'Ultra-Luxurious Tranquil Estate' With Gilded-Age Roots Hits Market For $6.99M

TUXEDO PARK, NY — A rare chance to own an "ultra-luxurious tranquil estate" known as "Brook Farm," set on six acres in Orange County's historic Tuxedo Park, is here for $6.995 million.

Known as America's first gated community and as the namesake for the formal tuxedo, Tuxedo Park was once a "playground" for Gilded Age tycoons such as J.P. Morgan and William Waldorf Astor, and members of the Vanderbilt family. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the village was built in the 1880s by tobacco heir Pierre Lorillard IV, and is known for its "historic residences, glacial lakes and pristine forests across 2,600 private acres."

According to the listing, by Richard Ellis of Ellis Sotheby's International Realty, Brook Farm "combines minimalist style and elegance with the serene aesthetic of an international retreat, drawing inspiration from Japanese design."

The 8,250-square-foot home has eight bedrooms, five bathrooms and four half-baths, and features a blend of glass, steel, wood, concrete and brick. Reclaimed 19th-century Beaux-Arts doors from Manhattan's Germania Bank, constructed during the Gilded Age, reflect "a deep respect for history and craftsmanship."

"Tucked behind Tuxedo Park’s famed stone gatehouse, Tuxedo Park is America's first gated community and a historic district," Ellis said. "Brook Farm, located past Tuxedo Lake and across a picturesque stone bridge, welcomes visitors to a sanctuary where minimalist design meets old-world prestige. This beautifully imagined and masterfully constructed estate embodies everything today's luxury buyers want: natural beauty, design-forward architecture, complete privacy and a historic pedigree. Brook Farm isn’t just a home; it's a lifestyle."

The home features 11-12-foot ceilings with archways and custom oversized industrial-like Hope brand steel windows, which create "light-filled spaces that are both striking and warm and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow."

In addition, there are radiant-heated baths; eight-zone heating and cooling; Nest-controlled smart systems; Italian lacquered cabinetry; and a full Gaggenau kitchen suite.

High-end resort amenities include a patio with a saltwater swimming pool and spa; a tennis court; a field for soccer and football; a private pond with a waterfall; and a one-third-mile private running path around the fenced property, which is next to a 49-acre preserve.

Ellis explained that the estate underwent a full, three-year reimagining, including expansion after the acquisition of an adjacent lot in 2018 to double the size of the home, which was taken down to its studs.

"This is a stunning example of modern construction that is architecturally significant without being ostentatious," Ellis said. "It's a home unlike any that has previously been offered for sale in this neighborhood."

"Meticulous attention was paid to every detail, and the effect is stunning," he added. "Contemporary architecture is blended with best-in-class commercial and residential technologies and grounded by custom, one-of-a-kind local craftsman features and luxury touches throughout."

With its own historic train station and direct access to Grand Central Station via rail, Tuxedo Park was a premier weekend destination for New York's elite. In fact, its exclusive appeal was so strong that private rail cars often brought them directly to its gates. Nowadays, NJ Transit service offers a 50-minute commute to Penn Station.

The home is zoned to the Tuxedo Union Free School District and property taxes are estimated to be $28,932 annually.