In many ways, the home is ideally located.
Bordering the Hartford Golf Club and overlooking the club’s fourth hole, this home at 111 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, designed by the award-winning architect Roy Bassette, offers stunning views of nature from nearly every room. Its large professionally landscaped lot is level and enhances the feeling of privacy, yet the home is near many services, cultural attractions, and recreational opportunities that make West Hartford a highly desirable community.
Being set well back from the street on a 1.72 acre lot adds to its undeniable curb appeal. The frontal facade, with its artful use of half-timber and stucco over brick in the Tudor style is enhanced by a slate roof. A separate one-acre lot that abuts the property adds to a sense of privacy and is included in the sale.
A circular drive welcomes guests while the gracefully arched front door only hints at what awaits inside. As is the case for many high-end homes built during the 1920s, this home shows a level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and quality of materials that is rarely equalled today.
“This is one of those special homes that is generous in square footage yet still has an element of coziness. The original millwork is intact, every room on the main level has golf course views, and there is a generous setback from the road. There is an abundance of natural light, which is unusual for a Tudor” said Paula Fahy Ostop of William Raveis Real Estate.
The living room is spacious, warm and welcoming, making it ideal for entertaining large parties, more intimate gatherings, or for enjoying on a daily basis. At night, the large fireplace set in a paneled wall will undoubtedly be the focal point of the room. During the day, however, views through the large windows in the adjoining sun room at the rear of the home will garner the most attention. These large windows look across the level landscape that includes a pond, mature trees, and manicured grounds.
The sun room has a slate floor and accesses two patios. Its large windows are a thoughtful upgrade made by a previous owner who replaced smaller units, an improvement that not only enhances the enjoyment of the scenery surrounding the house but also proves to be architecturally compatible with the original design. The living room also has direct access to the patios.
The home office is also directly off the entry hall. It is beautifully finished with wood paneled walls, built-in bookcases and storage cabinets, crown molding, and more stunning views of the landscaping at the rear of the home. For people who conduct business from home, the office is ideally located. Clients can reach it directly from the entry hall without having to walk through the house and one of two half baths is just off the entry hall.
For entertaining, the dining room, equipped with a fireplace, is next to the eat-in kitchen. The dining room has more captivating views of the Hartford Golf Club grounds, a hardwood floor, crown molding and arched recessed shelving for displaying fine china or other keepsakes.
The kitchen offers more spellbinding views of the grounds, along with ample counter space, built-in dual wall ovens, and immediate access to a breakfast nook and family room, which also has a fireplace, skylights, and a door to the patios. This kitchen area will undoubtedly be the center of activity when entertaining. Making life easier, it also enjoys immediate access to the garage, which has room for three cars, plus tools and recreational equipment.
“The main level flows very nicely. You’re not ending up with spaces you’ll never use or rooms you’ll never walk into. The first floor is perfectly suited for today’s lifestyles, even though the home was built in a different era,” Ostop said.
The stairs to the second floor reach a large landing and provide access to six bedrooms, including the primary suite that is served by a gas fireplace, accesses a private second floor sun room, and has an impressive bath and ample closet space. Three smaller bedrooms share a bath off the second floor hall, while two other bedrooms, one with a fireplace, share a Jack-and-Jill bathroom.
“The second floor is where you really start to feel how when the home was built spaces were used a little differently. You have three nicely sized bedrooms, and a corridor with smaller rooms and a smaller bathroom. Today’s buyers could use those spaces as individual home offices, a guest space, or an au pair suite. You could make one of the rooms into a great laundry room. There are a lot of possibilities,” Ostop said.
The third floor has a large bedroom, a separate sitting room, a full bath, and access to attic storage. This area is also ideal for an au pair or for intergenerational living and its added height enhances the views of the Hartford Golf Club course.
“It is an architecturally distinctive residence. It is rare to have over an acre of land in West Hartford and to be in proximity to downtown Hartford and West Hartford Center. The setting is really special.” Ostop said.
Info Box:
Built: 1925
Price: $1,295,000
Style: Tudor
Rooms: 14
Bedrooms: 7
Baths: 4 Full; 2 Half
Square footage: 5,900
Acreage: 1.72 plus the connecting lot.
Mill rate: 44.78
Best Feature: It has an element of grandness thanks to the arched entryways, beautiful millwork, and high ceilings.
Contact: Paula Fahy Ostop
860-748-1845