Built in 1929 during the great estates era, this brick and limestone country estate is a wonderful example of architecture in the grand manner. It was designed by New York architect William B. Tubby, who rose to prominence during this period for his outstanding designs that included Waveny House in New Canaan, Dunnellen Hall in Greenwich, and the Greenwich Library. Yet for all its beauty and gracious bearing, the current owners of the home felt that it lacked sufficient living space for the family to gather comfortably together. Their request for an addition posed the unique design challenge of expanding the square footage of the house without making it seem larger than its already sizable dimensions.
To preserve the architectural integrity of the house, Wadia left he original house intact, opting instead to tuck a new wing onto the back of the house, discreetly out of sight from the entry approach. To ensure a seamless transition between the old and the new, the Indiana limestone used on the exterior of the house was power ground to give it the same texture and patina as the existing stone. Ultimately, the addition included a new kitchen, great room, outdoor courtyard, and a playroom. Providing the inspiration for the great room was Castle Duart, located on the Isle of Mull, and featured in the 1999 movie Entrapment in which Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones, playing art thieves, practice their moves for a high-tech heist.
Smitten by the stylish setting, the clients asked Wadia to recreate a similar sort of room for their new addition, a request he relished. Featuring a double-height ceiling, massive stone fireplace with intricate carvings, and custom bronze handrails leading up to a second-story mezzanine, the great room has become a treasured place for the family to gather. Linking this room to the main residence is a glass-paned corridor featuring iron frames and true divided lights. Stunning views of the garden terrace are on display on one side, while the new kitchen is visible through the courtyard, which flanks the other side of the corridor. Together with the roof lights in the kitchen and double-height bay windows in the great room, the new space is drenched in sunlight, inviting the family to linger in its welcome glow.
