THE ULTIMATE NEW BUILD: SETTING THE NEXT STANDARD IN LUXURY
Brian Milton is an expert on the luxury market in Greenwich CT and northern Westchester, and among the most elite real estate agents across the entire New York-Tristate region.
We sat down with Brian to discuss current luxury market trends with focus on new development and the evolution of its design in response to the changing needs of today’s buyers.
Brian Milton, Luxury Real Estate Agent in Northern Westchester and Greenwich, CT
You’re currently representing a premiere new luxury build, 543 Stanwich Road. What sets this property apart from the other luxury new builds in Greenwich?
With respect to Greenwich’s most prestigious roads, 543 Stanwich is one of the greatest examples of new construction in the area. It is a custom house with no expense spared. Every detail was reviewed with the client and builder and in turn, elevates the end result. It was a labor of love between the owner, the builder and the architect.
Take the lighting design throughout the home. Each fixture and finish is exquisite. The lighting behind the crown moldings and throughout the kitchen is so thoughtfully detailed and considered. The way the chandeliers are incorporated into the ceiling millwork is spectacular. The lighting design is cutting edge and ultra high end.
Another notable aspect to the home is its neutral palette, so there isn’t only a functional flow of the physical layout but also an aesthetic flow as you move between the spaces. The only exception to the soft colors is in the formal home office: it’s a very rich black, with marble and built-ins. The owner designed the flow to go from this soft palette into this dark, rich palette. He created the contrast to great effect.
What else is unique about this property?
The most unique element of Stanwich is the symmetry of the architecture. There is balance, precisely calculated and executed to achieve the owner’s vision.
The story behind the design of the home is also interesting. The owner spent three years building it, incorporating elements from his extensive world travels. For example, the St Regis - Puerto Rico has soaring ceilings in its spectacular yet cozy living room area. The owner of 543 Stanwich designed this living room with that design in mind: dramatic large scale high ceilings while maintaining an intimate feel. A favorite feature of London townhomes are their shiny black doors, so the owner used a black shiny front door here at Stanwich. In Asia, high end retail stores often feature beautiful chandeliers so the owner brought these into this home, with chandeliers crafted by Baccarat and the like.
The exterior of Stanwich was inspired by the owner’s local travels: its style is a mix of Hamptons, Greenwich and the Pacific Palisades. By combining these three aesthetics, the owner was able to create balance: modern touches but with a traditional sensibility.
What benefits does a new build provide as compared to an older home? Is there an opportunity to save on energy costs, or use space more efficiently?
The benefits of a new build versus an older home are extensive. This particular home on Stanwich has geothermal heating and cooling, a major advantage of a brand new home from an efficiency perspective compared to any pre-build or older home. There are people for whom this aspect is very important, so you get both the value-add of the house being more sustainable and its operating costs being significantly less than with traditional heating and cooling.
Stanwich also has the finest smart features installed, including smart lighting, music, window treatments, and security cameras. The home has special comfort features, including heated floors and heated shower floors. There is a whole house generator and extensive water filtration systems. Stanwich is even equipped with extensive lightning protection to ward off power surges and ensure uninterrupted service during a storm. It’s quite cutting edge.
The height of ceilings in newer homes is generally 11'+, which people often seek out and appreciate. The exterior finishes, siding and windows are all top of the line.
If you had to renovate an older home and bring it up to the level of the interior and exterior finishes, mechanicals, smart features and modern layout of 543 Stanwich, it would take much more time and money than simply purchasing this move-in-ready new build. Every feature has been considered and included here.
Can you tell us about 543 Stanwich’s “Back Country” location within Greenwich? What special appeal does backcountry Greenwich have for buyers in the ultra luxury market?
Back Country Greenwich offers more land, privacy and expanse for amenities. It has a “country feel” while still close to Greenwich’s gorgeous downtown, world-class shops and boutiques, and abundant culture, arts and fine dining.
Back Country also has terrific proximity to highways, close enough to New York City for a day trip while also having its own, sprawling 4-acre private compound. The luxury lifestyle doesn’t get any better than this.
How are developers responding to the changing needs of buyers because of Covid? Have floorplans, layouts, amenities and features changed as people seek more space, home offices, home gyms, and even homeschooling?
Pre-Covid, the fundamental home design was open spaces. One post-Covid trend is shifting back to having personal spaces within the house, like multiple work-from-home spaces. Related to this is how vital smart technology has become, with so many working part- or full-time from home.
Amenities are another trending priority for new builds. Previously, luxury buyers spent much of their leisure time at country clubs and resorts but since Covid, buyers are seeking a more private experience with the same high end amenities. Sports features, like swimming pools, pool houses, tennis courts, sports courts, you name it.
The floorplan is also important. The home has become everything, and needs to appeal to and accommodate all age groups, from grandchildren to grandparents. New builds are designed with this in mind, with an ideal flow to entertain large groups and also the privacy to enjoy personal amenities. These homes are built for entertainment and private life. The rooms, property, layout, amenities, and indoor/outdoor living are set up for the whole family to enjoy 24-7-365.