Though just two hours from New York City, Litchfield County, Connecticut is quintessential New England countryside, with winding lanes and covered bridges. Its town of Sharon is the third largest town in the State by dimension – 60 square miles – yet it remains the least densely populated. Somewhat of a best-kept secret, the town has captured the attention of artists, actors, philanthropists, and creative and cultural icons. Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe once called it home. Jasper Johns, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick reside here today.
Sharon is also home to Herrick House at 36 Herrick Road, a distinctive 51.3-acre compound currently listed for sale by Shaylene Neumann of Neumann Real Estate. The asking price is $11.995 million.
This magnificent estate was once owned by actor-director Frank Oz, and more recently, the home of Melva Bucksbaum, a renowned art patron and trustee to the Whitney Museum of American Art. She acquired the property in 2005 and enlisted the expertise of architect Steven Learner, interior designer Barbara Hauben Ross, and landscaping designer Deborah Nevins to reimagine the property, while preserving its 1920s-era craftsmanship and design details. The meticulous renovation spanned five years, creating a modern retreat.
The drive up to Herrick House is nothing short of dramatic. The gated entry opens to the private drive; lined with regal elm trees, it leads to the main house, an elegant three-bedroom colonial with generously proportioned rooms, replete with architectural and design character – custom moldings, eight fireplaces, wainscoting, paneled walls and tray ceilings. A Crestron sound system and Lutron lighting have been incorporated throughout the home.
Each of the public rooms – formal living and dining rooms, a parlor and game room – has French doors that open out to patios and gardens, ensuring easy and enchanting entertaining flow.
The second-level master suite at Herrick House is a true sanctuary, with a foyer, fireplace, private porch, two dressing rooms, an indulgent en-suite bath, and a private glass-enclosed office. The second level also affords a second office space, a kitchenette, media room, home gym, two additional bedrooms with en-suite baths, and a serene screened-in porch. A wine cellar, safe room, and tranquil in-ground pool are among the amenities. The house is equipped with sustainable, energy-efficient geothermal heating and cooling, and a commercial-grade generator.
In addition to the marvelous main house, the compound comprises six additional outbuildings – a pool house and library, a two-bedroom guest cottage, a fully restored 1936-era log cabin, a three-bedroom caretaker’s residence, a detached garage and office, and the 2009-added museum-quality art gallery – “the Granary.”
The contemporary 14,000-square-foot gallery is decidedly “state of the art,” with a humidity control system, waterless fire-suppression system, programmable window treatments, and security. The Granary has three levels, with a main gallery, and two smaller exhibition spaces. The lower level is equipped with 82 rolling painting screens, separate built-in storage flat works and additional sculpture storage. An oversized elevator connects the three levels. Though the Granary is ideally suited to art collections, it might also be leveraged for extensive wine or car collections.
The landscaping around the property provides a cohesive balance of manicured lawns, gardens, orchards and natural meadows. Lighted flagstone paths and gravel drives connect the main house to destinations around the compound.
Qualified buyers and their agents are invited to view a virtual tour and to contact the listing agent at 203-244-6080, shaylene@neumannrealestate.com. Additional listing information may be found at shayleneneumann.com and https://tours.ctplans.com/public/vtour/display/1604552?a=1