159 Pennbrook Rd, Far Hills, NJ 07931

Panoramic views extending nearly 50 miles characterize the 10+ acre hillside setting of a gracious French country manor in Far Hills. Custom-built in 1987, an elegant interior reveals 18 rooms within approximately 15,000 +/- square feet of majestic living space on three levels. A façade of stone and stucco is capped by grand manor rooflines clad in slate, while an entrance courtyard edged by stone walls recalls classic French architecture. Privately situated on open and wooded acreage, gently sloping grounds at the rear of the home offer dramatic vistas of the valley below and distant hillsides miles away. An elevated promontory provides a verdant backdrop for a classic pool, illuminated tennis court and a charming lily pond. The four-stall horse barn with paddock is perfect for equestrian activities. Approached by a long, winding private drive marked by stone columns, this stately home is arranged on three finished levels with five bedrooms, eight full baths and a powder room plus a lower level au pair suite with bedroom and another full bath. Interior highlights are numerous and include custom-milled woodwork, mahogany doors, flooring of Italian marble, Mexican quarry tile, oak and mahogany, soaring ceiling heights, six elegantly mantled wood-burning fireplaces and an abundance of recessed lighting. Introducing this impressive manor is a foyer featuring a sweeping staircase edged by custom brass railings, a 21-foot ceiling and Italian marble flooring. Nearby, a formal powder room has a marble sink and floors. Beyond this dramatic entry, a great room presents a marble fireplace, oak floors with mahogany inlays, a 21-foot rotunda-style ceiling illuminated by a chandelier and a 12-foot wet bar topped in marble. Three sets of French doors open to a flagstone terrace overlooking the swimming pool, tennis court and panoramic views. Special occasions take on extra significance informal living and dining rooms, both appointed with oak floors bordered in mahogany. Relaxation is assured in the sun-filled garden room featuring floors of Mexican quarry tile and French doors to the gardens. The open, flowing floor plan continues in a butler's pantry which leads to the spacious eat-in kitchen with stone fireplace. Every imaginable amenity graces the chef's kitchen, with its 14-foot center island and extensive array of upscale stainless steel appliances. Custom cabinetry, granite countertops, hexagonal Mexican quarry tile floors, a pantry, fitted closet and rear staircase are notable amenities. Echoing the shape of the Mexican tile floors, the focal point is a hexagonal breakfast room. This room opens to the terrace through French doors. Just off the kitchen area is a multi-purpose room and full bath. Handsomely appointed, the family room has random-width oak-pegged floors, painted barn siding, a stone and stucco fireplace, built-in bookcases and a beamed ceiling. A rear gallery hallway with marble flooring leads to the peaceful solitude of a walnut-paneled library anchored by a marble fireplace. Built-in cabinetry, bookcases and two sets of French doors to the terrace enhance this space filled with warm wood tones. A handsome home theater completes this level. A lavish master retreat upstairs situated in a private wing of the home encompasses a series of stylish rooms for the owners. Two individual master baths brimming with spa-like details, two room-sized closet rooms fitted with organizers, French doors to a private balcony, and a bedchamber with marble fireplace each contain scores of thoughtful design elements. Another highlight is the fully mirrored octagonal dressing room with marble floors. The opposite wing of the second story contains four bedroom suites, each with its own full tile bath, and one featuring a fireplace. Matching the same design caliber as the main and second floors, the finished lower level presents an au pair suite, an octagonal-shaped wine room, exercise room, sauna, a full bath, laundry room, three large, unfinished storage rooms, and a slate-floored gallery offering multiple sets of French doors to the terrace, rear grounds, pool and tennis court. Extensively landscaped, the scenic property includes a pond with waterfall surrounded by glorious perennial gardens and a rose garden. Spanning the rear of the home, a slate terrace has stairways to the extensive grounds including an illuminated tennis court, four-stall barn and paddock. The resort-style classic pool edged by a terrace adjoins a lanai. Expansive storage areas, numerous closets and an attached and heated oversized four-car garage provide ample storage options. Courtyard parking is framed by stacked stone walls. Additional exterior features are copper soffit gutters and leaders, grounded lightning rods, double Thermopane high efficiency Pella windows and a generator. Mechanical workings include a central security system, central vacuum, forced hot air heat with humidifiers, multiple zones of central air conditioning, private septic, well water, copper plumbing, a 100-gallon commercial hot water heater, 600-amp electric service, and separate electric service to the tennis court and pool. An extensive irrigation system maintains the grounds. Incorporating an Old World sensibility with a host of modern updates throughout, this one-of-a-kind French country home is a rare offering in a coveted location. Far Hills in Somerset County is about 45 miles west of New York City and close to a network of highways and Midtown Direct train service for commuters. Rural in nature, Far Hills is a five square-mile borough with a small shopping district and train station. Centrally located near public and private schools, world-class golf courses, a wide range of upscale shopping venues, equestrian pursuits, recreational and cultural events, this captivating locale is also about a 30-minute drive from Newark Liberty International Airport.