Property of the week: Quintessential Connecticut colonial in a town dubbed ‘magical’
When you ask a real estate agent to choose a home’s best feature, the response can dwell on its location.
Or, the best feature might be an open floor plan, a stunning entry foyer open to the second floor, or a wonderful kitchen designed for entertaining. This home, at 9 Old County Road in Chester, has all this, and much more.
However, when this question was asked of Sacha Armstrong Crockett of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, who is handling the sale of this home, her answer was short and to the point. “It’s the owners,” she said.
It turns out that these owners, who are downsizing now that the family has grown, had the home built in 1998. During this process they were “meticulous, paying attention to every detail,” according to Crockett. More to the point, they have continued to be “meticulous and fastidious” when it has come to maintenance and upgrades.
Examples of this extra care abound. “When they built the home they went 250 feet beyond what was necessary for the well, so they have high quality water. They also have a radon mitigation system. The house didn’t have high radon levels, but they put it in anyway,” Crocket said. Then, over the past five years, among other upgrades, they had the double-hung windows replaced with Andersen Fibrex units. “They have gone above and beyond when it came to building and caring for this home,” she said.
Making this home more appealing is the location and 5-plus acre lot. “There are hiking trails and a reservoir right behind the house. The owners use these trails often. It offers privacy, trees, and it’s within walking distance of downtown Chester,” Crockett said. “This is one of the more adorable shoreline communities. Chester has so much to offer. It’s magical,” she added.
As for the home, Crockett called it “a quintessential Connecticut colonial, nestled on a five-home cul-de-sac.” Crocket went on to call it spacious, with more than 4,300 square feet of living space. “It offers intimate spaces while also having open living spaces. There are areas you can close off to have quiet and privacy,” she said.
First impressions start in the entry foyer, with its beautifully crafted stairway to the second floor. The welcoming front glass door and surrounding windows, which let in ample amounts of natural light, are recent upgrades. To the left is a large formal living room with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. The living room goes from the front to the rear of the home, making it suitable for large gatherings, though it would not overwhelm more intimate get-togethers. Crown molding adds elegance while recessed lighting offers even illumination after dark. To the right of the entry foyer is the formal dining room. It, too, has crown molding while a chandelier handles lighting.
The center of activity, however, will inevitably be the large eat-in kitchen, which is open to the great room. These two rooms form a perfect entertainment hub, according to Crockett. In the kitchen there is ample space for a large island that can seat three comfortably for informal meals or snacks. Granite work surfaces on the island and along the outer walls provide ample space for multiple cooks to take part in meal preparation. A professional grade Viking stove with a matching hood stands out, while the Sub-Zero refrigerator and dishwasher have panels that match the premium cabinetry perfectly. There is also space for an under counter microwave oven, as well as separate beer and wine coolers. To the side, a table capable of seating six or more people for informal meals fits nicely.
The great room is open to the kitchen, but its area is defined by a half wall and columns. Its ceiling dramatically soars almost 18-feet to the top of the second floor, while a large stone fireplace serves as the room’s focal point. Glass sliders at the rear of the room access a two-level deck made of beautiful ipe, or Brazilian hardwood. On the other side of the room, there is a second front entrance covered by a porch with a mahogany deck. The room features wood flooring and a surround sound system that has additional speakers to carry music to the kitchen, living, and dining rooms, as well as the primary suite. The first floor’s half bath is off the entry foyer.
Beyond the great room is a suite of rooms that could serve as a home office or accommodate intergenerational living. The office space could be a living room, and this area includes a bedroom, full bath, and a separate outside entry.
The second floor has three bedrooms and a home office. The primary suite is undoubtedly the highlight. It features a tray ceiling with attractive and dimmable LED accent lighting. There is a large walk-in closet and a bath with a large steam shower, a separate tub, and a dual sink vanity with custom made side cabinets and drawers. Two other bedrooms and a full bath complete the second floor.
Other highlights of this home include a separate four-car garage, an irrigation system, a stone patio next to the rear deck, a whole-house backup generator, and a bonus room over the in-law suite or office. A premium and highly efficient Buderus heating system keeps the home comfortable in winter. Well thought out, carefully maintained, and upgraded, this home offers luxury living in a wonderful location.
Info:
Open House: Sunday, June 23, 2024 Noon to 2 p.m.
Built: 1998
Price: $849,000
Style: Colonial
Rooms: 11
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 3.5
Square footage: 4,361
Acreage: 5.36
Mill rate: 24.45
Best Feature: The care that the sellers have lavished on this younger home over the years has made this property exceptional.
Contact: Sacha Armstrong Crockett
860-538-7778
William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty
sacrockett@wpsir.com