Denbrooke, A Storied Estate on the Bernardsville Mountain Denbrooke, situated high on the Bernardsville Mountain, is a shining example of Classic Revival architecture, featuring six soaring pillars capped by a two-story portico and graceful pediment. Built-in the early 1900s, one of the mansion's original residents was legendary New York philanthropist Brooke Astor. She employed noted architect Musgrave Hyde to make alterations to Denbrooke in the 1920s, and subsequent renovations have taken place within this expansive 9,800± square-foot mansion over the decades. Set on six-plus acres, the professionally landscaped and deer-fenced property offers extensive hardscaping, mature specimen trees, a perennial garden, and an oval swimming pool edged by new cool deck surfacing. Three finished
...read morelevels encompass nine bedrooms, seven full baths, and three powder rooms. The fenced entry reveals a tree-lined circular drive with a roomy side and back parking court. Finished in stone and stucco, the residence's traditional design features a columned front porch overlooking level front lawns, stone walls, established gardens, and rear bluestone terraces. Highlights of the gracious layout include tiger oak and wood floors, high ceilings, oversized windows and generously sized rooms. Introducing the floor plan is a grand entrance foyer designed with a mahogany staircase and access to the rear terrace bordered by stone walls and flower beds. A six-foot pocket door opens to the living room where a towering, beamed ceiling, built-in bookcases, a large wood-burning fireplace, and French doors to the rear terrace are featured. Tiger oak floors in the living room extend into the library, where another six-foot oak pocket door, deep crown moldings, custom oak paneling, built-ins, and a fireplace with a carved oak mantle are compelling design elements. Tall oak double doors in the library reveal the dining room lined with chair rails and windows; it also connects to the kitchen and butler's pantry. In the sunroom, window walls, a wet bar, and sliding doors to the rear terrace create a welcoming space filled with natural light. Updated in the 1990s, the chef's center island kitchen contains custom cabinetry, granite counters, a decorative tile backsplash, a window wall, and a combination of recessed, pendant, and chandelier lighting. A collection of paneled and stainless-steel appliances includes the Garland six-burner gas range with grill, a custom mantle-covered exhaust fan, two Dacor wall ovens, a Dacor warming drawer, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a separate Sub-Zero beverage refrigerator, and a Miele dishwasher. Even more prep and storage space is offered in the butler's pantry and walk-in pantry, including new and original cabinetry, built-in shelving, a desk area, sink, Miele dishwasher, dumb waiter, Whirlpool oven, and Kenmore Elite stand-alone refrigerator and freezer. Nearby is a mud room providing a half bath, 1st-floor laundry, storage, and access to the main staircase and dining/grilling terrace. The main floor also has an inviting family room with dual window seats, customized built-ins, and a rear staircase to the upper and lower levels. A home office/homework room and formal powder room complete the first floor. Upstairs, a grand primary suite is arranged with a fireside bedroom, French doors to a balcony, a dressing room offering dual walk-in closets, custom cabinetry, and two windows. The Suite is completed by a glamorous bath. This spa-like space has wood floors, a marble-topped double sink vanity, a jetted soaking tub, and a walk-in shower enclosed by frameless glass. This level also provides two ensuite bedrooms, each connected to a private bath, a fourth and fifth bedroom, two more full baths, and an office and a 2nd-floor laundry room. On the third level are four bedrooms and two full baths. Bonus living spaces include a spacious den with a fireplace and skylight, a sitting room, a game room, ample closets, and a large storage room, plus attic access. A walkout lower level contains a two-car garage, wine cellar, potting room/workshop, mudroom with multiple closets, powder room, mechanical room, and four storage rooms. Denbrooke in Somerset County's Bernardsville is about an hour from New York City and about 45 minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport. A network of major highways is nearby including Interstates 78, 287, and 202. There are Midtown Direct trains and bus service to Manhattan from the charming village of Bernardsville.
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