Vermont is known as the Green Mountain State because of its eponymous and picturesque mountain range. The bucolic state’s hills, lakes, rivers, and fields charm outdoor enthusiasts from near and far.
And increasingly, homebuyers with big-league budgets are seeking out their own patches of paradise in Vermont—this 345-acre, lakefront estate in Ferrisburgh, for instance.
At $26.2 million, it’s the state’s most expensive home listing and could become Vermont’s largest-ever residential real estate transaction. The grand spread, known as Grosse Point, includes five guesthouses, a nine-hole golf course, and lake frontage with three docks.
Vermont does have its share of palatial estates; but once built or purchased, they tend to stay within the same families. That’s what makes this property’s splash onto the market so significant.
“Vermont has seen a tremendous influx of folks from Colorado, California, Texas, and other regions,” says Wade Weathers, a LandVest listing agent, who is representing the property with Averill Cook. “And if you look at other exciting vacation parts of the world, Vermont is a place where you can get a lot for less.”
The home
The compound is anchored by a nearly 10,000-square-foot, stone mansion built in 1906.
“This home is as unique as they come,” Weathers says. “It has incredible grandeur and acreage and is set right on Lake Champlain. This type of estate just isn’t ever available, especially considering the lake frontage and the three concrete docks. The state of Vermont doesn’t allow anyone to even build a dock on a lake anymore.”
Set in a gracefully landscaped yard amid fields and woods, the 11-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom mansion has multiple fireplaces—a must for Vermont’s long winters.
The original maple flooring, pocket doors, and detailed moldings create an atmosphere of classic American elegance.
The estate was originally designed for banker Walter Scranton and was later owned by philanthropist Jessica Swift, according to Mansion Global.
The property now belongs to the children of the late Robert and Cynthia Hoehl. He co-founded IDX Systems Corp., and purchased the home for $8.4 million in 2006, Mansion Global reports. The couple’s six children spent summers there as kids and adults but are ready to part ways with the stately abode.
Over the years, the Hoehls poured millions into the home, making repairs and updates, while honoring its architectural details.
“The most visible addition they made was the $800,000 copper roof, but they completely updated the house and the cottages on-site,” Weathers says. “Thanks to the changes they made, those cottages have modern plumbing and electrical equipment and historical architectural detailing.”
The property
The original property encompassed 435 acres, but the Hoehl children are holding on to about 90 acres of farmland, leaving around 345 for the new owner.
The vast grounds include multiple guesthouses with 12 bedrooms total, a caretaker’s home, a farm manager’s residence, several hay barns, and a dairy barn.
Boating, fishing, and swimming are all on the agenda here, thanks to the estate’s 1.5 miles of contiguous lake frontage and the 30 miles of Lake Champlain, visible north to south. The Hoehls even added a dock house and renovated two of the three piers.
The majority of the property is covered by a Nature Conservancy Conservation easement, and the location is centered in an exclusive corner of Vermont devoted to open spaces, farmland, and other prestigious estates.
“The grounds are stunning, with an entranceway lined by maple trees,” Weathers says. “Once you get on the inner part of the property, it’s completely private. Across the lake is the Adirondack Park, which is forever wild. You’ll see eagles, ospreys, deer, turkey, and all kinds of waterfowl that fly through here every year. It’s pretty irreplaceable, and this is only the second time the home has been available to the public since 1906.”
This story was originally published on Realtor.com, a real estate and rentals site. In addition to homes for sale, you can find rentals like Scottsdale apartments, Austin apartments, Tampa apartments, and more.
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