Willow Pond is one of the original 22 beach villas built during the turn of the 19th century that comprise Bay Crest Association. The area was originally developed to attract well-heeled families from the city who wanted to summer by the Sound in what were referred to as "beach cottages." Each of the homes built were architecturally unique, but similar; each has (had) rich character, significant scale, large porches and sweeping properties with unobstructed views of Huntington Bay.
Willow Pond has been consistently renovated and updated to remain current, yet classic. An estate like approach to the porte cochere and wrap front porch excite prior to entering the home. The generous foyer with rich parquet floors, high ceilings and floor to ceiling moldings opens to the living room, dining room and library/office with wood burning fireplace. The living room has a custom green onyx gas fireplace and raised panel walls with a large picture window overlooking the front porch. The music room seamlessly flows from the living room, it too has a large picture window overlooking the grounds, pond and Sound. Gorgeous bordered parquet floors, milled cherry pillars, cabinets, moldings and walls of Marvin windows contribute to making the Rotunda one of the home's highlights. A built-in wet bar with front porch access, a hammered brass sink, beverage refrigerator, oversized windows, granite counters and an abutting buffet area (also with built-in cabinets) allow for the room to transition to a perfect area for entertaining.
Bay Crest homes are known for their expansive dining rooms and Willow Pond delivers just that. Able to accommodate large gatherings, the room exudes warmth with rich wood floors, raised panel walls, deep floor and ceiling moldings, and doors to the back patio that frame beautiful windows and direct water views.
Awash in natural light, the newly renovated Wood Mode kitchen is a well-designed, welcoming hub with rich oak floors, granite counters, copious cabinetry and top-shelf appliances and hardware that include Bosch, Sub Zero and Perrin-Rowe. The adjoining breakfast room's picture window allows for round the clock views of Willow Pond and the Bay. A built-in desk area with cabinets is flanked by a powder room and laundry room with carpeted steps to the partially finished lower level. Direct elevator access to the lower and second floors is between the kitchen and breakfast room.
The partially finished lower level has built-in overflow cabinets, a 3000 bottle, temperature-controlled wine cellar, and access to the elevator, back patio and the temperature-controlled, tandem 4-car garage with work bench and tool cabinets. Generous storage space, an additional work bench and the home's utilities are in the unfinished portion of the basement.
The second floor has a considerable landing with parquet floors. A private sitting room with vaulted ceilings, a green onyx gas fireplace, marble ensuite bathroom with radiant heated floors, steam shower and Lefroy Brooke's hardware and rain head, and the custom designed dressing room opens to the primary bedroom through double doors. The large picture window in the primary bedroom draws in full water views; the vaulted ceiling with cove lighting gives the room a warm glow. The second primary ensuite bathroom is white onyx with radiant floors, a steam shower built-in bench and custom hardware. A large picture window lends water views from the jetted tub. There are two additional delicious en suite bedrooms with walls of windows and wood floors; in total there are four bedrooms and four full bathrooms on the second floor. The third level houses the fifth bedroom/gym/guest room in addition to a tiled full hall bathroom and considerable storage space.
Meticulously landscaped with estate fencing and an outstanding selection of perennials and mature trees, the 2.53 acre property is a supremely private and peaceful year-round setting. Accenting the back property is a bluestone and brick patio that runs the length of the house, perfect for al fresco dining and evening cocktails. A bespoke, in-ground, solar heated, gunite pool with bluestone coping overlooks Willow Pond and the Bay, with direct views of Connecticut, Eatons Neck and Asharoken. A short stroll along the back lawn opens to 100' of direct waterfront on Huntington Bay. Head west a short distance to Bay Crest Association beach complete with two pavilions, a pier, floats, restrooms and shower, lifeguards, a seasonal and vibrant social calendar, day camp, lifeguards and deeded beach and mooring rights. This home, this location, this Bay Crest offers an unparalleled lifestyle along the North Shore of Long Island.