The Legacy of a Generational River Road Mansion

by Taylor Riley Geiser | photos courtesy Amy Wagner

River Road is home to some of the City of Louisville’s most marvelous and extravagant homes. Down a mile-long gated driveway not seen from the road is a multi-generational historical property–Shady Brook Estate–that has recently sold to an unfamiliar buyer.

The Glenview-area 10,000-square-foot main property and 2,500 square-foot additional space was built in 1905, according to Realtor Amy Wagner who listed the home with broker Gant Hill of Gant Hill & Associates. The Tudor Revival-style property has been on the market for almost a decade, so selling the main and guest houses was a “win-win” for everyone,” says Amy, who also owns Reflections of You, by Amy and A&K Home Services. Located on 15 acres, the property’s landscaping was originally designed by the Olmsted Brothers, a renowned firm known for its signature design of high profile projects like universities, libraries, residential neighborhoods and state capitals.

The elegant foyer leads you to a stately billiard and game room with wainscoting from floor to ceiling. The main hallway includes marble mosaic flooring, French doors that lead to the patio and a staircase to the second floor. Also on the first floor is a greeting parlor, large library, an elegant living room, a formal dining room and sunroom.

A cozy family room can also be used as a primary suite, adding to the 5 bedrooms upstairs with period en-suite bathrooms. Three bedrooms upstairs are perfect for kiddos, as spiral staircases lead up to loft spaces. The 2,000 square-foot glass-enclosed entertainment space, separate from the main home, includes a lap pool and bar area. “With the views, privacy, and property itself, it’s a hidden treasure,” Amy says.

To update the property for potential buyers, Amy provided her expert advice on planning the maintenance, which included updating the paint colors to neutral “greige” tones, as well as removing some furniture for the buyer to see the architectural features of the home. “It made a world of difference,” Amy says. “The goal was not to be too taste-specific.” Floral arrangements were added for appeal and dead trees were removed. What remained were distinct features like unique wallpaper, hand-painted murals, hardwood and marble flooring, an aquarium in the master bath, a slate roof and Rookwood tile.

Gant has known the sellers for over 30 years. He says, “ It was an honor to represent this incredible property and the family that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for over 30 years.”

Amy adds, “(The house) truly appealed to the targeted market, once it was complete and the marketing was in place, we felt extremely confident in the potential it had to sell.” The buyers were familiar with the house, but they were not members of the family who had owned it since the 1960s. “The buyers were thrilled and ready with plans to make it their own,” Amy says.

To see additional listings by Broker Gant Hill and Sales Associate Amy Wagner go to ganthill.com. For more information on Reflections of You, by Amy, go to amywagnerdesigns.com.