The Last Remaining Private Estate In The Berkshires Hits The Market

With 26 rooms in an 11,748 square foot English manor house, Ethelwynde is the only remaining Great Estate of private residency in Lenox, MA. Surrounded by the Berkshire Mountains and set on over 31 beautiful acres, the house was originally designed by architect James Cameron Greenleaf. Now it is for sale for  $5,900,000.

In the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, the area was a magnet for wealthy families from Boston and New York who sought a quieter summer getaway than Newport or the Hamptons. As times changed, their grand “cottages” became museums, boutique hotels and luxury spas. Unique among them is Ethelwynde, which has remained in private hands since it was built in 1927.

Ethelwynde was originally built for Henri Monrad Braem, heir to the Cunard Steamship fortune and the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark. He gave the house its name: Ethel means “noble” and Wynde means “winding.” The home was later owned by Kate Winthrop, the daughter of Moses Taylor, a founder of Citibank and one of the wealthiest men in New York City in the 19th century. Kate Winthrop was a great hostess and a passionate gardener; much of the beauty that surrounds Ethelwynde is due to her efforts. The property’s impressive 100-year-old specimen tree collection is one of the prizes of her careful stewardship; it includes silver elm and copper beech trees, spruce, horse chestnuts, split-leaf maple, ginkgo biloba and silver poplars, all in close proximity to the house. 

The extensive acreage overlooks the Yokun Ridge and Catskill Mountains. Long lawns lead to walking and hiking trails, a pear tree orchard and English gardens.

The owner who bought the estate from Kate Winthrop replaced the original house with the stone manor we see today. Several families (Hammonds, Hunnewells, Schieffelins) owned the estate until 1975, when it was purchased by an engineering company who, for the next quarter century, made Ethelwynde its corporate headquarters. The European-born CEO commissioned a fountain with imported Carrera marble, which now graces the entry lawn of the mansion.

When purchased by the current owners in 2003, the mansion had all the finishes that one would expect in a corporate space: fluorescent lights, stark walls, temporary room divisions and peeling plaster. Employees who worked in the mansion wore heavy coats because the heating system was ineffective and had only one zone.

A three-year restoration and renovation program was implemented by the current owners with the goal of bringing the estate back to what it was, while thoughtfully and carefully leading it into the 21st century. Sheet rock partitions were removed to reveal original plaster walls and exceptional wood paneling. Layers of tile and concrete were painstakingly chipped away, exposing well-preserved hardwood. Crumbling ceilings were repaired, lead casement windows and original nickel and brass fixtures were restored. The kitchen was modernized. New mechanical systems were installed, heating and cooling system improved and the electrical service was upgraded.

The house has both grandeur and livability. The generously proportioned rooms include a 23’ x 34’ living room, library paneled in Purpleheart wood from the Amazon forest, banquet sized dining room and three-exposure conservatory. The grand staircase leads to seven second-floor bedroom suites, four with private baths and two that share a bathroom. On this floor are six additional bedrooms, as well as the grand master suite, which includes a dressing room and luxurious spa bath. 

The third floor has a gym, playroom, TV room and more. The laundry and wine cellar are located on the lower, or basement level.

“There is nothing like being there and feeling the history,” says Robin Kencel, the Compass Real Estate broker who is listing the property. “What’s really special about this house is the materials – they are simply unparalleled.

“Also,” she adds, “It is sited so that you can see two mountains from most windows of the house. You are totally secluded and private, but you can walk to Tanglewood.”

Tanglewood is the legendary summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Also located in the area are Jacob’s Pillow, a “Mecca of dance,” and Shakespeare & Company, one of the largest Bard-focused year-round festivals in the nation. 

Lovers of mid-century modern architecture find a special treat in the 1,800 square foot guesthouse. Designed in the 1950s by the architect husband of Alice of “Alice’s Restaurant,” it has two bedrooms, two baths, and is on a private 1.3-acre parcel with its own separate drive.

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.