Angling to take advantage of a heated property market, a stone castle in Greenwich, Connecticut, is set to hit the market Monday for $11.8 million—$2 million more than it was last asking.
Known as Freestone Castle or Hemlock Castle, the residence was built in 1913 in the style of an 18th-century Edwardian country estate. It boasts 14 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms and eight wood-burning fireplaces across its three residences. It sits on 4 acres.
“Every detail—from the resplendent architectural elements and grand scale of the main rooms to the enchanting and impeccably maintained gardens and grounds—is evocative of a bygone era, when the gentry spent their days fox hunting and their evenings dining at lavish tables set with the finest appointments,” according to the listing with Stephanie Bo Li of the Grace Chang Team at Douglas Elliman.
The property first hit the market in January 2021 for $9.85 million, and was then removed in October, listing records show. It was last sold for $5.5 million in 2017, according to records with PropertyShark.
“The Hemlock Castle is the largest castle in Greenwich and was designed by the famed architect, James C. Green,” the agent said in an email. “This fieldstone constructed property is not an ordinary, conventional home that can be easily replicated today. According to a recent insurance valuation assessment, rebuilding this estate today would cost approximately $15 million.”
The castle was once owned by Harry H. Frazee, a theater producer and the owner of the Boston Red Sox in the early 20th century, the listing said. Frazee is infamous for trading Babe Ruth to the Yankees for $100,000 in 1919. It has been restored by the current owner, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Behind a gated entry and tree-lined drive, the roughly 13,500-square-foot main residence starts with a cobblestone courtyard and porte-cochere, the listing said. The double-height marble foyer leads to a butterfly staircase and a living room with a central fireplace floor-to-ceiling windows—a more modern update on the Edwardian style, which often has small windows.
There’s also a chef’s kitchen with a breakfast nook and a formal dining room with space for a table for 20, according to the listing. Vintages for a stately dinner—or a pizza night—could be pulled from the 10,000-bottle wine cellar.
The main bedroom suite is on the third floor, and features a sitting area, a dressing room and several walk-in closets and a bathroom with dual vanities, according to the listing. It overlooks the grounds and gardens.
Other amenities include a wood-clad study with a wet bar, a sun-lit music room, a modern home theater and an Asia-inspired tea room. Outside, there are several loggias, walking trails, a tennis court and gardens.
The “spacious and sunny” three-bedroom carriage house has a kitchen, plus living and dining rooms, the listing said. Next door, the staff apartment has an additional three floors of living space, with a total of four bedrooms.
Although it has the privacy and space of a country estate, it is only about a mile away from the luxury shops and cafes of Greenwich Avenue and a 45-minute train ride to Manhattan.
Article Source: Mansion Global
