Cruising along the winding roads of Old Greenwich and nearby Riverside, Conn., one senses the rows of homes, spaced on lots less than a half-acre, parallel the enveloping feel of community. With views of steel-blue, glittering Long Island Sound peppered between homes, the neighborhood is at once a shore town and embodiment of a bygone era, where the school, firehouse and pharmacy are all steps away from home.
“Overall, the town holds its own,” says Alison Farn-Leigh of Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Greenwich, Conn. “You invest in the real estate, which is solid, you invest in the community, which is very well established, very well run. It’s just a great place to live, to raise a family, to grow old. It’s hard to beat.”
The real estate market, however, is far from that of yesteryear. Today, homes in this enclave will fetch nearly $2 million or more, says JoAnn McCarthy, also of Douglas Elliman in Greenwich.
“If a house is priced properly in Greenwich, we’re seeing it fly off the market quickly, and in a lot of cases, we’re also seeing multiple bidding,” McCarthy says, noting that one home can garner up to five bids when priced right. “What’s really hot in the market of Riverside and Old Greenwich is houses just under $2 million and just over $4 million."
Currently, the majority of inventory in the area falls between $2 and $5 million, a range that includes the price points of homes presently listed by Farn-Leigh and McCarthy.
On the Market in Old Greenwich
Two listings line Shore Road – the gateway to the coastline at Tod’s Point – affording the best of waterfront living, and, in the case of 54 Shore Road, deeded access to a private beach.
54 Shore Road
Listed for: $3,290,000
Listed by: Alison Farn-Leigh
Built in the 1930s, this five bedroom, three-and-a-half bath storybook New England home has housed just two families in its history. At 3,781 square feet, the home’s expansive Roger Bartels family room capitalizes on the surrounding seascape with windowed walls centered on an oversized, statement-making fireplace.
110 Shore Road
Listed for: $3,895,500
Listed by: Alison Farn-Leigh
Situated on an oversized lot and featuring coffered ceilings, hexagonal window muntins and a compass floor inlay, this 1890s Victorian was restored by renowned architecture firm Austin Patterson Disston in 2005. Amenities in this 5,130 square foot, five bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom home include a temperature-controlled wine cellar and heated saltwater pool.
14 Rocky Point Road
Nearing the Sound just off Shore Road, this Rocky Point Road listing epitomizes the sought-after coastal lifestyle, drinking in sparkling ocean vistas from nearly every room.
Listed for: $4,375,000
Listed by: Alison Farn-Leigh
Greeting guests with a wraparound porch and grandiose double doors, this 5,189 square foot home with optional sixth bedroom and five-and-a-half bathrooms has been upgraded top-to-bottom. Outfitted with custom Elizabeth Eakins carpeting, the home is appointed with a Sub-Zero wine refrigerator, Sonos audio system and saltwater pool, slide and waterfall.
On the Market in Riverside
146 Hendrie Avenue
At the crossroads of Old Greenwich and Riverside, this newly constructed Hendrie Avenue home overlooks Binney Park, the picturesque backdrop for the town’s Fourth of July celebration.
Listed for: $4,395,000
Listed by: JoAnn McCarthy
Dubbed a smart home for its mobile app-enabled systems and an attached, electric car-friendly garage, this sprawling 7,693 square foot home features six bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms. A palatial center hall with a 9-foot, 6-inch ceiling stretches the length of the home, showcasing a tranquil water feature on the back terrace. Conveniences include a mahogany library and marble laundry room with two washing machines, two dryers and a soaking sink.
To learn more about each listing, visit AskElliman.com.
