A magnificent 445-acre estate just changed hands in the rural, picturesque town of Cornwall and set a new Connecticut record. The property’s closing price of $12 million makes it the most expensive home ever sold in Litchfield County. But, that’s not all that makes the sale newsworthy. Tennis great Ivan Lendl, who is regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time, was the seller along with his wife, Samantha Frankel.
The duo fell in love with the topography of the vast lot and built their luxurious countryside residence in 1992, tapping renowned architect Allan Greenberg to spearhead the project. Elyse Harney Morris, who represented the sellers together with Bill Melnick, shares, “They bought it for privacy. They built an 18,000-square-foot stone home ideally situated on the land—added a pool house, two tennis courts, and six-stall barn for horses.”
Even though the 10-bedroom manor was built over 30 years ago, it is not dated in the least but timelessly traditional and elegant. Refined woodwork, stately fireplaces, and gracious rooms for entertaining or unwinding unfold throughout the home. Gorgeous views of the Connecticut foothills also abound from room to room, changing through the seasons. It’s easy to see why the sellers held onto it for so long after creating such a majestic, remote place to call home.
The estate has been on and off the market in the last few years and was seen asking $16.45 million in 2021, according to CT Insider. “The Lendls created so many wonderful memories at this property—it was hard to release. They are so happy that there is a new steward for the compound,” reflects Harney Morris, whose namesake firm handled the cherished listing. Kiara Rusconi with William Raveis Real Estate represented the mystery buyer.