[UrbanQuest]

I here that this island estate in Greenwich is the most grand of all Greenwich estates. Anyone have any information about this palace? I bet it could fetch 100 million or more. You can view it on google maps, just go along the Greenwich shoreline in map mode and you'll see it labled.

[JayCT]

There are many grand and pricey estates along the shores of Greenwich. Horse Island looks like many others. What makes you think it is grander than those? Hard to tell much from a satelite photo. Jay

[jadedSOUL83]

If you drive by it and you grew up in a working class town like myself, your jaw will drop. My ex gf lives in New Canaan and when she took me to see those houses and we drove by Horse Island Estate, I was in awe. As for price, it will only fetch what someone is willing to pay for it. And, I for one, would not pay 100 million dollars for anything, no matter how rich I was.

[UrbanQuest]

Originally Posted by JayCT

There are many grand and pricey estates along the shores of Greenwich. Horse Island looks like many others. What makes you think it is grander than those? Hard to tell much from a satelite photo. Jay

I figured that since it is really the only one on it's own private island would have something to do with it.

[Glimmerglass]

Originally Posted by UrbanQuest

I here that this island estate in Greenwich is the most grand of all Greenwich estates. Anyone have any information about this palace? I bet it could fetch 100 million or more.

I've seen Horse Island - the estate was designed by an architect from Cooperstown, NY (Frank P. Whiting) in 1921 for the Townsend family. The stone Tudor estate is interesting but a tad eclectic for my taste.

A more beautiful (in my view) island estate was listed in recent years near Greenwich (Fairfield Co.) for $25M (and sold in 2006) - Caritas Island. Last owned by the grandson to Junius Spencer Morgan, Jr. It was formerly the residence of Anson Phelps Stokes Jr.. The four acre island with an 11,000 sq stone manor house, lovely lawn, trees, and accessed by narrow one-way road the house was exceedingly private.

Anyhow my point is if that didn't crack $30M in market price I cannot imagine Horse Island fetching more let alone anything in the $100M range.

There is an estate - Old Mill Farm - currently on the market for just under$40M and owned by actor Mel Gibson. The highest sale in Greenwich ever was in late summer 2004 for $45 million and that was an equestrian property within Conyers Farm.

Purportedly the late Leona Helmsley's estate of Dunnellen Hall on 40 acres will be listed for $125 million. Even that is a very dubious price point for the Northeast in my view.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Glimmerglass

[font=Arial][color=black]I've Purportedly the late Leona Helmsley's estate of Dunnellen Hall on 40 acres will be listed for $125 million. Even that is a very dubious price point for the Northeast in my view.

The Helmsley estate went on the market the other day for $125 million dollars. There are links to photos of it on the New York Post's web site. While it looks unbelieveable, I am not sure what makes it worth so much, but it is pretty nice. Jay

[Glimmerglass]

Originally Posted by JayCT

While it looks unbelieveable, I am not sure what makes it worth so much, but it is pretty nice. Jay

A valid question that could be asked for a lot of estates.

The build quality, appealing nature of the grand architecture, the volume of land around it affording exceptional privacy, and the infamous history all factor in. However a lot of other Greenwich homes can boast of the same - including Gibson's Old Mill Farm. I for one thought the sprawling stone Round Hill estate formerly owned by Joseph Hirschhorn on 23-acres with views of LI Sound (and marketed by the same agency as the Dunnellen Hall will be) was more attractive and grand. That was listed for $38M in late 2006.

Clearly its assumed by some experts that the pool of people with the resources to do so will pay a premium for something that we can't quite point to.

[Glimmerglass]

Originally Posted by Glimmerglass

I for one thought the sprawling stone Round Hill estate formerly owned by Joseph Hirschhorn on 23-acres with views of LI Sound (and marketed by the same agency as the Dunnellen Hall will be) was more attractive and grand. That was listed for $38M in late 2006.

Worth noting due to the timely nature - the above cited home just sold - and based upon the price it further gives support that the myth of the $100M market for mansions (even in Greenwich) is doubtful.

Kanye West to Sell Beverly Hills House - WSJ.com

The former home of Joseph Hirshhorn, who gave his name to a renowned Washington art museum, has sold for $30 million. One of the largest recent sales in the suburbs of New York City, the deal was 21% below the original asking price.

The hilltop English Norman-style manor house, built in 1939, has views of Long Island Sound and the New York City skyline. The seller had restored the house and land extensively, a person familiar with the deal said. Names of the buyer and seller couldn't be learned.

There are indoor and outdoor pools, two greenhouses, two master suites, a tennis court and a billiard room. The 23-room manor went on the market in mid-2006 for $38 million, according to broker-listing data. David Ogilvy of Christie's Great Estates had the listing.

It is quite a beautiful house: David Ogilvy & Associates: Round Hill with Breathtaking 180º Views of Long Island Sound

[ght4114]

Originally Posted by UrbanQuest

I here that this island estate in Greenwich is the most grand of all Greenwich estates. Anyone have any information about this palace? I bet it could fetch 100 million or more. You can view it on google maps, just go along the Greenwich shoreline in map mode and you'll see it labled.

My Grandfather purchased Horse Island in 1921. It had a 4 bedroom cottage on it at the time. I have an aerial photo of the island and home pre purchase. My Grandfather commissioned Frank Whiting to design the Mansion that is now there. My father was born there in 1929. You can read more about the home in the book titled "The Great Estates" which I believe you can get from the Junior League of Greenwich. Horse Island is the 7th or 8th house listed in a very lengthy volume of Greenwich Homes. You can see a recent aerial Photo of the property as it is now in the National Geographic February 2004 issue page 118.

[ctnovice]

Who owns it now?