Tide Mill Basin | 191 Kirby Lane, Rye

Iconic Custom Waterfront Estate

CLIMATE-CHANGE ACCOMMODATING, NY CITY-COMMUTABLE BY BOAT

A transformative project for Rye’s legendary Tide Mill, which has operated as a family-owned 50-slip yacht marina for 50 years, is being re-imagined as a private, luxury-resort-style waterfront compound for you.

This unparalleled waterfront estate, sited on storied Kirby Pond, is the vision of Westchester’s leading luxury builder, Paul Varsames. His objective is threefold: to bring to life a breathtaking transitional compound in a shoreline enclave highlighting expansive views of both Long Island Sound and Kirby Pond; to preserve and reimagine the historic legacy of the iconic on-site 18th century Tide Mill red barn; and to maximize the tucked-back coastal location to ensure absolute privacy and protection for the home and its many amenities.

Tide Mill’s location is unrivaled. Not only 10 minutes to Westchester Airport, but 3 minutes to picturesque downtown Rye. Nautically, Tide Mill offers swift access to Long Island Sound with easy trips to the Hamptons, Nantucket, the Vineyard and the Cape....plus the option to commute to Manhattan by boat. By car, all major highways---95, 287 and the Hutch—are minutes away.

This is the rarest opportunity to own one of the most iconic waterfront properties in Rye that’s been in the same family for half a century. Don’t miss it. The tide is turning!

Elegantly appointed 2-acre outdoor space includes covered terrace, spa, sparkling pool and pool house and outdoor shower.

Exceptional outdoor oasis room tailored made for entertaining and relaxation features grill, kitchen, TV in the lounge area, and dining area for twelve.

Premium amenities include heated 8-car garage, commercial size elevator, full generator.

Gym with glass walls and panoramic views equipped with sauna and full bath with luxurious steam shower.

Flex room offers endless possibilities for leisure pursuits---whether yoga or art studio or sport space for golf simulator.

Private resort-like guest house boasts open concept design illuminated by abundant windows with captivating water views. Two ensuite bedrooms, a great room for cooking, eating and relaxing, plus a powder room.

Grand foyer adorned with glistening glass doors and windows that welcome natural light all day: a preview of the captivating wrap-around seascape views that define this structure.

Double height living room lets you savor the spectacular water vistas through expansive glass walls that seamlessly connect to the rear terrace.

Gourmet chef’s kitchen features exclusive luxury appliances, walk-in pantry and breathtaking water views.

The primary bedroom suite encompasses fireplace, custom walk-in closets, spa bath, a pair of offices, chic sitting area and private balcony with panoramic views of the Sound!

Why Rye, New York

With its natural abundance and picturesque Long Island Sound location, Rye’s desirability dates to English settlers who, in 1660, launched a thriving farming community. In time, the town evolved into a center for oystering and grist mills and with the advent of the railroad in 1849 it became a grand go-to summer resort where affluent New Yorkers built elegant waterfront homes. Once cars started rolling up in the 1920s, Rye transformed into a coveted year-round hub for families and professionals.

Today it’s about strength in numbers. Not only does Rye boast a 27-mile ride to Manhattan, 10-miles to Westchester County Airport, 14 miles of coastline and 7 private clubs (golf, yacht, beach & rowing), but also nearly 400 years of being at the crossroads of American history.

Rye’s illustrious resort-caliber waterfront coupled with proximity to NYC has produced a “small city” rich with three Michelin Guide-selected restaurants, luxury boutiques, abundant green spaces and a roster of renowned residents: Olympic athletes, award-winning actors, writers, hedge funders, one First Lady and a Founding Father.

The visionary and the enterprising have always been drawn to Rye. With the early discovery that the area’s natural brooks generated such an unusually strong flow of water, industrious locals established more than 20 super highyielding mills before the American Revolution On this very site, on land granted by King George III, go-getter colonist Wright Frost built the Tide Mill in 1770. It was a fully functional flour mill until the dawn of the 20th century, when the Tide Mill property was repurposed as a popular marina, which it has remained until the present day.

Homebuyers are still drawn to the year-round coastal resort experience, the stunning architecture, abundance of watersports and private clubs, and the plentiful options of cultural venues and nearby private schools.

Naturally, with the multiple convenient travel options open to Rye---flying, driving or training-- residents still take advantage of the local harbors, marinas and private boat slips and the centuries-old tradition of voyaging to and from their fair city by sea.

Residing at Tide Mill, with your own private deep-water marina with five slips, traveling by water is a breeze. Anchors aweigh!

Points of Interest

Downtown Rye

Downtown Greenwich or Greenwich Avenue

Private Clubs in Rye

Manursing Island Club

Coveleigh Beach and Tennis

Shenorock Beach and Tennis

American Yacht Club

Apawamis Club

Westchester Country Club

Private Clubs in Greenwich

Burning Tree Country Club

Fairview Country Club

Greenwich Country Club

Greenwich Rowing Club

Indian Harbor Yacht Club

Innis Arden Golf Club

The Milbrook Club

Riverside Yacht Club

Round Hill Club

Stanwich Club

Rye Recreation Options

Rye Town Park/Oakland Beach

Rye Arts Center

Rye Nature Center

Edith G. Reed Wildlife Sanctuary

RowAmerica

Schools

Rye Country Day

Greenwich Country Day

Greenwich Academy

Sacred Heart

Holy Child

Brunswick

Transportation

Westchester County Airport

Metro North

I95 and 287

Hutchinson River Parkway/Merritt Parkway

The Compound

Unparalleled custom transitional with wrap-around water views to be built as a showpiece of luxury coastal living in Rye. Conceived by Westchester’s leading luxury developer Paul Varsames, this unprecedented shoreline enclave encompasses a 7-bedroom 11,000 sq ft main house, 1,497 sq ft guest house, fully renovated 2,330 sq ft 18th century Tide Mill house/recreation barn, and deep water 5-yachtaccommodating marina. With striking architectural lines, open floor plan, firepits, and pool, this sleek transitional compound on 2.58 acres is designed for a yearround luxury resort lifestyle that’s a watersport lover’s ultimate fantasy. Sited on the historic Tide Mill Yacht Basin parcel, affording panoramic prospects of both idyllic Kirby Pond and Long Island Sound—this unprecedented property allows family and friends to kayak, paddleboard and swim in privacy on the protected Pond or power up the yacht or hoist the sails and within minutes you’re cruising the Sound.

The 14,827 sq ft waterfront oasis will include 2 acres of lawn, specimen trees and sea grasses. A few yards off the boat slips you will row to your private island for picnics for family and friends.

Historical Tide Mill Basin

When Peter Disbrow, John Coe, and Thomas Stedwell purchased the land that became Rye in 1660, John Coe took much of North Manursing Island and the land across the water “on the maine”. The treaty for “Manussing” having been signed with the friendly Mohegans, the trio smoked the traditional peacepipe with the Indian salesmen. In the following years the land passed through the hands of many people, ancestors of families still living in Rye: the Sherwoods, Merritts, and Birds to name a few.

In 1770, Wright Frost acquired the “hammocks” that made up the land around Hyatts Cove and built 3 dams and the Mill building on land granted by King George III of England in 1770.

Unique to this Mill was the use of two wheels which were turned by the outgoing water and ran four “run of stones” to grind grain brought to the Mill. The actual

operation depended on the twice daily tide admitted into the back pond, imprisoned behind a sluice gate, and let out by the miller with a fall of about four or five feet. Five or six hours’ grinding could be managed with each tide. The miller slept in a wing of the Mill so as to lose no time when the tide came in, and was even wakened at night by an bell rigged to the water level as it dropped outside the dam.

The Mill’s output at times was as high as 150 to 180 barrels of flour a week, ground from wheat brought from as far away as Virginia and Georgia as well as Long Island. Grain dealers from Fulton Street in New York sent much of the southern grain for grinding and barreling in barrels made in the Mill’s own cooper shop. The ships tied up at the end of the mill opposite the pond. The grain was hoisted into barrels to the top of the mill by horse power where the grain was dumped into a bin, traveled to the other end of the building, and descended to ground level as it was ground into flour.

During the American Revolution, the English Army, having walked across a frozen Long Island Sound, camped out “by thee ol’red Mill” prior to their attack on Greenwich. In 1812, the Mill was sold to David Kirby, whose name remains prominent today. By 1818, David Kirby had acquired all the land along both sides of the current Kirby Lane from Manursing Island to Grace Church Street. Kirby owned and operated the mill until 1852.

In 1852, Kirby sold the Mill to Isaac Crooker, a flour merchant from Oyster Bay who built a house on Grace Church Street in 1847. Crooker had been the major grain merchant for the Mill for many years.

At the turn of the Century, the property was bought by the Sackett family. The Sacketts lived in the large grey house on Grace Church Street. Mrs. Sackett soon hired Jake Senf to run the operation. During this time the mill

went out of operation and the property was primarily used as a boatyard although tending the sluice gates continued (and still does today!).

Although Jake never owned the yard, his son Reggie Senf bought the yard with the Boardman family in the 1940’s. The yard was known as Jake’s BoatYard until the 1970’s when the name was changed to Tide Mill Yacht Basin. In 1972, Frank Donahue bought the yard with the Donahue family continuing the business today.

It was during the late 17th Century that the pirate, Captain Kidd, was said to have plied his trade and, history books tell us, he used the many inlets along Long Island Sound to stow his ill-gotten booty. He no doubt found Tide Mill a jewel of a harbor then as it remains today.

Joan O’Meara Sara Gore

Joan O’Meara is a seasoned associate broker at Houlihan Lawrence. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Joan has established herself as a top performing agent, consistently closing 50+ transactions annually. Her expertise and commitment to her clients have earned her recognition by Real Trends, ranking her among the top agents in the nation. Joan is also one of the top ranked agents in the Rye office and the leader of the #1 team in Rye City, testaments to her success and popularity among clients.

Joan’s extensive knowledge of new construction homes, combined with her experience and market knowledge, makes her an invaluable resource for buyers and sellers alike. As a Westchester native and a mother who raised her four adult children in Rye, Joan brings a unique understanding and passion for the area to her clients. Her commitment to excellence and dedication to her clients have made her a trusted advisor and valued agent at Houlihan Lawrence.

An Emmy-winning lifestyle host and residential matchmaker, Sara Gore is a luxury property specialist who works exclusively with SERHANT. Signature clients looking to achieve their real estate dreams in the world’s most dynamic market. She is noted for her passion, professionalism, market knowledge, and sincerity, and her vast industry network ensures that her clients have access to the best experts in design, architecture, staging, home improvement, and more.

Sara was a personal chef and food columnist. Her Emmy-nominated show, Recipe Revamp, took food lovers on a journey to meet renowned chefs and discover the secrets behind their signature dishes. She still loves everything that has to do with food—just ask her husband and three kids—but she is excited by the pace, opportunities, and sense of discovery that real estate offers. Being able to match the perfect person with their perfect home is a rush that never gets old for her.

Paul Varsames

The most successful luxury developer in Westchester, with over 30 years experience and 50 first-rate houses in Rye to his name, Paul Varsames is carrying on--and surpassing--Rye’s 200 year old tradition of building spectacular estates on the shoreline.

With the 2022 sales of his 4 Topsail Lane and 45 Manursing Way, he created a whole new level of luxury in Rye. After meeting with Paul and his team, the ultimate buyers for Topsail and Manursing Way bought off-the-floor plans in under a month! Such is the credibility and confidence Varsames and his long-time trusted team inspire in client after client. Initially honing his craft alongside his father, one of Westchester’s most reputable builders, Varsames has gained a reputation for collaborating exclusively with the most renowned designers, contractors and landscapers and ultimately delivering five-star properties. The experience of a Varsames-built home invariably generates reams of superlative-laden testimonials. Varsames is not only the largest landowner in Rye, he is also a resident who is deeply committed to the community: a familiar, trusted face around town and on the job, who is an active supporter of the Rye YMCA and Rye Police. Paul’s longstanding relationship with the City of Rye ensures confidence that Paul will more than do justice to this historic parcel. Not only will he meticulously restore the 1770 barn, but re-imagine and restructure the marina with 5 slips for personal use, rigging it with every possible state of the art, environment-respecting technology. Thriving for over 300 years, the new Tide Mill will be built to last for another 300 or more.

Main House

Main House

Guest House

Site Plan