450 Old Chester Rd, Chester, NJ 07930

Originally part of Time Inc. founder Henry Luce's expansive 1930s LuShan estate, this beautiful equestrian property is currently sited on 25 farmland-preserved acres. The updated four bedroom and three-and-one-half bath main house is enhanced by several dependencies. These include a detached, heated four-car garage with hydraulic lift (to possibly store an additional car), a second detached two-car garage, a greenhouse , two horse barns containing a total of 20 stalls, an indoor arena and outdoor arena, a hay barn and ample ride out. The oldest portion of the home was originally the gardener's cottage, while a greenhouse with attached potting shed was manufactured by Hitchings & Co. A comprehensive addition was designed and built by architect William Byrne in 2005, who was inspired by a traditional mid- 1800s Federal style farmhouse. At this time the gardener's house was renovated and expanded to include a two-and-a-half story home with a wraparound covered porch and period details throughout. Re-created for a comfortable lifestyle, living area on the first two floors measures approximately 4,500 square feet. Classic details and amenities include three Rumford fireplaces, an open staircase, wide plank pine floors, nine-foot ceilings on the main and second floors, extensive built-ins and millwork throughout. Among the bedrooms is a first floor master suite and second floor princess suite. A walk-up third floor can be finished as two additional rooms and bath. The gourmet center island kitchen offers concrete countertops with rod iron inlays plus Plain and Fancy custom cabinetry, a farmhouse sink and built-ins. Top-of-the-line appliances include double Bosch wall ovens, a Viking six-burner combination induction cooktop, Bosch dishwasher and KitchenAid counter depth side-by-side refrigerator. A butler's pantry and large walk-in pantry provide plenty of storage. The kitchen flows into the original part of the house; including the breakfast room with beamed ceilings, built-in sideboard, French doors to a large deck and a cozy loft overlooking a two-story great room. This expansive space presents wonderful built-ins, floor-to-ceiling bookcases and a Rumford fireplace with Vermont Castings wood stove insert. Although this custom-built residence has the timeless look and feel of a home originally built decades ago, modern comforts enhance the livability of its well-designed layout. The front door of the 2005 addition opens into a spacious foyer with nine-foot ceilings and wide plank pine floors. To the left of the foyer is a gracious dining room and to the right is a living room with Rumford wood-burning fireplace and bay window. A study with built-ins, a sun room with Dutch door, a large mud room featuring built-in cubbies, laundry room and powder room and complete the first floor. Stairs to the second floor open into a roomy upper foyer offering beautiful views of the property. A customized linen cabinet is a wonderful convenience. Three well-sized bedrooms and two full baths finish this level. The staircase continues up to a third floor offering two framed-out rooms and the possibility of a future bathroom. An abundance of large windows frames views from every room of the bright, airy home. This one-of-a-kind property would be ideal for the serious equestrian, avid car collector or anyone looking for a bucolic country estate to call their own.