One of Fairfield County's last great estate properties—Le Beau Château, owned by Huguette M. Clark, the copper heiress who died in May 2011 at the age of 104—is again being offered for sale. Located in the southwestern corner of the state, Le Beau Château is a rare offering of 52 acres complete with 10 estate lots and a French-style manor house.
Barbara Cleary of Barbara Cleary's Realty Guild is once again representing this property, with international marketing services provided by Christie's International Real Estate. Christie's, the parent company of Christie's International Real Estate, also auctioned a collection of Art Deco jewelry from the Estate of Huguette M. Clark on April 17th in New York. Clark's other real estate holdings—three historic Manhattan apartments at 907 Fifth Ave.—are also being offered for sale by Christie's International Real Estate in partnership with its exclusive Affiliate Brown Harris Stevens.
Set amid spacious, mature gardens, with open meadows, wetlands, streams, and brooks, Le Beau Château offers peace, privacy, and a beguiling tranquil lifestyle. This private garden sanctuary affords the utmost in seclusion and serenity, yet is less than an hour drive from New York City and only six minutes from downtown New Canaan.
At the center of the grounds stands Le Beau Château, a spectacular French château-style residence, reminiscent of the mansions in the Loire Valley. Constructed in 1937 by noted New York architectural firm Voorhees, Gmelin and Walker—designers of the art deco-styled Times Square Building and One Wall Street—this nine-bedroom, six full and three half bath residence has been remarkably preserved. The 12,766 s/f manor offers a blend of rich textures and features that recall the romance and grandeur of a bygone era.
A two-story grand foyer featuring a curved staircase introduces the interior of this graceful 22-room mansion. The original ornate architecture boasts generously proportioned rooms with delicate marble and herringbone floors, 13-foot ceilings and French doors throughout. The residence features a grand gallery, 11 fireplaces, a full basement, a walk-up attic, an elevator, a terrace, and a service courtyard for parking cars.
Further highlights of the property include two identical well-appointed single-story brick caretaker and guest houses, each providing two bedrooms.
"No other luxury real estate network can offer this level of customer care in both art and real estate," said Kathleen Coumou, senior vice president. "We are honored to represent this rare and exceptional property, which was acquired by Clark more than 70 years ago."