GRACIOUS LISTOWEL WATERFRONT ESTATE
Step into a wonderland of style, craftsmanship, and elegance to picture yourself in one of the most coveted estates in the Hamptons.
There is little to be said of the Hampton’s neighborhoods that comprise Water Mill that hasn’t been said before. Counting Mecox Bay and the Atlantic Ocean among its neighbors, tree- lined lanes as old friends and an elegance that can only be described as classic. It’s easy to see why this tony enclave is so perennially popular. Despite such lauded expectations though, Water Mill does still have a surprise or two under her belt – and the estate known as Listowel is one of the most glittering.
Surrounded by more than 125-acres of sprawling farmland, with an interior pond and the bay beyond adding to the already breathtaking view. Listowel is a sparkling gem that pays homage to a casual, elegant, exclusive lifestyle, where understated glamour plays a starring role. Built in 2008, Listowel is the masterwork of an impressive collection of design talent that includes the architecture of Kathleen McCoy, the craftsmanship of Men at Work builders, the inimitable landscape architecture of Quincy Hammond, Daniel Romualdez’s interior design, sumptuous wall finishes by Torie Burke and a palate of inspired color choices by Donald Kaufman. “The home itself is of incredible quality and architectural design.
The craftsmanship displayed therein is pure artistry and the way the interior walls and windows frame the views allows the light to reflect the outdoors like a frame from a camera or an exquisite painting,” explains distinguished and exclusive broker Tim Davis, Licensed Associate RE Broker for The Corcoran Group Real Estate.
Arriving at the estate through its resplendent gated entrance, guests are immediately greeted by the striking landscape. Graceful trees shade the spacious lawns with their aged canopies, meticulously groomed gardens seem to burst with a cacophony of white roses, and geometric patterns carve classically laid out pathways. Clad in cedar, the estate is alive with depth and interest. Seven stone chimneys rise from the valley of peaks that create the dramatic roof line, round mullioned windows that peer onto the landscape beyond. Designed to bring into focus impressive water views beyond, Listowel possesses a site line that cuts through its spaces to marry the home with its marvelous surroundings, offering a view that is at once thrilling, majestic and inviting.
With an impressively gracious 12,000 sq. ft. of living and entertaining spaces, Listowel is the perfect setting for entertaining and family life. A 3,000-volume library greets guests as they enter the soaring, two story entry anchored by the fireplace and grand staircase. The library is adjacent to a large living room, equally impressive in its attention to detail. Clad in hardwoods stained to emphasize the depth of the grain and waxed to introduce a soft gleam to the walls, the library is a memorable entry space where the style of a proper English club seems to artfully collide with a well-honed modern aesthetic. Here, intimate conversation areas reside within a large space featuring a fireplace and three sets of French doors that open to the expansive covered porch beyond. Also, on the main level of the home, a smoking room with a beautiful bay window, access to the home’s eastern facing covered porch, a formal dining room with exquisite and unforgettable hand-painted chinoiserie wallpaper, French doors that deliver convenient access to the estate’s outdoor living spaces, and yet another fireplace to help set the romantic tone for a perfect dinner party. To make entertaining both large crowds and cozy gatherings even more pleasurable, there is a butler’s pantry that leads to a chef ’s kitchen that is nothing short of sigh- worthy. With coolly elegant marble floors and walls, the kitchen is a marvelously executed dream for the serious cook. Large, stainless steel islands offer seating for appreciative onlookers without compromising the space needed to create even the most ambitious menu. A walk-in pantry provides nearly infinite storage space and an army of commercial grade, top of the line appliances including one double Wolf range ensuring that even the simplest of meals is worthy of a constellation of stars. The masterpiece kitchen is adjacent to a large gathering room where four sets of French doors opening on to a trellis covered outdoor living room feature a wonderful stone fireplace as its focal point.
The offerings Listowel bestows on her upper level elevate the home even further in its singular distinction. A master suite encompasses the entire southern wing of the home and includes a space-inspiring vaulted ceiling, a fireplace, sitting area and glass paneled doors that lead to a west facing terrace with a brilliant kaleidoscope of views provided by the ever-changing moods of Mecox Bay into the afternoon sunsets. The master also offers a large, fully marbled bathroom that’s marvelously welcoming with radiant heated floors and boundless views across the farm fields that border the estate. Two large walkin closets complete the master domain with a level of dignified elegance and craftsmanship that is unparalleled – even within the most opulent of homes. The upper level of Listowel also affords accommodations through three additional ensuite bedrooms; all with vaulted ceilings, custom closets and fully marbled spa-like bathrooms. The impressive, romantic “Tower Study” with its crackling, wood burning fireplace and inspiring views completes the treasures to be found on the upper level.
Alluring as they may be, the charms of Listowel are not limited to those found in the main residence. The estate also boasts an extraordinarily unique ‘guest cottage’. Thoroughly private yet still attached to the main house, the guest quarters are reached through a hallway off Listowel’s kitchen. Featuring a stylishly informal living area with fireplace, the guest accommodations at Listowel also include painting studio, second floor ensuite bedroom and access to the private and secluded outdoor spa.
As the residents of Listowel, one may also expect to live life under a beautiful ever changing ceiling of sky. In addition to the views afforded by the bay, the dreamy afternoon sunsets, the estate’s own, freshwater pond, Listowel also offers the pleasure – both visual and literal – brought by a 20×45 foot custom pool featuring the minimalist beauty found within the minimalist, limestone coping and dark plastered interior – all the better to give the pool a reflecting quality. An allée of mature trees creates a naturalized, mirror image of the geometric pool to elevate the aesthetic from simply ‘grand’ to breathtakingly so. Indeed, the outdoor living spaces in their entirety are magnificently executed; offering the ideal balance of both form and function. Within the landscape, guests to Listowel can marvel at the 60-year-old apple trees,potager, flower cutting gardens, stone walls and gravel walkways the estate provides– all created in a classically English garden style and bordered by amazingly beautiful, bucolic farmland. A truly remarkable and historic location for a remarkable estate,” concludes Listing Broker Tim Davis. “A rare find indeed.”
