Fabulous Mid-Century Modern in Rye, NY

Yale School of Architecture’s Dean, Deborah Berke, is an accomplished and decorated architect. The founder of the TenBerke firm, she is responsible for such notable projects as the Residential Colleges at Princeton University, the Cummins Indy Distribution Headquarters, the Rockefeller Arts Center at SUNY Fredonia, the Yale School of Art in New Haven, Connecticut, and the 21c Museum Hotels across the South and Midwest. She is the winner of the Topaz Medallion, the highest honor for architectural education, the Berkeley-Rupp Prize at the University of California at Berkeley, which is given to an architect who has advanced the position of women in the profession, and the AIA Gold Medal Award for a lasting impact on the theory and practice of architecture. In 2014, the venerable architect completed a bespoke renovation of a stunning mid-century-modern home in Rye, NY, winning the 2015 Hudson Valley Design Award. That home has now hit the market for $4.95 million.

Originally built in 1969 by notable architect Milton Klein, the 6,500-square-foot residence is a classic California-style modern with the walls of glass, steel-frame construction, stark lines, and open floor plan characteristic of the coveted aesthetic. As described in her book, House Rules: An Architect’s Guide to Modern Life, Berke was primarily inspired by nature in her renovation of the home, a philosophy in keeping with the ethos of the modern design movement. She chose materials like warm mahogany to act as a deep contrast to the concrete and stucco features. 

The meticulously restored home features a fabulous kitchen, a spa-like primary suite, and 16 skylights that flood the radiant floors with natural light. Outside, a fantastic wrap-around deck and stone patio with shaded pergola offer views of the serene 2.5-acre property. A heated pool is built into the patio. Other amenities include a 3-car heated garage, 5-zone central air, a massive gym, a sauna, and a full lower level with two bedrooms. 

Rye is a coastal town that is sixty percent waterfront. Founded in the 1600s, by the 1800s, it became a haven for wealthy New Yorkers escaping the city's summer heat. An extraordinary inventory of historically significant buildings, with over 2,600 National Historic Landmarks, lends the town a unique visual style, with distinct neighborhoods reflecting different eras. Environmentally significant wetlands and numerous archaeological sites, including Native American villages, burial grounds, and points of first contact with European settlers, further enhance the town’s exceptionality. Options for entertainment include the Rye Golf Club, the Westchester Country Club, and the American Yacht Club. The peaceful town offers quaint community activities, while everything Manhattan has to offer is only an hour's drive away. Celebrities with homes in the area include Jason Bateman, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and Craig Bierko.

The listing is held by Judy Zhou and Stacey Rechler at Douglas Elliman.

Photo Credit: Daniel Milstein Photography

Source: www.elliman.com