Connecticut ‘castle’ sells for $10m in Greenwich to secret buyer

A Connecticut mansion fit for royalty has been swept up by secret buyers, in an all-cash deal after spending years on and off the market, despite sprawling lawns, sun-drenched rooms, and rich history.

Built in 1913, the fortress sold for more than $10 million, four months after being listed by its most recent real estate agency.

However, the 17-bathroom compound had spent years appearing and disappearing from sale with previous brokerages.

The property first hit the market in January 2021 for $9.85 million and was then removed in October, listing records show.

It was last sold for $5.5 million in 2017, according to records with PropertyShark and in an email to mansionglobal.com ‘if rebuilt today would cost approximately $15 million.’

The estate is more than a century old and behind the gated entry and tree-lined drive boasts a screening room, a stone veranda with a built-in grill, and a modern gym.

The Property was sold after being on and off the market for years despite its rich history, sprawling lawns and sun drenched rooms

The castle boasts 14 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, a modern gym, outdoor walks, a tennis court and 10,000 bottle wine cellar

It was built more than 100 years ago by famed architect James C. Green and Israel Putnam

While not a lot is known about the current buyer, the compound was once owned by Boston Red Sox owner Harry H. Frazee, who infamously traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees for $100,000 in 1919

It has a butterfly staircase coming into the foyer and a living room with a central fireplace floor-to-ceiling windows

In addition to the 13,500-square-foot main residence, there is also a carriage house and a staff apartment, each approximately 3,400 square feet.

The compound was originally called the Freestone Castle or Hemlock Castle and was constructed by the prominent architect James C. Green and Israel Putnam.

It was also once owned by Harry H. Frazee, theatre producer who was also the owner of the Boston Red Sox, who infamously traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees for $100,000 in 1919.

The main residence starts with a cobblestone courtyard with a double-height marble foyer which leads to a staircase and a living room with a central fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows.

In addition to the 13,500-square-foot main residence, there is also a carriage house and a staff apartment, each approximately 3,400 square feet each

Other amenities include a bar, a sun-soaked music room, a modern home theatre and a tea room and outside, there are walking trails, a tennis court and gardens

The property first hit the market in January 2021 for $9.85 million, and was then removed in October, listing records show

It was last sold for $5.5 million in 2017 and ‘if rebuilt today would cost approximately $15 million.’

There’s also formal dining room with space for a table for 20 which looks out onto the sprawling lawns 

A chef’s kitchen with a breakfast nook is featured in the beautiful castle-like home 

All bedrooms have a view of the compound and are sun soaked 

Other amenities include a wood-clad study with a bar, a sun-lit music room, a modern home theatre and a tea room

The main residence starts with a cobblestone courtyard before going into the home 

The kitchen comes with a breakfast nook and a formal dining room with space for a table for 20 according to listings and for wine lovers a 10,000-bottle wine cellar.

The main bedroom suite is on the third floor, and features a sitting area, a dressing room and several walk-in closets and a bathroom with dual vanities, which overlooks the grounds and gardens.

Other amenities include a bar, a sun-soaked music room, a modern home theatre and a tea room and outside, there are walking trails, a tennis court and gardens.

‘There are no homes of this size and grandeur located within a 5-minute drive to downtown Greenwich and a mere 45 minutes from Manhattan,’ Douglas Elliman listing agent Stephanie Bo Li, told The New York Post.

Li said the 14-bedroom home is ‘the largest castle in Greenwich and ‘unlike most other castles.’

‘[They tend to have] have dark small rooms or a medieval-feel to its interior, Hemlock features magnificent-sized rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the home with natural light.’

Blueprints of the castle show the vast expanse of the property which lay dormant on the property market for years 

The brokerage said the 14-bedroom home is ‘the largest castle in Greenwich and ‘unlike most other castles.’