Extraordinary Properties

T he Impressionist art movement, which celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2024, is associated with city scenes as much as it is with natural landscapes. But nothing is more evocative of its spirit than Claude Monet’s beautiful garden in Giverny, France.

Monet is famous for capturing the Saint-Lazare station in Paris, Rouen’s mighty cathedral and even London’s Houses of Parliament, but he also painted snow-covered country lanes and poppy fields in Normandy, and sun-bathed gardens in the south of France. A passion for nature eventually caught up with this city dweller, leading him to move just outside of Paris, where he planted the garden that became his sole source of inspiration.

Private gardens today similarly offer the perfect spot to avoid the hubbub of urban life.

Brook Hollow Farm is located just an hour out of Manhattan, in Bedford, New York. The 48-acre estate, founded in 1928, centres around a three-floor manor characterised by high ceilings and blue stone terraces, which have been recently renovated. This exceptional property features a pool, tennis court, guest cottage, three one-bedroom apartments above the garage, a glass-walled pavilion, and a former barn converted into a state-of-the art gym. The surrounding gardens have also been reimagined by landscape designer Miranda Brooks, who studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. The result: a painter’s delight.

Also in New York is the historic Lands End Manor. This spectacular waterfront residence is located within Oyster Bay, Nassau County, in the pretty village of Lattingtown, which boasts its own sandy beach. A former working farm transformed over time, the 32-acre property has only had two owners, and its pastoral grounds were designed by the “father of landscape architecture” Frederick Law Olmsted. These include a fragrant English garden with a charming cherub fountain, a rose garden and wall fountain, a herb and vegetable garden, grape vines, and an orchard of apple, pear, peach and fig trees. Manicured lawns encircle the central eight-bedroom colonial house, while the patios of the adjacent pool house overlook an ornamental garden and wisteria-covered gazebo. The grounds also contain a six-bedroom outbuilding, five-stall heated stable attached to two caretaker cottages, a four-bay garage and every gardener’s dream: a greenhouse.

Another personal Eden sits in Belgium, just 30 minutes from Antwerp. The 36.67-acre domain is located in the Zoerselbos forest and nature reserve, ideal for walkers eager to disconnect from city living. The property’s long private driveway leads to an 18th-century castle surrounded by gardens carefully manicured in the French style. The main residence of 11,600 sq ft – which includes an immaculate attic – has been refurbished with a modern touch. Next door stands a coach house, open plan at ground level with a guest apartment on the first floor. Take in the on-site tennis court and you have match point.

In Jackson Hole, a beautiful valley at the base of the Teton range in Wyoming, the Montana-based architecture firm JLF & Associates has designed an enchanting new residence, stretching to a generous 8,713 sq ft but imbued with all the charm of cottage living. The main house has four bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, two powder rooms, an office, wine cellar, laundry and, notably, a flower room, for nature is welcome everywhere on the premises – inside and outside. The house’s masonry stone construction stands in a 4.94-acre landscape dotted with perennial flower beds and a pond, all set on the edge of Tucker Ranch’s lake where a winding path leads down to the banks of the Snake River.

Château des Alpes is nestled in the heart of Cap d’Antibes on the French Riviera, where Claude Monet, travelling with fellow painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, developed his “palette of diamond and jewels”. This fully renovated three-level property includes a three-suite guest house, swimming pool, tennis court, and eight-car garage. But the standout feature is the surrounding 2.4-acre park, planted with Lebanese cedars, lush bougainvillea, and some of the last Phoenix Canariensis palm trees in the region, as well as a fine Japanese garden. Also on the estate is a 200 sq m waterfront villa with private access to the Garoupe beach, whose shimmering waves the Impressionists would surely have loved to capture.

Located in the quiet and green area of the Zoerselbos domain, this 900 sq m castle dates back to the 18th century, but has been renovated with highly modern finishes. The entrance hall, with its authentic wooden staircase, leads to various large living spaces, currently used as office areas.

The property transitions from work to pleasure on the first floor, including a living room with fireplace, dining room and fully equipped kitchen, as well as bedrooms, including the master suite, complete with bathroom and dressing area. The second floor is home to a billiard room and an exhibition space, as well as rooms that can be used as office space or bedrooms. The attic has been transformed for modern living, with fitted closets and generous storage.

A coach house sits next to the castle with an apartment on the first floor. The grounds are complete with a well-manicured French garden, a tennis court with clubhouse and separate visitor parking.

This estate, set in a picturesque environment, has easy access to nearby Antwerp and the Netherlands.

€4,450,000

Property ID: VBTGD3
sothebysrealty.com
Brabant Sotheby’s International Realty
Veerle Viérin +32 475 32 57 37

Located in the heart of Cap d’Antibes, near the beaches, this fully renovated property is set on a park of more than 10,000 sq m. The main house, built on three levels, includes a large reception, dining room, five bedrooms with bathrooms, an office and gym. This property is an ideal setting for guests with a separate house composed of three suites, a sauna, hammam and massage room. Enjoy outdoor activities in nicer weather with a swimming pool, tennis court and an eight-car garage.

Delight in the sun and shores of the Garoupe beaches with a separate waterfront villa included with this property, featuring its own living room, dining room, three bedrooms and private swimming pool.

$49,450,549

Property ID: J5SWGJ
sothebysrealty.com
Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty
Frédéric Barth +33 4 92 92 12 88
 

Brook Hollow Farm is a captivating retreat nestled in the town of Bedford, New York. The 48 acres of grounds and gardens – recently reimagined by noted landscape designer Miranda Brooks – embrace the main house, six outbuildings, a new tennis court and 72ft pool. The current owner’s renovation has blended quality craftsmanship, timeless architecture and modern amenities into a residence designed to cater to the needs of a contemporary lifestyle, while preserving the classic charm of the 1920s house.

The main house offers seven bedrooms, eight full and four half baths, a great room with a floor-to-ceiling stacked-stone fireplace and a bespoke kitchen with a towering skylight. There is a guest cottage with three bedrooms and baths, as well as three one-bed apartments above the garage and a pavilion that opens up to a wisteria arbour and octabarn.

A former barn has been transformed into a fully equipped gym with a ballet bar, aromatherapy room and full bath. Survey all that is offered by this property via the trail that winds around it, past the charming 1920s writer’s cottage – one more element of an incomparable lifestyle so close to New York City.

$29,500,000

Property ID: QT9XSN
sothebysrealty.com
Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage
Fran Ehrlich +1 203 249 5561

Overlooking the rugged landscape of the Teton Range, this 8,713 sq ft residence is as charming and romantic as an English cottage. Designed by JLF & Associates and built by On-Site Management, its masonry stone construction stands out in the valley with its uniqueness and beauty.

The 4.94 acres of landscaped grounds include a private lake, flower gardens and a pond, all set on Tucker Ranch’s lake where a walking path leads to the banks of the Snake River. The residence features four bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms, plus two powder rooms, an office, wine cellar, laundry room and flower shop.

Enjoy easy access to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Teton National Park, Teton Pass and its innumerable hiking and biking trails, as well as to all of Wilson, Teton Village and Jackson’s amenities. 

$22,500,000

Property ID: KGJQYS
sothebysrealty.com
Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty
Tom Evans +1 307 413 5101