A stately Greek Revival has come to the market in the quintessential Connecticut village of Essex. If it looks familiar, that’s because it was featured in the October 2021 issue of CTC&G, before winning an IDA in the Garden Design category in 2022. The polished residence dates back to 1845, with ties to politician James Phelps, and sits on Main Street overlooking the Connecticut River’s “Middle Cove.” However, just over a decade ago, it was extensively renovated into the magazine-worthy dwelling it is now.
The sellers turned to architect Robert Orr, landscape architect Carol Orr, and interior designers Catherine Olasky and Maximilian Sinsteden to give the home back a sense of historic character. When they purchased it, it had seen many stripping renovations. “It was just a blank slate. For all intents and purposes, so much had been removed that this old house was a brand-new house,” architect Robert Orr told CTC&G in 2021.
The architect decided to add columns to the exterior, ornamental friezes throughout, and a cupola to the carriage house. Meanwhile, the interior designers thoughtfully filled the 3,488-square-foot interiors with antique furnishings and finishes in tune with the traditional aesthetic.
The residence shines with details like a hand-painted mural in the dining room, a brownstone fireplace, kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, and a 1,100-bottle wine cellar in the basement. Upstairs, which is accessible via staircase or elevator, are three ensuite bedrooms. The quarter-of-an-acre grounds were thoughtfully brought to life by Carol Orr, who designed a series of outdoor rooms: A secret garden, rose garden, auto court garden, urn garden, loft garden. There is an additional bedroom suite above the garage and a “summer house” overlooking the river.
While this home isn’t world famous, it is a local legend. Susan Malan of William Pitt, Julia B Fee | Sotheby’s International Realty holds the special listing priced at $4.495 million.
