48 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield CT

Built in 1880 by renowned architect of the time, Charles B. Northrup, the home’s fascinating history includes summertime visits by a young Jackie Bouvier Kennedy when her aunt rented it as a summer residence. Today, Tower Cottage takes advantage of a fabulous in-town lifestyle providing easy access to all Ridgefield has to offer, including cultural amenities like the Prospector Theatre, the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, ACT of CT, the community dog park, Winter Garden ice rink, five-star restaurants, boutique shopping, spas, fitness centers and yoga studios, ball fields, and top-rated schools.

As the current owners point out, “Our favorite part of living here? We’re leaving less of a carbon footprint and living local by not being so reliant on our cars and at the same time raising our children to be more independent and self-reliant in the safety of the Ridgefield community. We are walking to school and enjoying the sport fields on our street, walking to a morning yoga class, the dog park, to meet friends for a juice, and picking up groceries at the local organic store. We attend shows at the Ridgefield Playhouse and Broadway-quality theater programs at ACT of CT.”

They continued, “And we use the van service to shuttle our family to and from the train into NYC for both business and pleasure. Supporting our local businesses and teaching our children that we can help the environment by making choices in how we live mean a lot to us.”

In addition, Tower Cottage is also an architectural treasure featuring original detailing and charm, yet perfectly suited for a modern lifestyle. Period details include: large pane sash windows with much of the original glass; solid wood doors; wood floors that frame the rooms; carved archways and columns; pocket doors; marble and glazed fireplaces with their original fire boxes and mantels; original door and window hardware; a tiger oak staircase; 10- foot ceilings on the first and second floors; an original beehive coal stove in the kitchen, and plaster walls and ceilings.

When refurbishing the original architectural details in this home every effort has been made to retain the original over replacement. These decisions were not based on economy, but rather in trying to preserve the original character, integrity and authenticity of the house. The impressive wrap-around porch – that really is a room unto itself – leads into a spacious front hall with well-proportioned rooms, fabulous flow, and four distinguished fireplaces. The new, gourmet kitchen features white custom cabinetry, Carrera marble countertops, a Bertazzoni stove, two wall ovens, separate SubZero refrigerator and freezer units, and the original coal stove. Other featured rooms include a formal dining room, formal living room, breakfast room, vaulted family room, butler’s pantry, library/office, two recreation rooms, and six bedrooms. The home features many colors by Farrow& Ball, while wallpaper highlights include Pierre Frey in the master bedroom, Sandberg (Swedish) in the oversized master walk-in closet, Colefax and Fowler in the back bedroom, Sanderson in the living room, and Ralph Lauren in the powder room. The magnificent heated gunite pool, beautiful gardens, specimen trees and sweeping lawns provide for an exceptional retreat in the heart of town.

Whether relaxing after a morning workout amidst the always-present breeze on the front porch, or enjoying an evening of entertaining framed by a gorgeous sunset, Tower Cottage is truly the definition of a Signature Property.