Drive around the desirable township of Franklin Lakes, in Bergen County, NJ, and you might catch a glimpse of 23 Shinnecock Trail nestled among the surrounding wooded hills. Sitting at the end of a long driveway on 4 acres of land, the magnificent mansion is a property simultaneously built to be ultra-private and to draw the eye.
Completed in 1998, 23 Shinnecock Trail is a sprawling mansion built in the French Revival colonial style, as evidenced by its elegant facade and the subduedly luxurious, traditional interior. To call the main building spacious would be an understatement. Besides sitting in the middle of
an enormous piece of land, blessed with beautiful panoramic views of the Ramapo Mountains, the house itself is vast, with 5 bedrooms, including a luxurious master suite, 2 en-suite bedrooms, and 2 additional bedrooms and full bath, as well as 7 full baths (two of which are located in the pool house) and two half baths. Of course, most people don’t spend the majority of their time in their bedrooms, which is why the house features an astonishing two-story great room with a fabulous classic bar, a kitchen suite which opens to a family room and a striking library with a spiral staircase leading to the wine tasting room.
In addition, this house also sports a 3-car garage with a lift, providing both easy access and ample space to park your cars. By far the biggest draw of this property are its many amenities. A home gym and a large pool are to be expected from a property of this type—after all, what kind of high-end, luxurious mansion does not have a pool sitting in themiddle of a beautifully landscaped backyard? But 23 Shinnecock Trail goes beyond whatis expected, as evidenced by the fact that it is positively chock full of things to do. Fitness and sports lovers will be happy to learn that in addition to the aforementioned fully equipped home gym, the property also boasts its own private lighted tennis court and an indoor basketball court as well.Meanwhile, movie lovers can watch Hollywood’s newest releases in the property’s 10-seat home cinema, or relax in one of its several living room areas.
Thereis also a wine cellar and the aforementioned tasting room for the dedicated wine aficionado. Other indoor amenities include a spa bath, a billiards room and a game room in the basement, while the property’s 4 acres of land also offers extraordinary outdoor features such as a pool with a 30 ft. slide, a spa, a waterfall, a built-in BBQ and pizza oven, a heated pool house, and more. Indeed, the sheer number of activities available to partake at the property was one of the main draws for the current owners. “There’s just so much to do on the property,” said the owner in a phone interview with VUE Magazine. “It’s a home, but it’s also a playhouse.”
In conjunction with its spacious rooms, the fact that 23 Shinnecock Trail is so full of special amenities makes this property the perfect place for grand entertaining, from lavish parties to lovely cookouts in the elegantly landscaped backyard, all with a casual style.Furthermore, despite its size and its amenities, the house itself does not feel overwhelmingly opulent nor excessively ostentatious. Rather, the overall look and feel of the home can best be described as “homey” – from the architectural style to the spacious yet surprisingly intimate layout, to the traditional and subdued decor, this house has an inherently casual and familiar feel. Indeed, that was one of the main aspects that first attracted the current owners when they bought the property almost twenty years ago.
“It’s very homey,” the current owners said. “You feel like you’re at home.” 23 Shinnecock Trail is currently on the market for $3,850,000 An ultra-private, impeccable built family home full of extraordinary features, this is, without doubt, one of the most spectacular properties in Franklin Lakes.
Photo Credits: Bob Skinner Photography & Jump Visual
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