Are barns the next Williamsburg? Millennials head out of NYC to ‘upcycle’ rustic residences

Millennials are masters of upcycling, the practice beyond recycling products and things to not just reuse them but make them better. This trend is now extending to the real estate sector, where we’re seeing some pretty spectacular renovations of historic barns into stunning homes. Below are five great examples of upcycling historic barns in a way that modernized the structures and added luxe amenities while honoring the authenticity and origin of the structures. All for sale and all within a few hours drive of New York City, these barn homes can be your country dream – or reality.

Dawn Perry, the SVP of Marketing at ERA Real Estate, says ” there is an effort among millennials to never waste anything. People don’t have these grand horse farms anymore, they are not actually farming the land so why not use these old farms and reuse these structures? It’s a phenomenal trend to make something fresh out of something existing. What I love about these particular properties and the trend in general is that not only are they renovating in a way that recycles and is sustainable but they are keeping the integrity of the original structures and then using anything that can’t be used, like wood from the original structure, recycling it and turning into something else, like a table. They aren’t wasting a thing and I love that! Plus the beauty of the exposed beams and all that comes with these barns is extraordinary.”

1. Bright and airy Litchfield County country life (2.5 hours from NYC)
234 Gay Street, Sharon, CT asking $795,000

If you asked a child to draw a barn, this would be it- bright red with a silo and x’s on the barn doors. At just over 2,300 square feet, this classic, 1920s cross-gabled red barn has been cleverly converted into a stunning three-bedroom home oozing with charm. Clearly once a working farm, this reconverted barn has lofty, double-height rooms, walls of windows and doors, a silo staircase, wood burning stoves, and rustic flooring. The barn is situated on 28+ pastoral acres with stunning Litchfield county open meadows, horse paddocks, ponds and endless views of three states- hence the name Grandview Farm.

The open floor plan is accessed through wide glass doors. The living room, dining room, and kitchen have high ceilings with exposed beams and a ton of natural light and great views through from the glass doors. The kitchen has stainless appliances, marble counters, and ample cabinetry. There are sliding glass doors to the large, open deck. A separate large entertainment room has a wood-burning stove and large windows.

The spacious master bedroom has an ensuite bath and more beautiful views. A partially finished loft area overlooks the public rooms. On the lower level are the basement, horse stalls, and garage space. There are two other buildings/sheds for storage or small farm animals.

2. Historic charmer in Easton, CT (1 hour and 45 minutes from NYC)
549 Judd Road, Easton CT asking $655,000

This charming reconverted barn, originally the Lewis Edwards Homestead (a bookbinder from the 1700s), perfectly blends old and new. It was gut renovated to upgrade all the electric and plumbing while the owners added top finishings throughout.

At just over 2,250 square feet, this three-bedroom, open-floor-plan home has charming rooms with exposed beams, wood floors, and intimate spaces.

The kitchen, which has been featured in “Connecticut Cottages and Gardens” and “Architectural Digest” has countertops of solid walnut, custom designed in North Carolina, and soapstone from Vermont with a matching farm-sink.

The house sits on 5+ acres with beautiful gardens that include magnolias, flowering pears, crab-apples, and espalier apple trees. The property also has a 100-year-old wild blueberry bog and apple trees, as well as access to the many local farms and vegetable co-ops in the area, like Sport Hill Farm which provides many local and NYC restaurant with their goods.

3. A charming retreat in the Catskills (3 hours from NYC)
190 Dubois Road, Catskill, NY asking $549,000

Tucked between the banks of the Catskill Creeks and the Hudson, this converted 1796 Dutch barn has hand-hewn beams, sliding barn doors, a remaining horse stall, and all the makings of a cozy weekend getaway. Still looking very much like a barn from the exterior, the sliding doors open the inside to the outside through a huge 8.5′ X 10′ opening.

This converted cross-gable barn has hand-hewn beams and rafters with a three-bedroom residence addition.

The 3,900 square foot home includes 2,500 of semi-finished square feet of barn space with a lot of mismatched chairs and endless potential.

The home is located where Dubois and Catskill Creeks meet so you can take the creek less taken and kayak from your own backyard through the 420-acre Audubon sanctuary that borders the property.

4. Red barn classic in Briarcliff Manor (1 hour and 15 mins from NYC)
220 South State Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY asking $1,145,000

This 1875, classic red dairy barn has over 3,000 square feet of space on a 3.4 acre lot. The property is adjacent to the North County Trailway and its 24 miles of biking and hiking trails.

The home has dramatic 20-foot ceilings, is filled with light, and is centered around the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace.

The kitchen is small but has an intimate eat-in bar and light flooding in through the windows and skylight.

There is a bright office space with tons of room for desks and the added charm of a stone wall.

With direct sunlight streaming in from three sides, the sun room off the main house is extremely inviting.

Despite being open, light and bright there is also an intimate private feeling.

5. A Fairfield County fairytale (an hour and a half from NYC)
122 Millstone Road, Wilton, CT asking $925,000

Located in Wilton, CT, the original structure, which was part of a 100-acre farm, was converted to a home in 1972.

The barn’s open floor plan has soaring 27-foot ceilings and original beams.

The kitchen was recently remodeled and is bright and open to a dining area flooded with light from the skylights.

The private gunite pool completes the serenity.

There is a separate garage with a fully equipped one-bedroom apartment suitable for in-laws or guests.

Finishing off the barn theme, the property includes a pole barn with four stalls, tack room, storage room, hayloft and separate well.

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• $1.2M 18th-century stone mill in NJ was transformed into a home full of original details

[234 Gay Street by Ira Goldspiel for William Pitt]

[549 Judd Road by Kelly Higgins for Coldwell Banker]

[190 Dubois, Catskill by Paul Barrett for Hunt Real Estate]

[220 South State Road for In-House Realty]

[122 Millstone Road by Marion Filley for Berkshire Hathaway]