This luxury residence in central Greenwich, Connecticut was designed for an empty-nesting couple seeking to downsize gracefully from their expansive family estate. Situated in a ridgetop neighborhood developed at the turn of the twentieth century, the home rests on a narrow lot framed by an eclectic streetscape of American Foursquares, Queen Annes, Shingle Styles, and Bungalows. From its elevated perch, the house overlooks the town center and offers glimpses of Long Island Sound, a setting that blends historic charm with modern convenience.

Completed in 2018, this stone Georgian residence embodies timeless design while addressing the constraints of its compact site. The façade, with its balanced proportions and refined detailing, anchors the home within its historic context while signaling a fresh chapter of architectural design. The design maximizes the lot’s width to create a gracious sense of circulation within a compact footprint, ensuring both elegance and efficiency.

At the heart of the residence lies a soaring central staircase that unifies its four levels. The staircase not only organizes the plan but also imbues the home with a sense of grandeur, a gesture that makes the vertical arrangement of spaces feel seamless.

The home’s 9,000 square feet of living space are carefully layered across four floors. The ground level located just above the garage plinth, accommodates the primary living and entertaining spaces. By tucking the garage and service areas discreetly into the hillside, the design preserves both backyard openness and panoramic vistas across downtown Greenwich.

Even the basement level was envisioned as more than storage. Thoughtfully designed with an entertainment room, gym, and mudroom off the garages, it reflects the project’s commitment to maximizing quality living spaces on this restrained in-town lot.

The First Floor embraces the couple’s desire for indoor-outdoor living, a hallmark of luxury residential architecture. In the front, a formal music room and the stair hall open onto a wide entry porch, perched above the street. At the rear, the kitchen and family room open directly to outdoor entertaining spaces. The kitchen flows to a patio and grilling terrace, while the family room leads to a covered porch with a stone fireplace, spaces designed for social gatherings that merge the intimacy of home with the lushness of the manicured landscape.

Ascending the central stairs, the upper levels reveal the home’s private quarters. Each floor holds two generous bedroom suites, their airy proportions enhanced by high ceilings, abundant light, and classical detailing. The primary suite, overlooking the landscaped backyard, connects to a conservatory and study designed as a light-filled retreat for growing orchids and as a work-from-home setting. The result is a home that balances intimacy with expansiveness, offering serene private sanctuaries within the structure’s vertical rhythm.

This custom home design demonstrates how luxury can be achieved without sacrificing efficiency or neighborhood character. By carefully responding to the narrow lot, the design maintains backyard green space while maximizing interior comfort. The residence is both a respectful addition to Greenwich’s architectural heritage and a model for how thoughtful planning can meet the evolving needs of contemporary senior living.

This project exemplifies the studio’s approach to residential architecture, where history, proportion, and modern lifestyle intersect seamlessly. To explore more homes that balance tradition and innovation, view our New Home projects at https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/new-homes, and our Renovation projects at https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/renovations.