WELCOME TO APPIN:  85 Stewart Road, Short Hills, NJ

Both historic and current, this spectacular estate offers it all with a recent major expansion that added a new family room, primary bedroom suite and exercise room across three levels. The stone mansion, appropriately named "Appin", is a residence of historic significance built by John Stewart Jr., perched up high and overlooking one of the most prestigious streets in Old Short Hills. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy one of only a few residential indoor squash courts in the US as well as outdoor tennis, basketball, swimming and plenty of room for football and soccer. The 2.3 acre property is framed by sprawling lush flat lawns, stone terraces, a 4-car over-sized garage and pool house with kitchen, full bath and laundry. The impressive formal rooms have recently been refreshed, offering lofty ceilings, striking millwork and a soaring staircase. More informal but no less impressive is the chef's kitchen boasting a La Cornue gas range and other professional appliances, opening to the new sun-filled family room with spectacular views of the expansive rear property. The new primary suite also offers an abundance of windows and light as well as impressive closet storage while the lower level is a welcomed surprise, offering an assortment of rooms created for the individual tastes of its occupants including a billiard/ping pong room, media room, wine tasting room, recreation room, sunken exercise room and powder room. Bespoke living at its best.

7 Bedrooms, 6 Full & 3 Half baths, 4 car garage, 7 fireplaces, grand open spaces, soaring ceilings, custom moldings, hardwood flooring in most areas, built-in generator, regulation squash court, spectacular 2.3 acre property with heated in-ground pool, cabana and so much more. Vacationing away from home will be a distant memory.

Click Here To See The New Floor Plan

VIRTUAL TOURS / INTERACTIVE FLOOR PLAN

Click here to access a virtual tour for this property:  85 Stewart Road 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 VIDEO

"Appin", The Home of Mr. & Mrs. John A. Stewart, Jr. at Short Hills, New Jersey by Dennis N. Bertland for J. Arthur Johnsen, AIA

John A. Stewart Jr. built the stone house now known as 85 Stewart Road on the property that he purchased in 1886 from Sarah A. C. Seavers. Before that time the property was part of an evidently undeveloped twenty four-acre tract of land that changed hands several times in the middle decades of the 19th century and for which no title deed earlier than 1833 has been discovered. Stewart paid $7,000 for the lot in 1886, a substantial increase from its price of $675 in 1854 or even the 1860 price of $2,400. The increased value no doubt reflected the efforts of Stewart Hartshorn to create an "ideal" suburban community in the picturesque Short Hills section of Millburn Township. Hartshorn, a successful businessman who had suffered poor health, began to acquire property there in the 1870s. He then set about constructing roads that followed the contours of the land, building houses of individual design on substantial lots which he rented to prosperous city people, and selling lots to others who agreed to erect private residences that complied with his standards. By 1884, Hartshorn had built thirty-three houses as well as the "Music Ball", the social center of his community. Click here to read more...

PROPERTY OVERVIEW

Entry to this magnificent home is accessed from a quiet street, up a winding drive, creating a commanding presence and promising no less. Peace and privacy abound in this idyllic setting, feeling far from the world yet only a few minutes from the Short Hills NJ Transit Train Station which offers convenient service to both Hoboken and New York Penn Station.

The impressive Entry Hall, with original staircase, custom doorways, and paneled ceiling, offers guests a glimpse of the grandeur that awaits every turn. Flanking the Entry Hall are an elegant fireside Living Room and Great Room both boasting expansive windows and offering spaces that are perfect for both intimate gatherings and large events.

Anchored on beautiful hardwood flooring and set beneath a high ceiling with substantial high-gloss moldings, expansive windows, accent lighting and architectural interest at every turn, the fireside formal Living Room is elegant, welcoming guests with warmth and grandeur.

A banquet-scale formal fireside Dining Room with custom wainscotting and multiple windows sets the tone for lavish entertaining under dramatic moldings, offering the perfect space for both small and large dinner gatherings. Holidays and every day will offer a very special experience.

At the very heart of the home is the spacious Kitchen with walls of windows, offering complete visibility to the resort-like rear property. The gourmet Kitchen is high-end, embellished with custom cabinetry, natural stone countertops, LaCorneau gas range, dishwasher, Sub-Zero refrigerator & freezer and oversized center island with seating. Recently added, the expansive Family Room and breakfast room include large windows and a french door with views of the lush grounds. 

The upstairs hall is bright and dramatic with lofty views of the Entry Hall below, accessed by a grand staircase leading to four spacious and bright bedrooms. The luxurious Primary Bedroom Suite is reminiscent of a Bed and Breakfast, offering the homeowner a serene, generously sized bedroom with expansive bath and two walk-in closets. The bedroom offers generous views of the perfectly manicured grounds.

Three additional second floor bedrooms offer high ceilings, generous closets, built-ins and elegant moldings.  The laundry is also located on the second floor, adding convenience. The third floor is home to three additional bedrooms, two full baths and plenty of storage.

The Lower Level is expansive, with an assortment of rooms created for the individual tastes of its occupants including a Pool Table/Ping Pong Room, TV Room, Play Room, Recreation Room, Sunken Exercise Room and Powder Room. A Storage Room & Utility Room also reside on this level.

At the end of the sweeping lawn is a wonderful surprise -- an idyllic heated in-ground pool, totally secluded from the rest of the world offering a tranquil retreat. A nearby pool house / cabana offers a changing room, full bath and kitchenette  facilities. Here one can also find a regulation-sized tennis court with basketball hoops. Truly a sports court at its best.

One of only a very few homes in the United States to offer a regulation-sized squash court, this home truly offers it all for even the most discerning buyer.

This estate awaits that extraordinary buyer who appreciates fine craftsmanship, modern conveniences and all that Short Hills has to offer.

PROPERTY DETAILS

OVERVIEW

• 7 Bedrooms, 6 Full & 3 Half Baths
• 2.3 Acres
• Exterior and interior restored back to its original grandeur
• New Family Room, Primary Bedroom/Bath Suite & Exercise Room
• Standby generator
• 45 minutes from Midtown Manhattan
• Top-ranked Short Hills school system

FIRST LEVEL

Entry Hall

• Stunning front to back entrance hall
• Grand sweeping staircase
• Custom architectural trimwork and intricate original plaster moldings
• Two expansive coat closets

Living Room / Music Room / Office

• Wood burning fireplace with white mantel
• Intricate millwork

Dining Room

• Coffered ceiling
• Gas fireplace
• Wood paneling

Great Room

• Original paneling
• Gas fireplace
• Custom french doors to exterior porch

Gourmet Eat-in Kitchen

• Expansive center island with seating, prep sink and stone  countertop
• LaCorneau range
• Sub-Zero refrigerator & freezer

Breakfast Room & Family Room

• Oversized windows and doors with views of the lush grounds
• Large walk out deck off the breakfast room and family room

Second Level

Primary Bedroom Suite

• Generous bedroom with multiple windows
• Two walk-in closets

Primary Bath

• Vanity with 2 sinks and full-width mirror
• Private commode room
• Spacious shower stall
• Soaking tub

Three additional bedrooms and two additional baths.

Third Level

• Three additional bedrooms
• Two additional baths

Lower Level

• Pool Table / Ping Pong Room
• TV Room
• Play Room
• Recreation Room
• Sunken Exercise Room
• Storage Room
• Utility Room
• Powder Room
• Separate HVAC zone
• Many of the rooms feature exposed brick and custom archways

SYSTEMS

• Multi-zone heating and cooling systems
• Water softener
• Natural gas backup generator
• State-of-the-art security system with motion detectors and glass break sensors

EXTERIOR

Pool

• Poured concrete custom swimming pool
• Retractable cover
• Natural gas heater

Tennis/Sports Court

• Regulation size
• Basketball hoops at each end for flexibility

Squash Court

• Regulation size
• Match recording system
• Observation deck with glass railing
• Powder room

Landscaping

• Lush, mature specimen plantings throughout entire property
• Irrigation system with rotary sprinkler heads for the lawn and sprays for shrubs and planting beds

EXCLUSIONS

• See listing agent

The information above is deemed to be accurate but is not guaranteed and is subject to change.