Few movie stars have stirred Americans’ hearts like Audrey Hepburn. In the 1954 movie Sabrina, the last directed by Billy Wilder for Paramount Pictures, she co-starred with Humphrey Bogart and William Holden to portray the daughter of the chauffer to the wealthy Larrabees. The fictional family’s cinematic home was a gracious red brick house built in Rye, New York in 1917. Now that very house is for sale, newly on the market for $11 million.
Known as “The Anchorage,” the Georgian manor was designed by the notable architect Mott B Schmidt, and landscape designer Ellen Biddle Shipman. Today, the waterfront estate is considered to be the largest intact waterfront Sound Shore property in Westchester County, with over six acres and an additional four and one-half riparian acres. With some of the most exclusive real estate in the country, New York’s Westchester County is known for suburban luxury living with easy access to first-class urban amenities.
With 9,437 square feet, the house has seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms. It is located at the end a long driveway that offers brilliant views of the water before reaching the main house. The grounds also offer a private beach, a walled pool terrace, a detached barn/garage, and a guest cottage with boat storage.
The rooms are classic, with spacious formal rooms. Interior details include beautiful oak parquet and brick herringbone floors, carved detailed moldings and walls, French doors that take advantage of the views and great natural light. The expansive marble entry hall features a compelling, direct vista to the water as well as a sweeping curved staircase. The private library, formal living room and dining rooms all offer wood burning fireplaces. The waterside of the house provides a brick courtyard terrace, and terraced lawn, flanked by two large east and west sunrooms with matching balconies above.
The expansive kitchen and walk-in pantry, paired with a butler’s pantry, are ideal for entertaining. A second entrance leads from the mudroom to the gated kitchen garden and covered porch. Adjacent to this is a versatile room with a private bath that could be used as a recreation room, a pool cabana or, for those who want one-level living, a first-floor bedroom.
The primary suite features two full baths, two fireplaces, multiple closets and access to the west balcony. The second floor also has five additional bedrooms, three baths, three versatile rooms, two fireplaces, the east balcony and multiple closets.
The third floor has a very modern, very hotly desired amenity: a skylit fitness/yoga studio. On this level, there is also a full bath and additional storage.
“The Anchorage” is a piece of classic movie history. It is also a gracious and timeless piece of classic architecture.