KEAN ESTATE:  8 WINDERMERE COURT, LIVINGSTON NJ

At the intersection of history and transformation...this century-old Georgian-style stone mansion distinguishes itself as the original home to Congressman Robert W. Kean, father of Thomas Kean, the 48th governor of New Jersey, and at the time presided over 300 prime acres in Livingston; today Windermere Court holds a prominent place among New Jersey’s historical homes.

14 Bedrooms, 7 full and 4 half baths, 6 car tandem garage, 15 gas fireplaces, grand open spaces, soaring ceilings, custom moldings throughout, spectacular 5.14 acres property with tennis court and heated in-ground pool surrounded by Travertine terraces, and so much more.  Click here to see the MLS listing and photos for this home.  Additional information not found on the MLS can be found below.

VIRTUAL TOURS / INTERACTIVE FLOOR PLAN

Click here to access a virtual tour for this property:  8 Windermere Court Virtual Tour

In this virtual tour you will be able to walk through the home, see the floor plan, view additional photos of the property, arrange furniture using the floor planner and even view an area map.

PROPERTY OVERVIEW

In 1997, the home’s present owners embarked on a five-year transformation of the estate that has become an architectural tour de force…comprised of an elaborate confluence of unsurpassed detailing, lavish styling and artistic influences from all over the world.

Inside, no detail has been spared in its intricate craftsmanship, where Venetian plaster walls and delicate gold leaf friezes are set above hand-carved moldings and trims, and where inlaid mosaic marble floor designs, fluted Corinthian-style pillars, 24-karat bath fixtures and sinks, coffered, tray and domed ceilings serve as the backdrop for this grand home’s 30 rooms. There are no fewer than 15 gas-log fireplaces, 14 bedrooms, two stunning chef’s kitchens and a summer kitchen, an elevator to three floors, a grand reception hall that harkens back to the days of Versailles, and so much more.

Outside, the property sits at the highest point in Livingston, from where one can see for miles, with lovely sunset views captured on a clear evening. The mansion awaits the visitor at the end of a long drive and a circular parking court, creating a commanding presence and promising no less, elegantly framed by sprawling lush lawns embellished with a Grecian-style fountain, tennis court, heated in-ground pool, squash court and garden house. A heated six-car tandem garage with storage loft is de rigueur for the automobile aficionado.

Splendor is the hallmark of an impressive two-story reception hall that showcases a grand marble fireplace flanked by decorative columns and ornate 18th-century French detailing designed to impress the most discerning of dignitaries.

Anchored on herringbone hardwood floors and set beneath an ornate 13-foot high coffered ceiling with hand-carved detailing, the formal fireside living room graciously welcomes guests with a glass in hand from the marble-topped wet bar, while French doors usher them out to a covered palazzo and lush grounds dotted with lovely columned pergolas for the ultimate sunset cocktail hour.

A banquet-scale formal dining room with fireplace sets the tone for a lavish experience under a dramatic domed ceiling, with mosaic pattern inlaid banded floor, handsome wainscoting and Venetian plaster walls. Palatial fluted columns and twin recessed curio display cabinets add distinction.

The residence would not be complete without a 13-foot high library, clad in mahogany from floor to coffered ceiling with built-in bookcases and window seats, and bathed in the warmth of a rustic gas focal fireplace that would make the likes of Professor Higgins proud!

Upscale leisure living takes place in the beautifully appointed fireside media/family room where a state-of-the-art hidden screen and projector descend from the ceiling, enhanced with surround sound for the ultimate motion picture experience…the perfect respite for casual gatherings.

The formal kitchen is bright, open and airy and privately reserved for the homeowner. Conveniently located off the family room, this is the discreet heartbeat of the home, featuring marble floors, ornate friezes and recessed cove ambient lighting. An open concept breakfast area with a gas fireplace is surrounded by six sets of Palladian-topped double doors that lead to a terrace with stone balustrade for extended al fresco dining. Idyllic views of the pool and fountain create a paradise for the senses.

The butler’s kitchen, one of two magnificent chef’s kitchens, is located at the rear of the home, with elevator access to the lower level and second floors. Grand in scale and a designer showcase, the kitchen features a distinctive tray ceiling, granite countertops and marble floors, lacquered custom cabinetry, and professional-grade appliances (many of which come in two’s). A massive seated center island with decorative corbels makes a dramatic statement.

A sun-drenched solarium/formal breakfast room off the kitchen has marble floors, high ceilings, decorative columns and arched windows that take in breathtaking views of the expansive grounds– the perfect venue in which to serve the fortunate overnight guest with a morning meal.

A sitting room or first-floor bedroom adorned with a gold-leaf dome ceiling is no less formal and eminently fit for royalty, while an exquisite full bath adjoins the sitting room and the solarium/breakfast room, creating a sumptuous first-floor guest wing, if desired. Buyer’s choice!

A 24-karat gold faucet, hand-carved gold-leaf moldings, a custom marble floor and floor-to-ceiling window adorn the first-floor powder room.

A granite-floored breezeway with French doors along the way connects the main house to a heated six-car tandem garage with front and rear doors, plus a stairway to storage loft above.

The grand staircase leads to an open second-floor gallery that overlooks the reception hall below, complete with marble fireplace, ribbon-banded hardwood floors, glazed Venetian plaster walls, two peer glass mirrors, a cozy sitting niche, 10-foot high ceilings and elevator.

Four gracious ensuite bedrooms reside on this level, each with beautifully appointed baths that include 24-karat gold fixtures and sink inlays, marble surrounds, floors and vanities that are befitting of the rest of the home. A gathering room connects two of the ensuite bedrooms, privately set at the end of the hallway.

Two additional bedrooms reside on this level, one of which is the perfect second-floor home office, with gas fireplace, built-ins and lofty views of the grounds. The other bedroom, adjacent to the master and featuring a fireplace and large walk-in closet, offers added versatility as a possible study, exercise room or nursery…delightfully subject to the personal preferences of the home buyer. And a spacious fully-equipped laundry center adds convenience on this level.

The piece de resistance is the private master quarters that occupy the entire west wing of the home, boasting four gas fireplaces. The bedroom enjoys panoramic front and back views from transomed windows and an ornate barrel ceiling with medallion that hovers above a raised custom platform for the bed. Venetian plaster walls with a gold-leaf wall mural, fluted columns, a media center, ribbon-banded floors and gas fireplace add romance and sophistication to the bedroom. The master dressing room comprises floor-to-ceiling built-ins, two massive marble-topped counters with dressing drawers framed by four columns. There is an additional closet, recessed lighting and the delectable warmth of yet another gas fireplace, while a large master sitting room offers an intimate fireside retreat after a long day.

A luxurious master bath is also designed with 24-karat gold faucets and fixtures, radiant-heated marble floors, Venetian plaster walls and intricate double marble-topped vanities, a divine jetted soaking tub with two seats, marble walk-in steam shower with spray jets, hand-held and rain showerheads, a separate commode and a custom gas fireplace.

10-foot high ceilings, hardwood floors, detailed crown moldings, chair rails and/or wainscoting add grace and distinction to the seven additional bedrooms, each with door transoms that let the light spill in, walk-in closets and recessed lighting that creates a pleasing ambience. Two full hall baths include similar architectural features as the others; one has a delightful hand-painted Sleeping Beauty themed sink and matching commode. A summer kitchen on this level is an added bonus.

A virtual home beneath a home, the expansive lower level provides extra leisure living, entertainment and recreational spaces, just as finely finished as the upper floors, with granite tile floor, coffered ceiling and arched doorways. The recreation room, game room, kitchen and a pub room with built-in custom seated bar offer the ultimate in unforgettable parties and events. Two powder rooms and plenty of storage add convenience.

Beyond the extraordinary…With its elaborate European styling and eloquent history, its meticulous attention to detail, exquisite location and grounds, this impressive Windermere “chateau-like” estate is a rare New Jersey treasure.

PROPERTY DETAILS

     OVERVIEW

• Largest residential home in Livingston perched on its highest peak
• Spectacular views toward the west spanning 15 miles
• Originally built in 1900, the residence underwent an extensive 3 year renovation that was completed in 2000
• 5.14 acres
• 30 rooms
• 14 bedrooms
• 7 full baths
• 4 half baths
• 15 fireplaces
• 2 fully equipped kitchens
• 1 summer kitchen
• 6 car tandem garage
• Gunite pool with travertine patio
• Tennis court
• Guard house
• Racquet court

     EXTERIOR

• Stone and concrete exterior
• Most of the stone used for the home came from a quarry on the original 300 acre estate
• Roofing shingles with the depth and dimension of natural slate
• Circular paver driveway
• Bluestone verandas
• Expansive paver patios
• Pergola
• Fountain
• Tennis court (hardcourt)
• Heated In-ground Gunite pool
• 20’ x 60’
• Recently renovated
• New filter and gas heater
• New paint
• New tiles
• New travertine patio
• Guard house (separate building)
• Racquet court (separate building)
• Sprinkler system
• Extensive landscape lighting

     INTERIOR (FIRST FLOOR)

• 13 foot ceilings throughout most of First Floor
• Original doors with 24 karat gilded door hinges throughout
• Reception Hall
• Grand two story entrance
• Wide, sweeping staircase with custom railings
• Marble floor with intricate laser-cut design
• Elaborate gold leaf custom moldings with medallions
• Columns with Corinthian caps
• Venetian plaster walls
• Gas fireplace with intricate marble surround
• Two closets
• Living Room
• Herringbone hardwood floor
• Coffered wood ceiling with detailed custom moldings and gold leaf
• Wood wainscoting
• Original lead glass windows
• Wet bar with marble counter, sink and refrigerator
• Gas fireplace with marble surround and hearth
• Pocket doors to formal Dining Room
• Formal Dining Room
• Mosaic pattern inlay floor
• Domed ceiling
• Wood wainscoting
• Decorative marbleized columns and crown molding
• Venetian plaster walls and ceiling
• Built-in china cabinets
• Gas fireplace with marble surround and hearth
• Library
• Inlay hardwood floor
• Mahogany paneled walls and coffered ceiling
• Custom floor to ceiling built-in bookcases
• Custom built-in bench
• Gas fireplace with brick surround and wood mantle
• Tapestry over fireplace
• Family Room
• Checkerboard hardwood floor
• Home media system with ceiling projector, hidden retractable screen and surround sound connections
• Wainscoting
• Gas fireplace with marble surround
• Kitchen
• Custom cabinetry
• Marble radiant heated floor
• Granite countertops
• Tile backsplash
• Detailed custom moldings
• Dramatic palladium windows on three sides
• Pocket doors to exterior
• Professional appliances including:
• Viking 6-burner free-standing range/oven
• Second 4-burner range
• Sub-Zero refrigerator
• Prep sink
• Gas fireplace with stone surround and marble hearth
• Formal Kitchen
• Tray ceiling
• Marble tile floor
• Marble countertops
• Venetian plaster walls and ceiling
• Center island
• Professional appliances including:
• Viking 6-burner free-standing range/oven
• Sub-zero refrigerator
• Two dishwashers
• Two sinks
• Built-in china cabinet
• Recessed lighting
• Elevator to lower level and second floor
• Powder Room
• Marble floor
• Shellac walls
• Detailed custom moldings with gold leaf
• 24 karat gold faucet and sink
• Solarium
• Marble tile floor
• Arched windows
• Coved ceiling
• Custom wall treatment and decorative columns
• Bedroom 7
• Mosaic tile entry hall
• Marble tile floor
• Dome ceiling with gold leaf
• Venetian plaster walls and wainscoting
• Custom moldings
• Full Bath
• Marble tile floor and countertop
• Hammered tin sink
• Silver faucet
• Stall shower
• Breezeway
• Granite tile floor
• French doors
• Faux stone wall treatment
• 6 car tandem oversized garage
• Tall ceilings
• Three oversized garage doors in front
• Oversized garage door in rear
• Two additional exterior doors in rear
• Heated
• Stairway to storage loft above

     INTERIOR (SECOND FLOOR)

• 10 foot ceilings throughout most of Second Floor
• Grand staircase
  • Venetian plaster walls
  • Decorative wood trim ceiling
  • Crown molding with gold leaf
• Upper Hall
  • Sitting area
  • Hand carved moldings with gold leaf
  • Gas fireplace with marble surround
• Master Bedroom Suite
  • Grand entry foyer
  • Inlay hardwood floor
  • Barrel ceiling with gold leaf accents
  • Marbleized columns
  • Cove lighting
  • Venetian plaster walls
  • Media projector & retractable screen
  • Raised platform for bed
  • Gas fireplace with stone/marble surround and hearth
• Master Bedroom Sitting Room
  • Hardwood floor
  • Decorative moldings and built-in cabinetry
  • Gas fireplace with tile surround and hearth
• Master Bedroom Dressing Room
  • Hardwood floor
  • Custom floor to ceiling cabinets
  • Two marble topped counters with dressing drawers set among four columns
  • Coved molding
  • Additional closet
  • Recessed lighting
  • Gas fireplace with marble and mosaic tile surround and hearth
• Master Bathroom
  • Radiant heated, marble tile floor with mosaic borders
  • Venetian plaster walls
  • Intricate double vanities with marble counters and 24 karate gold faucets and fixtures
  • Custom built-in mirrors
  • Marble walk-in steam shower with mosaic borders, spray jets, handheld showerhead and rain showerhead
  • Oversized jetted soaking tub with two seats
  • Towel racks
  • Cove lighting
  • Separate commode
  • Custom gas fireplace with marble and ornate hand-painted wood surround
• Bedroom 2
  • Hardwood floor
  • Picture window
  • Wainscoting
  • Gas fireplace with wood mantle, marble and hand painted tile surround
  • Ensuite bath
    • Marble tile floor
    • Marble wainscoting
    • Walk-in marble tile shower
    • Soaking tub
• Gathering/Sitting Room
  • Hardwood floor
  • Textured walls
  • Built-ins, wainscoting and crown molding
  • Flanked by Bedrooms 3 and 4
• Bedrooms 3 and 4
  • Hardwood floor
  • Crown molding
  • Built-in bookcases
  • Large, custom dressing mirrors
  • Recessed lighting
  • Ensuite baths
    • Marble tile floors
    • Marble countertops
    • Walk-in marble tile showers
    • Wainscoting
    • 24 karate gold fixtures and sink inlays
• Bedroom 5 / Home Office
  • Hardwood floor
  • Custom moldings and built-ins
  • Gas fireplace with wood mantle, gold leaf and brick surround
• Bedroom 6 / Study
  • Perfect as a Master Bedroom Study, Exercise Room or Nursery
  • Hardwood floor
  • Gas fireplace with marble surround and hearth
• Half Bath
  • Marble tile floor
  • Marble wainscoting
  • Vanity with marble countertop and decorative columns
  • Custom sink with 24 karate gold fixtures
• Formal Laundry Center
  • Washer/Dryer
  • Granite tile floor
  • Coved molding
  • Custom cabinetry with granite countertops
  • Deep sink
• Grand Hallway
  • Hardwood floor
  • Glazed venetian plaster walls
  • Built-in peer glass mirrors
  • Elevator access
  • Storage closets
  • Sitting niche
  • Stairway to Third Floor

   INTERIOR (THIRD FLOOR)

• Grand, wide formal hallway leading to 7 additional bedrooms
• Transoms above all bedroom and bathroom doors
• 10 foot ceilings throughout most of Third Floor
• Hardwood floors throughout Third Floor
• Recessed lighting in all bedrooms
• Detailed crown moldings
• Chair rails or wainscoting throughout
• Walk-in closets in most bedrooms
• Gas fireplace in Bedroom 9
• Decorative ocular window in Bedroom 13
• Full bath
  • Silver painted moldings and trim
  • Venetian plaster walls
  • Marble tile floor and half walls
  • Silver plated sink and commode
  • Claw foot tub
• Full bath
  • Marble tile floor and walls
  • Glazed venetian plaster walls
  • Large custom vanity with marble counter
  • Hand painted Sleeping Beauty themed sink and matching commode
  • Marble walk-in stall shower with frameless doors
• Storage rooms
• Utility room
• Summer kitchen
  • Tile floor
  • Granite countertops
  • Sink
  • Closet
  • Refrigerator hook-up
• Attic storage on both ends of third floor
• Walk-up attic to storage above third floor

 INTERIOR (LOWER LEVEL)

• Arched doorways throughout lower level
• Granite tile flooring throughout Lower Level
• Game Room
  • Venetian plaster walls
  • Wainscoting
  • Natural light
• Recreation Room
  • Performance stage
  • Coffered ceiling with gold leaf detailing
  • Wainscoting
• Pub Room
  • Coffered ceiling
  • Custom bar with seating
  • Refrigerator
  • Wine fridge
  • Ice maker
  • Rough-in for future sink
• Powder Room
  • Venetian plaster walls
  • Custom vanity with marble counter and 24 karat gold sink
• Powder room
  • Custom vanity with marble countertop
• Future Kitchen
  • Rough-in for future sink and range
• Dedicated storage rooms
• Exterior door to paver driveway with ramp to Lower Level for deliveries and immediate access to elevator

     SYSTEMS

• 12 heating and cooling zones
• Zone 1: Lower Level - Game Room / Recreation Room
• Zone 2: Lower Level - Pub Room / Lower Level Entrance Foyer
• Zone 3: First Floor - Foyer / Family Room
• Zone 4: First Floor - Formal Kitchen
• Zone 5: First Floor - Library / Living Room / Dining Room / Butler's Kitchen
• Zone 6: First Floor - Solarium / Bedroom 2
• Zone 7: Second Floor - Upstairs Hall / Master Bedroom Sitting Room / Office
• Zone 8: Second Floor - Master Bedroom / Master Bath
• Zone 9: Second Floor - Master Bedroom Dressing Room / Bonus Room / Bedroom 3
• Zone 10: Second Floor - Gathering Room / Bedroom 4 / Bedroom 5
• Zone 11: Third Floor
• Zone 12: Garage (Heat Only)

• 15 gas fireplaces
  • Reception Hall
  • Living Room
  • Dining Room
  • Library
  • Family Room
  • Kitchen
  • Upper Hall
  • Master Bedroom
  • Master Bedroom Sitting Room
  • Master Bedroom Dressing Room
  • Master Bath
  • Bedroom 2
  • Bedroom 5
  • Bedroom 6
  • Bedroom 9
• Alarm system
• Central vacuum
• Sprinkler system