Property of the week: Late 19th century CT home with charm and a rich history

This home has an ideal location.

It is at 825 Prospect Ave., West Hartford, next to Elizabeth Park, just down the street from the Governor’s Mansion, and close to Elizabeth Park’s Sunrise Overlook, with its spellbinding views of the Hartford skyline. Yet, the home itself turns out to be even more impressive than this location.

“The home was built in 1879 and since then, over the past 145 years, it has been held by only two families,” said Susie Hatch of William Raveis Real Estate, who is handling the sale. It turns out that the transfer from the first family to the second was done privately, so this is actually the first time that the this impressive Queen Anne home has been offered to the public.

The current owners have not only lovingly cared for the home, but also served as conservators for the neighborhood, having purchased nearby properties over the years to preserve them. “I would say that the current owners have been exceptional stewards of the Prospect Avenue neighborhood between Fern Street and Asylum Avenue,” Hatch said.

The home, with its meticulously maintained grounds, has undeniable curb appeal. There is, however, much more to it than initially meets the eye. “You drive into the driveway and behind the house is a 3-car garage. And at the back of the property there is a carriage house. It has a sitting room when you walk in the door and there is a living room, a dining room and kitchen on the first floor and two bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor.” This carriage house is included in the offering.

As for the main house, a beautiful wrap-around porch greets guests, but also has other uses. “We were there for a dinner party several years ago. There were four tables set up on a summer evening and it was just magical. It was so lovely,” Hatch said.

Upon entering, it quickly becomes apparent that this home’s design, attention to detail and craftsmanship easily justify its inclusion in the Prospect Avenue Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “When you walk through the front door, you are immediately reminded of Mark Twain’s home. The similarities are astounding,” Hatch said, before pointing to just two of the countless features that are exceptional.

“The door knocker and handle on the front door are simply beautiful, and the door itself is at least 3 1/2 inches thick,” she said. Inside, “The wallpaper in the front hall was custom made and custom colored from the old original William Morris wood blocks,” she noted.

William Morris was a noted 19th century English designer of textiles and wallpapers that were considered to be among the finest available when this house was built. The wallpaper complements the beautiful wood paneling that graces this area and the hardwood floors that are found throughout the home. The millwork, too, is outstanding. This entry foyer also has a fireplace and a beautifully crafted staircase to the second floor.

Perhaps of even greater importance to today’s buyers, this home’s floor plan is perfectly suited for both contemporary life styles and entertaining. It can easily handle either intimate gatherings or large parties. The entry hall provides easy access to the formal living room and the dining room, which can easily accommodate a table that seats 12 with room left over. Each of these rooms has a fireplace. There is another fireplace in the library, which retains all of its beautiful woodwork and bookshelves.

Throughout the home there are large windows, with many of them extending almost to the floor. They let in plenty of natural light and beautiful views of the neighborhood. They also give a sense of spaciousness that is enhanced by ceilings that are about 10-feet high.

“The kitchen was redone in the early 2000s,” Hatch said. “It was done in keeping with the nature of the house using natural wood.” In addition to ample space for meal preparation, the kitchen features a breakfast nook, surrounded on three sides by windows that give views to the south and east, looking toward Prospect Avenue.

In addition, this breakfast area overlooks the home’s gardens, which the current owner has been working on for years. “They have planted and maintained them for all the years they have lived here, since 1981,” Hatch said. As a testament to the quality of this work, these gardens have been documented in the Smithsonian Institution Archives of American Gardens. “The home has quite a pedigree,” Hatch said. A sitting room, two butler’s pantries, an enclosed back porch that can accommodate deliveries, a half bath, and a laundry room complete the first floor.

There are three bedrooms on the second floor. The primary suite, with its fireplace, stands out. In addition to being spacious, it features a private bath and a dressing room that could serve as an office. Another bedroom has direct access to a bath, which can also be accessed from the hall. The third bedroom has a fireplace and a closet with a marble countertop and drop-in sink.

At the top of the home, on the third floor, there are a bedroom, large playroom, and full bath.

This property, with its incredible location, is unique. In addition, the quality of construction and the materials used throughout would be nearly impossible to replicate today, at any price.

Info:

Main House Carriage House

Built: 1879 1908

Price: $825,000

Style: Queen Anne Cottage style

Rooms: 11 6

Bedrooms: 4 2

Baths: 3 full; 1 half 1

Square footage: Approximately 4,600 Approximately 1,300

Acreage: Approximately 1.25

Mill rate: 42.35

Best Feature: This home, with its rich history, is elegant, shows incredible workmanship and attention to detail wherever one looks, and is perfect for entertaining. Its location, next to Elizabeth Park, is also ideal.

Contact:  Susie Hatch

William Raveis Real Estate

susiehatch22@gmail.com

860-841-0866