Cooper's Bluff Estate - Description

Today, the 8 acre Cove Neck estate is dappled with dogwood and azaleas and bordered by 700 feet of beach. Sprawling through the foliage, this unique multi-leveled home designed by John Stedman is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic “prairie architecture.” Nature itself provides the house with its most spectacular furnishings; the generous use of glass, skylights, and terraces brings the freedom of the outdoors inside while emphasizing a panoramic view from the pinnacle of a 160-foot-high bluff. Fluid architectural design gives the residence convenient indoor-outdoor access as well as easy movement from room to room. The house wraps around a sunken garden which is ablaze with multicolored azalea and dogwood in spring.

The distinctive triangular design theme is developed fully in the huge, high vaulted living room surrounded on three sides by glass and terraces. Opposite the view, an impressive brick chimney rises to a cathedral skylight over a sunken fireplace and sitting area below. Ample kitchen windows allow for views of sailboat regattas and Connecticut in the distance. An abundance of built-ins is a special feature of this comfortable, spacious family kitchen. Equipment and furnishings have been incorporated throughout the house as organic parts of the structure. All five double master bedrooms feature built-ins, skylights and terraces via sliding glass doors. Below the house, but still at 130 feet above sea level, rises a white stuccoed pool house in the tradition of Le Corbusier’s molded concrete construction. The unusually designed pool compliments the angular design of the main house.

In addition to riding and tennis, yachting is a favored pastime in Cove Neck. Just across the harbor on Centre Island are the anchorage and grounds of the internationally known Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club. The area also maintains a number of noted clubs for golf, riding, tennis and social life.

Cooper's Bluff Estate

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Residence: Single story, flat roofed, multi-sectional contemporary; modern triangular design with Japanese influence; constructed in 1955, architect John Stedman, 12 rooms (5 double family bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths; 2 staff bedrooms, numerous terraces, 15 skylights); full basement; cedar closet; temperature-controlled wine cellar; 3-car garage; approximately 4,000 square feet on main level; sliding glass doors and convenient built-ins in nearly every room; all spaces are non-rectangular and dimensions below are approximate.

Living Area: Walkway from entry driveway passes bedroom wing to entry loggia (10’ x 18’) with skylight, double doors, redwood ceiling, and flagstone floor; loggia opens to living room (25’ x 25’ hexagonal) featuring cathedral skylight, huge brick fireplace with recessed sitting area; teak paneling, flagstone floor; living room connects by continuous sliding glass doors to wraparound terrace with spectacular 180 degree views; dining room (15’ x 15’) with built-ins, cathedral redwood ceilings, connects with serving pantry (8’ x 10’) and dining terrace (20’ x 20’) which overlooks sunken garden and pool; on the west off loggia is library (18’ x 20’) with fireplace, extensive built-ins and private terrace through sliding doors.

Panoramic view of Connecticut and Westchester across Long Island Sound, with Oyster Bay to the left and Cold Spring Harbor to the right.

Dining room

Library

Bedroom Wing: Entry loggia connects to gallery (8’ x 25’) on west with powder room and glass wall overlooking sunken garden, gallery connects to skylighted bedroom wing off center hall; guest room (14’ x 18’) with private bath, skylight, two glass walls; master bedroom (15’ x 15’) on northwest with private bath and dressing room and sliding glass doors to water view; children’s section off separate center hall has 2 bedrooms (15’ x 15’), (14’ x 13’), nursery (12’ x 15’) and central playroom, all with direct outdoor access through sliding glass doors.

Master bedroom

Guest room

Service Wing: Wet service pantry (8’ x 10’), family kitchen (12 x 18’) with outdoor breakfast terrace, laundry and servants’ suite; basement access; three-car garage.


Entry loggia

Pool House: Le Corbusier inspired contemporary style, living space with 2 sides sliding glass overlooking view and pool; second floor studio; his or her changing and bathrooms, kitchen, pool (20’ x 40’ irregular angled shape).


Pool house and view beyond