This Greenwich Mid-Country Estate in Connecticut reimagines Georgian architecture for a modern lifestyle, anchoring a seven-and-a-half-acre lakeside property with a Main House, Tennis Pavilion–Guest House, Lakeside Pavilion, and a series of thoughtfully choreographed gardens. Designed as a luxury residential landmark, the compound balances timeless architectural language with contemporary spatial clarity—an approach central to our firm’s philosophy.

From the moment of arrival, the Georgian-style home establishes a sense of permanence and elegance. Drawing inspiration from David Adler’s 1928 Crane Estate and historic British precedents such as Belton House, the façade is defined by a central projecting pedimented entry flanked by hip-roofed wings. Flemish bond brickwork, sandstone quoins, modillion cornices, and a graduated slate roof serve as the unifying architectural vocabulary across the estate.

The front elevation is anchored by a sandstone portico with Ionic columns and a delicate bronze railed balcony. Above, a balustraded roofline and scroll-bracketed cupola reinforce the home’s classical symmetry. The careful blend of red brick tones and warm sandstone accents was deliberately curated to create a refined but inviting material palette, one that resonates with the natural hues of the surrounding landscape.

Inside, the Main House transitions from its formal Georgian exterior into a series of luxury residential interiors shaped by clean lines, generous glazing, and material warmth. The elliptical entry hall, paneled and topped by a skylit oculus, acts as the ceremonial threshold of the home. Its marble Campidoglio floor pattern and axial cross halls connect directly to the two-story great room, which overlooks the lake through three floor-to-ceiling window bays.

The great room is wrapped in rift-sawn oak millwork and Venetian plaster, with a fireplace anchoring each end of the soaring space. A custom “pill-shaped” staircase with bronze balusters and a French-polished walnut handrail rises elegantly above the front hall. Throughout the residence, bespoke detailing, including leather-paneled walls in the study, high-gloss lacquer cabinetry in the kitchen, and transitional millwork in the primary suite reflects the clients’ desire for both comfort and sophistication

Across the rear façade, the architecture opens generously to the outdoors. Expansive windows and glass doors flood living spaces with natural light and frame uninterrupted views of the lake and gardens. This relationship to nature extends to the lower level, where a natatorium finished in oak and limestone sits beneath a terrace dotted with walkable-glass skylights, creating a serene, spa-like retreat.

Beyond the Main House, the estate unfolds into a constellation of secondary structures designed to complement its custom architectural design. The Tennis Pavilion Guest House mirrors the tripartite composition of the main residence, adapting its classical details into a more playful scale. A circular window patterned after a tennis ball, Tuscan-columned porch, and octagonal cupola with a tennis-player weathervane lend charm while maintaining architectural cohesion.

The Lakeside Pavilion, secluded within lush plantings, offers a more intimate refuge. Composed around a Palladian arch that opens to the lakefront, it provides covered outdoor living and entertaining space. Side wings house a kitchen, powder room, and garden storage, and a pergola-style cornice transitions softly into the surrounding landscape. Its wave-patterned cresting subtly echoes the water beyond.

A defining aspect of this high-end home design is the integration of sustainable technologies and precise engineering. A green roof planted with sedums reduces stormwater runoff, while custom low-maintenance exterior trim blends seamlessly with copper roofs, bronze railings, and finely veined sandstone veneers. Geothermal HVAC systems and 24-hour co-gen generators ensure the estate operates efficiently and reliably.

Even the mechanical spaces reflect an elevated level of craft, designed and finished with the same rigor applied to the public rooms. This holistic approach underscores the project’s commitment to quality, durability, and long-term performance.

As detailed in our book Classic Greenwich Houses, this estate exemplifies our dedication to creating architecture that draws from historical precedent without replicating it. The design synthesizes the husband’s preference for a traditional exterior and the wife’s affinity for modern interiors, an exercise in harmonizing seemingly contrasting visions. The result is a residence that feels both classically rooted and thoroughly attuned to contemporary life.

Every gesture, from the estate’s reconfigured arrival sequence to the couture-like interior finishes, was developed collaboratively with the clients and design team. Their commitment to excellence is visible in every detail, making the project a true testament to imagination, craft, and trust.

To learn more about our modern Georgian Architectural Design please visit https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/blog/designing-a-georgian-style-home. To explore additional new residential projects with similar architectural detailing visit https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/new-homes.