Claremont Manor  

New Construction in a Legendary Setting

Bernardsville, NJ--At the summit of Bernardsville Mountain, in an enclave rivaling Greenwich and Newport, the clamor of hammers and saws fell silent long ago.

By B.L. Leiding

They left behind a bevy of palatial estates, many built in the Gilded Age and the decades that followed. It was a span of time when Wall Street financiers ventured west to New Jersey, commissioning world class architects to design lavish summer retreats and leveraging powerful connections to extend the railroad lines.

Word spread. Manhattan's elite was intrigued. Constructing opulent homes in the Somerset Hills soon rose to the level of a sport more competitive than fox hunts and polo.

Virgin Residence

Today, a number of these private residences are assessed at over $10 million and classified as historic. New construction is now uncommon. No longer are legions of master craftsmen busy at work applying a multitude of trades to build new homes.

The only sounds heard beyond high stone walls and well-trimmed hedges are waterfalls filling coi ponds and birds singing from trees with centuries-old roots.

One stunning exception is Claremont Manor, a virgin residence plotted on 11 wooded acres and offering 9,400 square feet of finished living space. 

Despite newcomer status, it stakes a worthy claim among its notable neighbors, boasting architecture that appears to share lineage with a manor house from the French countryside. Yet, its timeless elegance blends seamlessly with features that meet exacting standards for the demands of contemporary lifestyles.

Upon approach, the meandering drive culminates in the first sight of an intricate stone facade, where double front doors are carved from mahogany and framed by archways wide enough to ride through on a horse. 

Instruct your driver to drop you off at the entrance and whisk out of sight through the porte cochere. There, above four garages, housing is reserved for your domestic workers, groundskeeper or personal assistants.

Main House

Inside the main house, a majestic foyer is welcoming with a bridal stairway, exquisitely curved and reflective of the dome ceiling that crowns it. The commanding presence of the foyer alone will lead your guests to believe invitation-only is de rigueur, and an unyielding house rule.

Do not be fooled. The essence of Claremont Manor may be suitable for spectacular formal occasions, but it effortlessly adapts to casual get-togethers with family and friends. 

The formal rooms are meticulously appointed with architectural detailing, glistening wood paneling, stone flooring, and cutwork fastidiously created and installed. Venture further down the central hall to the great room, were you'll be tempted to linger by a towering, two-story fireplace and abundant view of the rear yard.

A total of seven bedrooms assure ample space and privacy for all. Long-term guests who stay weeks at a time will be delighted by the elaborate quarters designed exclusively for them. Conveniently located on the main level, they feature an en suite and a generous private patio with wooded views.

The master retreat provides a perfect hideaway on the second level. Joyful memories can be had simply by luxuriating in this expansive suite with its collection of rooms and supreme privacy. 

Year-Round Living

Equally ideal for year-round living or a weekend getaway, shopping is ample in the charming downtown district of Bernardsville, just minutes away, as is transportation and access to New York City, airports, major roadways, state parks, corporate centers and schools ranked among the highest in the country.