"Erchless"
Old Westbury, New York
Welcome to "Erchless"
The Incorporated Village of Old Westbury is located on the North Shore of Long Island just 25 miles east of Manhattan. Close to fine dining and shopping, the area has acclaimed resources such as the historic Old Westbury Gardens and miles of equestrian trails. It offers a lifestyle where exceptional living can be enjoyed.
Commissioned in 1935 by Howard Phipps and his wife Harriet Dyer Price, Erchless is a consummate 92acre Gold Coast estate replete with a magnificent twenty-six room mansion. Amenities, such as a sparkling swimming pool with two enchanting Oriental teahouse-style cabanas and a tennis court, are beautifully integrated into the captivating botanic gardens. For equestrian and horticulture pursuits, there is a carriage barn, a milk/cow barn, a nursery, greenhouses, stables with a hay loft said to have boarded one of Secretariat’s progeny and the thoroughbred racehorse Seabiscuit, and pastoral turnout horse paddocks. Cottages and dependencies are sprinkled throughout the property. The glorious beauty of the awardwinning gardens and gracious residence reflect a timeless grandeur where classic architecture and artistry have been meticulously maintained to create an unparalleled property of distinction.
Begun thirty years before the completion of the main residence, the resplendent gardens at Erchless are attributed in their early design to the influence of Umberto Innocenti, a well-known landscape designer. Philip Goodwin, designer of the original Museum of Modern Art, curated the garden’s charming statuary. In more recent years, George Woodard, noted horticulturist and garden designer, has developed and overseen the estate since 1981. The exceptional gardens are designed to be experienced by walking through them to discover their beauty, to enjoy their year-round fragrance and to behold the rare and prolific plantings they contain.
Integral to the history of the gardens, Howard Phipps had an ardent interest in the flowering rhododendron genus. Over several years, he imported thousands of bare root rhododendron plants from the Rothchild estate in England and hybridized them to create many varieties that grace the gardens at Erchless today. Howard Phipps, Jr. and his wife Mary Stone Phipps, who served as President and Chair of the renowned Old Westbury Gardens, continued to augment and improve the gardens with walking paths, walled, cutting and vegetable gardens. Over the last 45 years, the legacy of the family has been honored with the production of thousands of rhododendron genus hybrid crosses. The Rhody Hill garden features rhododendron, thousands of which were grown from seed. The Japanese garden features a Shogun seat for rest and contemplation and hedges meticulously pruned by hand. The Catwalk is filled with a proliferation of blooming rhododendron, magnolia and rare Japanese Jack in the Pulpits. Native plants adorn the Meadow garden, and a tremendous separate meadow is mowed only after the milkweed is completed so endangered Monarch butterflies may stop there on their migration. These organic gardens include rhododendron, magnolias, Rutgers dogwood, crepe myrtle, edgeworthia chrysantha, birch, witch hazel, tree peony, hydrangea, camellia, oak, linden, Japanese cherry and flowering Japanese almond trees. There are two allees of majestic beech trees, one American and one European. Layers of perennials, woody shrubs and Galanthus snowdrop are enjoyed throughout. They blend beautifully with statuary, water features and hardscape. The rhododendron garden is considered to be the finest of its kind in the Northeast United States. The distinguished gardens have drawn many admirers, including Ladybird Johnson. Landscape designers, garden clubs and The Garden Conservancy have consulted with and visited, and plants from Erchless are included at the New York and Brooklyn Botanic gardens.
Elegance Redefined.
Handsome red brick piers with attractive gates open to a long drive that travels past mature trees and lush layered plantings to arrive at a welcoming forecourt. The symmetrical U-shaped Georgian-style manor residence is attributed in design to the architect Lewis Greenleaf Adams. Set at the north end of the property, the residence is a work of art masterfully created by world-class artisans with the finest materials. Crowned with a Ludowici tile hipped roof punctuated with substantial chimneys, the residence’s extraordinary facade features red-bricks, created in 18th century Colonial Williamsburg kilns, with subtle variations in color. An Indiana limestone cornice with dentil ornamentation and a centerpiece pediment add contrast and interest to the design.
Once inside, the impressive center hall is distinguished by marble flooring, wainscoting and walls that rise thirteen feet to meet deep decorative crown molding. To the south, sunlight floods the hall through French doors with lovely leaded glass fan and side lights. They frame long vista views of an emerald green lawn overlooking a terraced swimming pool garden and tremendous meadow below. Curved steps lead from one garden to the next. To the west, a gallery hall with a barrel vault ceiling runs along the front axis of the residence. Solid wood doors open to the baronial formal living room dressed with raised panel wainscoting, dentil crown molding and an impressive carved marble fireplace mantle. Three sets of French doors with transom lights open to the gardens where a delightful oval pool features a water fountain. Parquet wood flooring has a rich patina. Adding to the magic of the room, two crystal chandeliers add sparkle and soft illumination. Adjoining the living room, a light-filled solarium with a carved white marble fireplace mantle, vaulted ceiling and marble flooring has floorto-ceiling windows and French doors with arched transom lights to the south and west. Two of these can be automatically lowered opening the solarium to the outdoor breezes and gardens. The solarium leads to the magnificent library wrapped with gleaming English oak paneling and intricately carved wood crown molding. The fireplace features an exquisitely carved mantle with scrollwork. Above the mantle, a carved wood garland depicts flowers, leaves and berries. Books are displayed on inset shelves. Solid raised panel doors open onto the center hall. To the east, the formal dining room is set for elegant entertaining. Scaled to accommodate large celebrations, the room is adorned with refined architectural details. A fireplace adds warm ambiance, and polished parquet wood flooring is set in an attractive chevron pattern. With southern and eastern exposures, the sunlight-filled breakfast room features windows and French doors with fan lights that mirror those found in the solarium. The breakfast room leads to the kitchen complex with pantries, a dumbwaiter, a commercial Viking range, ovens, an ice box and refrigeration. It is well-equipped for gourmet cooking and large-scale entertaining.
Off of the center hall, a wide archway opens to a stair hall featuring an ebony and white marble floor compass star detail. It beautifully emphasizes the grace of the curved floating staircase that rises to the second level arriving at a wide hallway with ten-foot high ceilings. The sumptuous primary suite is comprised of two wellappointed bedrooms each with an en suite bath. The first serene bedroom is generously sized. It features a fireplace and an attractive plaster frieze with an ornate repeating fan and figure pattern. The second bedroom has walls of polished pine paneling with hidden cabinetry, an elaborate layered crown molding and panoramic views of a walled garden with a fountain. There are three spacious and restful bedrooms with en suite baths -- one of which has an attached nursery. In addition, there is another bedroom suite, two comfortable bedroom suites designed for guests, and four petite bedrooms that complete this level. A staircase provides access to a finished attic that functions as a multipurpose recreation room.
Elevated Living.
Erchless is a magnificent 92-acre estate. The residence has central air conditioning for warm weather comfort and a convenient Otis elevator. A two-car attached garage, a separate five-bay garage and a side courtyard provide ample space for parking. Built to last, the residence is solidly constructed with a steel frame. Refined elegance is woven into the original details and finishes maintained to perfection. Its exquisite and irreplaceable fireplace mantles once graced the London residence of Angela Burdett-Coutts, the baroness and philanthropist known as ‘Lady Anonymous’ for her charitable contributions. High ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors, polished layered woodwork and moldings are among the elements that enhance and define the interiors.
Masterful design and construction, combined with award-winning gardens and luxurious amenities, culminate in a preeminent property where gracious living and entertaining endure.
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