A handsome estate nestled on more than 12 private acres with inspiring views of New York’s Ashokan Reservoir and Catskill Mountains will soon find its new owner.
The luxury real estate property in New York, which was previously on the market for $4.5 million, is scheduled to be sold to the highest bidder at a live auction held on the property site on June 1, 2019.
The luxury auction® will be held without reserve, meaning the highest bidder will prevail – regardless of the price. Luxury real estate auction house, Platinum Luxury Auctions, which specializes in multimillion-dollar home sales on behalf of their wealthy owners, was retained by the property owner to conduct the auction sale, which will be held in cooperation with listing brokerage Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hudson Valley Properties. Listing agents Harris Safier and Jeff Serouya are representing the brokerage in the transaction.
Affectionately named Ashokan House by its owners (due to its location on the Ashokan Reservoir), the high end estate sits on 12.5 acres and includes a main residence and separate carriage house. In addition to beautiful views of the calm reservoir waters, the property’s mountainside location provides vistas of the Shawangunk, Mohonk and Slide Mountains (the latter being the Catskills’ highest peak).
“This is one of those beautiful homes that simply makes one scratch his head as to why it has not yet sold,” said David Ashcroft, Platinum’s managing director. “It’s just such a tastefully done property and a perfect retreat from the city. Our marketing department won’t stop talking about wanting to live there,” he joked.
First built in 1950, the property was meticulously renovated by its current owners in 2004-2008. The tri-level main residence offers 5 beds, 6 full and 2 half baths throughout 11,000 sf, while a separate, two-level carriage house adds 2 beds, 1 bath and 2,500 sf, in addition to a lower-level garage with six vehicle bays.
The handsome stone and slate exteriors of the living structures are complemented by copper roofs and various terraces and balconies. Interiors are bright and airy, and feature special touches such as lofted plaster ceilings with reliefs by Italian plaster artist Frank Mangione. Custom wood paneling and accents – primarily in cherry and mahogany – exist throughout the luxury home. The interplay between these exterior and interior styles creates an atmosphere of relaxed elegance and comfortable luxury.
The main residence’s entry opens to an exquisite great room with soaring 14-ft ceilings, beautiful fireplaces, and elegant woodwork accents. This space houses living, dining, and recreation areas, and is brightened by a multitude of picture windows and French doors that “bring in the outdoors.” There are two kitchens, one for family use and another with professional-grade, stainless-steel appliances – perfect for catering galas or charity events (the property has in fact hosted weddings on-site).
Other features include a garden room, mahogany-paneled study, atrium, cherry-paneled game parlor with dual fireplaces, and oversized master and “junior master” bedroom suites.
The private grounds – surrounded by lush foliage – have been professionally landscaped with a low-maintenance ethos. Xeriscaped gardens (which require very little irrigation and maintenance), a “stone-scape” pond, three fountains and a charming gazebo add character to the premises, along with gently meandering pathways paved in bluestone and various stone staircases.
Deal-seeking luxury home auction advocates should also pay attention to the timing of the sale: the transaction will occur before New York’s new property tax hikes go into effect. On July 1, both the “mansion tax” and the state transfer tax will be increased, levying more fees upon the buyers of properties in excess of $1 million.
Additional literature on the property and luxury auction® terms can be found online at WoodstockLuxuryAuction.com. Interested parties may also contact Platinum’s project manager, Leslie Rose, at 800.853.2101. Open house previews of the property are scheduled each day between the hours of 12 and 4pm local time, until the mansion auction.
