Nestled in the heart of Somerset Hills Hunt Country, Ellistan is an equestrian estate with a rich local history. It has been a much-loved gathering place for generations, for instance holding the annual Essex Fox Hounds Thanksgiving Day Meet since the early 1930s. Originally designed by New York architect A. Musgrave Hyde for Francis Edgar Johnson and his family in 1931, this Norman-style house was crafted from locally quarried stone. Spread across 77± farm-assessed acres in Peapack, the serene backdrop of rolling hills and open fields is just an hour from New York City. Under the care of just three families, including the current owners of 40 years, this estate has evolved into a sanctuary that is well-suited for entertaining and a variety of leisurely pursuits. The entry courtyard, south terrace, swimming pool and reconfigured driveway were designed by George Betsill of Innocenti & Webel and installed by the current owners. Grounds were softened originally by Shelby Mellick using thoughtfully designed gardens and plantings. More recently British garden designer Penelope Hobhouse created lush gardens and outdoor ‘rooms’ enclosed by herbaceous borders. Ellistan showcases the work of imaginative interior decorators including Sister Parish of the legendary New York firm Parish-Hadley Associates and Mica Ertegun of MAC II. The estate was highlighted in two notable books, New Jersey Country Houses: The Somerset Hills, Volume II and Gardens of the Garden State. Beautifully maintained and thoughtfully upgraded, Ellistan artfully blends classical architecture and modern amenities. The home’s unmistakable indoor-outdoor connection is achieved through a collection of oversized windows and glass doors overlooking marvelous countryside views. Principal spaces include the sunlit drawing room, cozy library with wet bar, spacious dining room, inviting fireside family room and well-designed kitchen. Nine bedrooms-- including a gracious primary suite of rooms, bonus spaces, a sauna and exercise room-- occupy the second and third levels. Additional amenities consist of a three-bedroom guest cottage with a four-stall barn, a stable complex with three apartments, a stocked pond, pool and tennis court. Holding its large acreage in four parcels, the setting embraces protected views of neighboring farmland and inspirational scenery. This singular estate is minutes from the villages of Peapack-Gladstone, Far Hills and Bernardsville for shopping, dining, sports opportunities, golf and country clubs, and award-winning private and public schools. Its central location is about an hour from Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City and 20 minutes from Morristown’s private-operated airport. Ellistan combines an unpretentious spirit with one-of-a-kind details. Every room is used and useful within the extensive footprint, and it works just as well for multiple generations living together as it does for a couple due to its adaptable, comfortable and pet-friendly layout. If a house has a soul, then Ellistan’s good energy will undoubtedly extend to the future owners of this special offering.
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