Normandy-style home with private lake access in Greenwich listed for $35M

GREENWICH — The home, unlike most, is not known for its address, but a name: "Topping Hill." The area originally had three houses, but was slowly bought over time with the goal of creating one, Topping Hill. Construction for the French, Normandy-style home was completed in 2020, though planning began long before. Katie Schaller, a co-lister of Coldwell Banker Realty, said the owner and main architect spent a year traveling the United States to look for inspiration. After months of looking for timeless homes, they came across the Ensel and Eleanor Ford house in Michigan. The 1927 home, which overlooks Lake St. Clair, outside of Detroit, soon became the team’s inspiration. It took more than three years to complete the custom-built home at Topping Hill as the exterior has hand-honed granite. “It was built like homes were over 100 years ago,” said Schaller about the intense care put into the home. The house was intentionally set to overlook the expansive backyard and private lake that is shared with a few other homes. The main living areas, including the living and dining rooms, as well as some bedrooms, were designed to be southern facing, exposing the rooms to the most sun. There are a total of six bedrooms and eight-and-a-half bathrooms across 14,887 square feet of living space, per the listing. The name Topping Hill is reflected in the property, with the backyard on a slight decline leading to the lake. The 27 acres has walking paths, an entire organic vegetable garden, fruit trees and direct access to the Greenwich horse-back riding trail, according to Schaller. The fairytale-like garden shows the same level of prestige and care as the home's meticulous construction. The landscape-architect for the home was Greenwich-based Janice Parker. She collaborated Stephen Scanniello, an expert in roses. Some of Scanniello’s work includes the gardens at the White House and the New York Botanical Garden. Other outdoor amenities include a Har-Tru tennis court and gazebo, a stone and slate boathouse and brand-new dock to the lake, as well as an indoor pool with all-around doors connecting to the gardens. Schaller enjoys the land the most as it was all newly constructed, describing the gardens as "magical." The completely private yard sits more than 600 feet off the road. Topping Hill is co-listed by Katie Schaller and Pam Cunconan of Coldwell Banker Realty 203-622-1100.

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