A splendid combination of restrained classical beauty and sophisticated elegance, Northshire offers peace and privacy on 26 cloistered acres in the heart of North Salem. The great country houses of England are recalled in this 9,000 square foot brick masterwork ($15,850,000), which enjoys a rich provenance. Built in 1934 for Woolworth heir, Richard W. Woolworth, the home was designed by Mott B. Schmidt, the preeminent country architect of the era, celebrated for the many beautiful homes he created for members of the Vanderbilt, Astor and Rockefeller families. At Northshire, Schmidt created an impressive Georgian Manor of enduring beauty. Clad with handsome brick and graced with a stately symmetrical silhouette, the home and its pastoral setting conjure the English countryside. In fact, noted architect Dean Tefler, who collaborated on the renovation at Northshire believes Schmidt was inspired by Groombridge Place, a famed 17th century home in Kent, England. Recently, Northshire’s impeccable English flair captured the attention of British House & Garden, which featured the home on the cover of their February, 2012 issue. Distinguished by beautifully scaled, authentically detailed formal rooms, the light-filled home displays the exquisite style and artistry of important period architecture. The current owners recently completed a 5-year renovation and the result is simply a triumph. Masterfully restored beyond its former glory, the finely-detailed formal rooms mix seamlessly with the beautifully designed modern spaces, including a dazzling chef’s kitchen, lavish baths, a loft-like guest suite and a combination media room/gym. Original detailing was preserved wherever possible and where improvements were necessitated, every effort was made to enhance the authenticity of the home. Today, Northshire blends its classical beauty with a fresh, modern spirit perfectly suited for 21st-century living. The beauty of the home is matched only by its resplendent surrounds comprised of broad lawns, superb gardens, rolling meadow and scenic walking paths that meander through fragrant woodland. Specimen trees and plantings dot the sublime landscape which offer beautiful unobstructed prospects in virtually every direction. Further amenities include a two-bedroom brick gatehouse, an indoor pool housed in a Lord & Burnham greenhouse, an outdoor pool, pool house and a handsome storage barn adjoining a large paddock. Expansive yet supremely private, Northshire’s park-like setting provides the perfect backdrop for this meticulously executed estate, one the region’s most distinguished offerings.
