LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
ESTATES
THE HITCHCOCK ESTATE:
A LEGACY
IN LAYERS
A rare and storied Hudson Valley estate, 45 Hitchcock Lane spans 2,078 acres of pristine landscape, architectural pedigree, and cultural legacy—where Gilded Age grandeur meets 1960s counterculture mystique.
45 Hitchcock Lane, Millbrook, New York
$65,000,000
KATHERINE GANNON
Nestled amid 2,078 acres of unspoiled forest, glacial lakes, and open meadows, The Hitchcock Estate at 45 Hitchcock Lane is not merely a property—it is an American epic. Situated in the storybook town of Millbrook, New York—just 90 minutes from Manhattan—this extraordinary estate blends Gilded Age opulence, mid-century mystique, and natural beauty into one of the most compelling private properties ever to come to market.
The estate’s origins trace back to 1889, when industrialist Charles F. Dieterich began assembling five farms into a singular vision of rural grandeur. Over a century later, his creation remains intact—an exceedingly rare occurrence in the Hudson Valley, where time and development have often carved great estates into fragments. But not here. Here, the past has been preserved like fine parchment, protected by just four owners in over 130 years.
At the heart of the property lies a commanding 14,706-square-foot Victorian mansion designed by famed architect James E. Ware. Towering four stories, the residence is wrapped in a sweeping veranda and crowned with whimsical turrets. Inside, soaring ceilings, ornately carved wood paneling, stained-glass windows, and grand fireplaces speak to an era when craftsmanship was an art form. Modern updates are woven in with subtlety and care, preserving the soul of the structure while quietly elevating comfort.
A short distance away, the architectural conversation shifts. A 10,000-square-foot Mediterranean bungalow by Addison Mizner—renowned for his work in Palm Beach—introduces a different rhythm, with sun-washed terraces and breathtaking views over the estate’s private lakes and gardens. Together, the two homes create a rare architectural dialogue: one rooted in 19th-century New York refinement, the other channeling the romance of old-world Europe.
Supporting this grand narrative is a collection of charming outbuildings: a Bavarian-style gatehouse that feels plucked from a storybook; a stone bowling alley that echoes with laughter of parties past; a carriage house with guest apartments; a caretaker’s cottage; equestrian buildings; barns; and even a former tennis pavilion. Every structure on the land contributes to the atmosphere of an inhabited legacy—one built to be lived in, explored, and passed down.
But perhaps the most unexpected chapter of the estate’s history unfolded in the 1960s, when it became a haven for counterculture thought. Between 1963 and 1968, the Hitchcock family—then stewards of the estate—welcomed psychologist and psychedelic pioneer Timothy Leary to host writers, musicians, academics, and activists within the estate’s boundaries. For five vibrant years, the property became a crucible for radical experimentation, bridging its industrial-era roots with a new wave of intellectual and spiritual curiosity. That chapter adds not just historical weight, but cultural resonance. It is exceedingly rare to find a property where both Park Avenue lineage and 1960s rebellion are equally at home.
Today, 45 Hitchcock Lane remains one of the most significant intact estates in the Northeast. With two shimmering lakes spanning 45 and 60 acres, extensive hay fields supporting a self-sustaining cattle farm, and vast woodlands offering complete seclusion, the estate is a sanctuary as much as it is a statement. Frontage on four separate roads provides both access and privacy—a paradox only an estate of this magnitude can offer.
Priced at $65 million and presented by Heather Croner of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, this is more than an investment in land or architecture. It is a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to inhabit a legacy—where craftsmanship, counterculture, and conservation all live side by side.
This is not just a property with a story. This is a property with chapters—each one waiting for the next steward to turn the page.
For more information or to schedule a private showing, please contact:
EXCLUSIVELY REPRESENTED BY
Heather Croner
Associate Real Estate Broker
c 845.235.9680
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