HISTORICAL SAMUEL SLOAN ESTATE

Built in 1864, the 16+ acre Samuel Sloan Estate was initially constructed for a railroad magnate and provided ultimate views of the Catskills, West Point Academy, and countryside along the Hudson River. While the breathtaking property has always been noted for its beauty and design, it is also a real estate treasure with remarkable Silver LEED® certification. The ingenuity of the modernization is both poignant and dynamic for a homeowner looking for a planet-friendly but luxurious setting.

The storied, fully renovated Philipstown estate is represented by Kenneth J. Moore, President of Classiques Modernes International Realty, who has listed it with Richard Phan of Douglas Elliman. “The first thing that hits you is its impressive scale. The original structure had ballrooms that needed to be adapted to today’s more intimate entertaining style. The volume remains magnificent. But the new residence now enjoys both formal and casual living spaces.”

A RARE GEM
The new Greek Revival facade features a two-story portico with imposing columns serving as the foreground to a full-width second-floor loggia. The sprawling interior spans approximately 11,800 livable square footage. The full-sized cellar and attic offer 10,000 square feet of supplementary amenity, storage, and utility spaces. Six bedrooms, six full and three half baths, and an entire floor allocated to entertaining and recreation ensure ample room for sumptuous living. The 3500 square foot carriage house may also be transformed into a three-story auxiliary house for guest and staff suites.

The home’s innovative Silver LEED® approved upgrades make it a rare gem even among best-in-class properties. “It strikes an ideal periodic balance,” observes lifestyle expert and Classiques Modernes co-founder, Loy Carlos. “This house pays homage to its history, is equipped with the conveniences and luxuries of today, while exhibiting great care for the future. It promotes an evolutionary and conscientious lifestyle.”

Unlike most restored estates, new modifications have made operations both economical and practical. This includes maintenance-free roofing that will last 100 years. In addition, an energy recovery ventilation system optimizes air quality, filters out particulates, and delivers fresh air throughout. A rainwater harvesting system captures water off the roof and retains it for landscape irrigation. Solar panels provide onsite renewable power. The house also has a design that addresses natural radon emissions.

Once known as Oulagisket, it has seen notable transformations. In 1910 Samuel Sloane Jr. and his wife Katherine redesigned the home (renamed Lisburne Grange) from its original Carpenter Gothic to Italianate. At the same time, Fletcher Steele, one of the 20th Century’s most glorified landscape architects, was commissioned to augment the surroundings with beautiful gardens and lookouts.

ENTER ANOTHER WORLD
Famous among remaining exterior structures include The Ruins, a forum-inspired area complete with columns and a weathered fountain which overlooks the newly built pool pavilion and the great lawn. But most unique of all is the 100-year-old swimming pool waiting to be restored or repurposed. “The grotto reminds me of Italian fountains and pools with water flowing from the dragon mouths at the top, down the edge over cupped hands, to the pool below,” says Moore. Adds Carlos, “Some say it reminds them of Hadrian’s pool in Tivoli. It’s not as large, but perhaps just as dramatic and breathtaking, considering where we are. It’s unforgettable.”

From entertaining to weekends away from New York City just an hour away, this estate–a stone’s throw away from Bear Mountain, Cold Spring, and many other destinations–offers so much for the nature-loving, environmentally-conscious homeowner. This historical mansion, modernized with LEED® Certified upgrades, is not just about improvement. It serves as a stepping-stone to the future of real estate. Info: asking price is $11.25 million.

For more information on the Samuel Sloan Estate, visit classiquesmodernes.com