WESTPORT — Charmers Landing is an inspiring setting with Long Island Sound and the sky above it serving as a canvas that changes daily, and sometimes hourly.
The custom-built colonial house at 5 Charmers Landing is as artistic as the setting. There should be another name for the style of this house because “colonial” just doesn’t do it justice and does little to convey the exquisite design of this 14-room, 11,759-square-foot residence. It has three floors of living space, all accessible by an elevator. This architectural work of art was the creation of local, award-winning architect Peter Cadoux, who collaborated with the owners, both of whom are professional artists. The level of detail and specialness of this house is obvious right from the gated entrance, which features stone pillars topped with iridescent lanterns. Even the elevator was given interesting features including a patterned hardwood floor.
Stone, wood, glass, and metal were expertly melded to create this masterpiece, which resembles a modern day palace. It’s like living in an enormous sculpture. The house was built in 2007 and 2008 on a 1.12-acre waterfront peninsular parcel at Judy Point, where the Saugatuck River meets the Sound. The house was positioned on its property parallel to the water unlike most houses in this area that are sited in a perpendicular orientation. As a result, this cedar wood and stone house in the Saugatuck neighborhood enjoys more waterfront exposure than most houses, and every room in the house but one has a water view. Several rooms have doors to the exterior bluestone patios and an enclosed, covered and screened porch, which has a gas fireplace for outdoor entertaining the year round.
This property enjoys 700 feet of shoreline, which provides a haven for local birdlife and features one of the prime fishing spots and water skiing coves on the Connecticut coast. In fact, it is referred to as Paradise Point, “the ultimate waterfront sanctuary.” This property includes a 70-foot dock in a protected cove and it was deliberately placed on the side of the house so as not to obstruct the spectacular views. It also has an in-ground heated Gunite free form swimming pool with a hot tub and waterfall. Inside, there is a resistance pool that creates a current to swim laps in place. The full bath in this part of the house doubles as a cabana for the pool. Back outside, there is also an outdoor shower, which prevents homeowners and their guests from tracking in beach sand.
The dramatic stone front entrance flows into the entry hall and continues out to a covered stone patio. Reclaimed wood floors and beams frame walls of glass that invite the outside in. In the two-story great room there is a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. One wing of the house has an office, a guest room with a Murphy bed, and a full bath.
At the opposite end of the house, off the gourmet kitchen, there is a sizable mudroom and a cavernous art studio that offers endless possibilities as a game room, home theater, workroom, playroom, and additional office, a first floor bedroom, or almost anything the next owners can imagine. The kitchen features a long center island with a waterfall marble counter, a built-in desk area, a breakfast nook, high-end appliances including a Viking Professional six-burner range with a grill, and a pot-filler.
A custom-designed steel and wood circular staircase leads to the second floor. This feature is like a work of art within a work of art. Cross the fly-bridge over the foyer to the master bedroom suite, located in a private wing. It has an exceptionally large walk-in closet, a door to a private balcony, and a bath with a free-standing soaking tub, a shower with pale green glass backsplash, and a towel warmer.
One of the other three bedrooms has a built-in ladder to a loft. The second floor family room is near the other bedrooms and it is set apart from the living areas of the home. It is accessed through sliding barn doors.
On the third floor there is another large, open, sunny space, currently used as an art studio. It has a vaulted ceiling with multiple skylights and French doors to a balcony. The exercise room and half bath complete the third floor.
The waterfront is not the only amenity that this house enjoys. It is within walking distance to the Saugatuck section of town including its shops, restaurants, and the train station.
For more information or to set up an appointment to see the house contact Fran Burger of Fran Burger Realty Group/ William Raveis Real Estate at 203-209-6152 or fan@franburger.com.