Historic 1797 manor house in Westchester hits the market for $4.7M

June 30, 2020

Listing photos courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

Known as the Manor House, this 18th-century Federal-style Colonial in Westchester county has just hit the market for $4,699,000. Set on 1.44 acres, it’s one of the largest parcels of land in Larchmont, and at nearly 7,000 square feet, the home is just as spacious as its perfectly manicured grounds. It has a romantic double front porch and a large rear porch, as well as eight fireplaces, six bedrooms, and tons of historic details.

The home was built in 1797 as a country house for Peter Jay Munro, whose uncle was John Jay, the country’s first Chief Justice. Munro went on to have 12 children and amass an estate of over 500 acres, according to a press release about the listing. When Munro died in 1833, his son Henry took ownership, but he had some financial troubles, and the home was sold at auction in 1845 to Edward Knight Collins, “a shipping magnate who had the first transatlantic mail contract and was one of the wealthiest men in the country.” Collins added the two-story front porch. He also named the village “Larchmont” after the larch trees on the property.

In 1865, the home was sold again at auction, this time to T.J.S. Flint, a wholesale grocer who created the Larchmont Manor Company and began developing homes on the land for businessmen from New York City. After Flint’s death, the home was turned into a 30-room boarding house called the Manor House; later, in 1902, it became a private school known as the Manor School for Girls.

Several years later, it once again became a single-family home. Today, it was renovated by its current owners, who added a new master suite, new bathrooms with radiant-heat floors, updated electrical and plumbing systems, and new windows and doors. “My clients did a major renovation that turned a very formal house into a colorful, youthful and happy home on one of the largest land parcels in Larchmont village,” said Houlihan Lawrence listing agent Pollena Forsman. “It’s now a relaxed, very livable home with walkability to everything.”

The 6,723-square-foot home has six bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and two half baths. Throughout are 12-foot ceilings, wainscotting, classic moldings and chair rails, and hardwood and parquet floors.

In addition to the formal living room, an equally colorful family room is located just off the kitchen.

The recently redone master suite features a spa-like en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet/dressing room that’s as large as a whole other room.

The other bedrooms are spread across the second and third floors. There’s also a big, open lower level that’s perfect for a home gym or bonus living space.

Out back, garden beds have been set up, and there’s also a small shed. According to the listing, the large, flat lawn “has been sited for a pool and is perfect for a wide range of sports.”

[Listing: 18 Elm Avenue by Pollena Forsman of Houlihan Lawrence]

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Listing photos courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence