine-foot tray ceiling and French doors to a screened porch. Heated stone tiles were selected for the flooring in the bathroom, where limestone countertops and custom wood vanities make a subtle statement.
The spectacular lower level of the house has a 1500-bottle wine cellar with adjacent lounge that is serviced by a fully equipped built-in bar. Basketball aficionados will revel in the 26-foot-high indoor climate-controlled 3-point court on this level.
On the second floor, in addition to three large en-suite bedrooms, loft with full bath and laundry, a long hallway leads to a wing with an exercise room/studio with putting green as well as a home office.
Adjoining the main house is the spacious three-level, two-bedroom carriage house, where the theme of tradition meets deluxe continues. The living room and dining rooms both have dramatic 20-foot ceilings with exposed trusses. Elements such as the mahogany front door with sidelights and stone fireplace in the living room are reminders of the century-old roots of the house. So too is the wood-themed kitchen with wide-plank flooring, natural wood custom cabinetry, and a hand-hammered copper farmhouse sink.
Complementing these are the accoutrements of today’s fine living: a sumptuous primary suite with heated floor and honed limestone in the bathroom; a Miele build-in expresso maker in the kitchen; and on the lower level, accessed by an elevator, a 5,000-bottle mahogany wine cellar with separate wine-tasting room. A spacious study with cherry cabinetry overlooks the koi pond and grounds. The loft area of the carriage house has a pretty studio bedroom with a window seat, ample closets, and a full bath.
Both the carriage house and the main house open to the Gunite pool, surrounded by travertine stone. A shaded Pergola area, grilling station with ice chest, and outdoor sound system contribute to the resort-like ambience of this lovely area, bordered by cascading plantings.
While offering the ultimate in privacy and seclusion, this exceptional listing is just minutes from the lively, historic town of Bernardsville, where you will find everything from fine dining choices to a weekly farmers market to yoga and spin studios. The surrounding county of Somerset is sought after for its equestrian facilities, nationally ranked golf courses, and excellent public and private schools.
329 Mendham Rd, Bernardsville, New Jersey, 07924 is offered at $3,499,000.
To schedule a private showing or for more details, please contact:
Debra Ross
Kienlen Lattmann Sotheby’s International Realty
454 Main Street, Bedminster, NJ
M: +1 908.285.0666
O: +1 908.719.2500
E: debra.ross@sothebysrealty.com
W: www.BernardsvilleCountryEstate.com