History speaks volumes at the very sight of ?Uptop?, the gloriously private, supremely elegant Montclair mountain property on 1.37 acres originally part of the Forstmann Family Estate at 196 Upper Mountain Avenue, just below. Today, this grand Tudor Revival home, built in 1990 by the Swanson family, is an inspiring residence in a sophisticated environment with prestige views of Manhattan, 12 miles away.The original Forstmann property, built in the early 1930s by a prominent textile family and long regarded as the finest high-style residential architecture of its time, was sub-divided in the 1980s so that Uptop?s marvelous, oversized, well-water swimming pool, quaint, heated gingerbread-style pool house with his and hers changing rooms, expansive, well-lit clay tennis court and lush terraced rose gardens became the awesome backdrop for a signature half-timber, classically-styled home. It was designed by the celebrated architect James A. Timpson, with a new formal property entry from scenic Highland Avenue to its rustically magisterial compound setting.The American Tudor Revival style, long synonymous with success, wealth, and dignity, melded with Timpson?s signature architectural symmetry and fluid implementation of natural timber and stucco textures set against a lush hillside environment. One-of-a-kind details prevail to capture the imagination, from the copper frog statue shooting water into the deep, blue pool and the Vermont-quarried slate roof overlooking a grand Australian-style open porch, to a boldly impressive interior with cathedral style hall and atrium "open" style lines, 9 and 10-foot ceilings, wide-plank, yellow pine and Brazilian walnut herringbone flooring and grand fireplaces.?The meticulously finished lower level -- (windowed on two sides with NYC views) and a light, bright 8'6' pine plank ceiling - provides a foundation for the breadth of real living space required for today's active lifestyles. Significant amenities throughout the home include central air conditioning, ample first-floor bedroom with private entrance; custom French doors and windows in the living and dining rooms; gracious master bedroom suite; cedar closets; accessible storage in the attic with hardwood flooring; lower-level bar; whole-house laundry chute; 4-zone heating/cooling; and Generac standby generator. The exterior was recently re-stucco-ed and re-timbered, with special attention to weather-resistant flashing.Spectacular in setting and design, this truly larger-than-life property, offering solitude and commanding attention, is positioned just minutes from delightful shopping in both Montclair Center and Upper Montclair Village, easily accessible Midtown Direct commuter options, a range of public and private schools, world-class restaurants, beautiful parks and playgrounds, and many other enjoyable artistic and leisure activities in and around one of New Jersey's most desirable townships.
This property is off market, which means it's not currently listed for sale or rent on Zillow. This may be different from what's available on other websites or public sources.
