Sugar Hill, Ridgefield CT

Since 1939 some of New York City’s most talented and influential individuals have escaped to Sugar Hill to relax and enjoy the peaceful grounds and privacy of this beautiful estate. Perfect as a full time or weekend home, the sprawling 46.3 acres and 12,000 square foot Georgian masterpiece provide residents with five ensuite bedrooms, grand dining and living rooms, a library, study, indoor and outdoor pools, staff quarters, a greenhouse, a tennis court and a two-bedroom, two-bath guest house. As one of the largest private land parcels in Ridgefield, owning Sugar Hill presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for the discerning buyer.

Entering through wrought iron gates, a stately courtyard welcomes guests to the main house with cobblestones and an alee of trees. Flooded in natural light through the immense French doors lining the rear of the home, the living room was a favorite of Connecticut Congresswoman and activist Clare Boothe Luce and her husband – Time Magazine, Fortune and Sports Illustrated founder and publishing mogul Henry Luce – who graced the home from 1944 – 1966. If entertaining is more your style, the dining room is large enough to host fabulous dinner parties, and if more space is needed, you can easily use the adjoining conservatory.

The renovated kitchen provides ample room to prepare a gourmet meal during a large gathering but is comfortable enough for you to sit at the expansive island enjoying an intimate breakfast for two. Renovated over the years, the kitchen features professional appliances and is connected to the rest of the home by convenient hallways, easily allowing staff to circulate while entertaining. In fact, full staff quarters are accessed from here through a secondary back staircase. The quarters include multiple living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and a separate laundry. This suite of rooms could easily be renovated to provide a space for a gym, studio, home business or whatever else is desired.

Over the years, the library and adjoining study have been used as offices – most notably by the renowned rare book collector Hans P Kraus. While he lived here, these shelves held a Gutenberg Bible, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and even a first printing of the U.S. Constitution.

When the weather turns cooler, there is no need to give up an active lifestyle with the availability of an indoor pool and changing facilities, an exercise room and the accompanying solarium.

The upper level of the main home consists of four spacious ensuite bedrooms and a wonderful master suite with a huge balcony overlooking the undeveloped western front of the property, his and hers bathrooms and dressing rooms, and a corner fireplace for cozying up on cooler evenings. A media room/office and half bath round out the floor. A semi-finished, walk up attic provides additional space and currently contains multiple closets including a cedar closet plus built-in drawers and storage units.

A private 893 square foot cottage with its own driveway and garage sits near the entrance of the estate, perfect as a private residence for your caretaker, gardener, or long-term guest. The cottage’s graceful views of the main property and greenhouse come with two cozy bedrooms, a small kitchen, two baths, a laundry, and a sitting room with a fireplace. From the sitting room, one can step out under a beautiful white pergola onto the Vermont slate patio for a relaxing evening after a day’s work.

It is impossible to relay in words the beauty of the manicured lawns, sculptural highlights, perennial gardens and mature woods that envelope this residence. The stone path from the slate patios surrounding the main residence lead up a rolling hill to the heated pool and lighted tennis court tucked away for privacy. The unique pavilion, hedges, and grand awning provide a perfect setting for relaxing on a beautiful New England day or for enjoying the spectacular sun setting over the nearby New York hills. For the car aficionado there is an attached 3-car heated garage, a two level 5-car heated garage adjacent to the main house, and an additional workman’s/landscaping 2-car garage and shed for a total of 11 covered parking spaces.

Across the street from the wrought iron entrance of Sugar Hill sits 10+ acres of land donated by the late Ms. Szymanska, and currently preserved by the Conservation Land Trust. This generous gift has ensured that Sugar Hill will remain a protected estate, free from development outside its front door and a wildlife sanctuary and friend to the beautiful nearby Bennetts Pond Park.