Le Beau Chateau.
Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
A French-Style Manor in Connecticut, Once Owned by a Copper Heiress, Lists for $25.5 Million
Nestled within the leafy suburb of New Canaan, the 52-acre property called Le Beau Chateau was originally built in 1937 and has an antique granite pool, tennis court, and exercise pavilion
The home was first built in the 1930s. Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media.
A grand French manor-style estate set on 52 acres has quite the lore. Called Le Beau Chateau, the residence was first built in 1937 and is nestled within the leafy and suburb of New Canaan, Connecticut. Situated on a large parcel of land filled with rolling hills, open meadows, and verdant woodland, the ultra-private home 50 minutes outside of New York City has been renovated and updated, yet still retains an old-world charm. Now, it’s listed for $25.5 million.
In 1951, reclusive and eccentric heiress Huguette Clark, daughter of copper tycoon William A. Clark, purchased this estate as a refuge for family and friends during the Cold War in the event of a Russian attack in New York. However, it sat empty for nearly 63 years before her death in 2011 at the age of 104. The heiress never furnished or lived in the home, but had it expanded, renovated, and looked after by a caretaker during her tenure. Strangely enough, this was just one of her three empty mansions. When husband-and-wife duo Reed Krakoff, Creative Chair at John Hardy, and Delphine Krakoff, founder of Pamplemousse Design, purchased the home in 2014, it was in great condition but needed some restorations and modern updates.
The dining room. Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
There’s a main residence, which spans nearly 14,300 square feet; a 1,096-square-foot caretaker’s cottage with two bedrooms; and a 1,296-square-foot guest house that has been turned into a gym. In total, there are nine bed suites, 10 full baths, and four powder rooms.
The couple embarked on a years-long renovation to update the home for 21st-century living. According to The Wall Street Journal, they spent more than $10 million on the restoration, which included updating the systems and appliances and adding a bevy of luxe amenities, including a 60-foot antique granite pool, a tennis court, playroom-turned-media room, and private jogging trails within the property. The granite pool was inspired by the ponds in Central Park. The couple, who now have grown children, also added a third-floor lounge, lower-level media room, and more bedrooms. They remained, however, committed to honoring the original design intention of the home, keeping much of the flooring, windows and doors, moldings, and fireplaces.
Every room has a serene vibe with an updated modern aesthetic. Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
A winding driveway leads to the home’s cobblestone entry area. Inside, it’s filled with natural light thanks to oversized windows and soaring ceilings. Every room has a serene vibe with an updated modern aesthetic, though the couple retained its warmth with natural textures, wood floors, and elegant furnishings. The main level houses several living areas, most of which have fireplaces, as well as a formal dining room, modern kitchen, contemporary library, and an office. Delphine, who grew up in France, honored the original aesthetic with French-inspired furnishings and finishes. Grand chandeliers, marble floors, and arched doorways make it feel plucked from the French countryside. Each bedroom feels like a mini apartment, with high ceilings, fireplaces, and Juliet balconies. The rooms each have its own design flair with vibrant printed wallpaper and varying styles of furniture. No two rooms feel uniform, but the home has a cohesive nature. While the art collection doesn’t come with the house, large-format works of contemporary art decorate nearly every room.
Le Beau Chateau is listed for $25.5 million by Mary Higgins and Rob Johnson of Brown Harris Stevens.
See more photos below:
The library. Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
The living room. Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
Bath suite. Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
The home has nine bedrooms. Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
The stairway. Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
The home gym. Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
The pool. Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
The tennis court. Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
Cover: Le Beau Chateau.
Photo: James Gagliardi of Modern Media
More from Galerie
