Striking New Jersey Home of a Macy’s Heir Shops for a Buyer for $1.5M
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A spectacular New Jersey home with incredible links to American history needs a new steward.
The 4,950-square-foot estate is in Red Bank, NJ, in the township of Middletown. It is situated on 12 acres and was originally built in 1930 for Herbert Straus. He was an heir of Macy’s department store co-owner, Isidor Straus.
Notably, Isidor Straus perished on the Titanic in 1912 with his wife, Ida, who refused a lifeboat seat in order to stay by her husband’s side as the ship was sinking.
As for Herbert Straus, he had the estate built in 1930, with materials transported from Europe. The picturesque place was originally set on 143 acres.
The spread known as Cobble Close Farm today consists of four residences that operate under a co-op model. This listing—for the former dairy barn converted into the main home—is asking $1,575,000 and is being handled by Kate Raftery, of Resources Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International.
All four residences are built of stucco and cast stone with ceramic-tiled roofs. The property is artfully arranged with fountains, gardens, a pool, expansive lawns, and Greco-Roman statues, which give it an Old World vibe.
Restored residence
In 1953, Fred Century and Woody Browne purchased this French Country-style estate and restored it. They are only the third owners. Their legendary parties attracted actresses such as Nadia Gray and Elaine Stritch.
Its look has made it a favorite spot for fashion, film, and television shoots, the listing notes.
Reportedly, Century and Browne even received a request to film the Francis Ford Coppola-directed crime drama, “The Godfather”on the property.
“And they said no,” Raftery notes.
The home features unique amenities such as a solarium and parlor. Deep-red carpeting and walls in the dining room are a fun accent, while peachy-hued sitting areas showcase the home’s aptitude for entertaining. Stone fireplaces and pointed-arch doorways present a Gothic effect.
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A pond alongside a colonnade with columns add to the property’s regal aesthetic. And charmingly, newly planted lavender fields are expected to burst with fragrance soon.
Browne died in the 1980s and Century passed in 2021, making this an estate sale.
“The property is definitely in need of a modern touch, but it is a period piece—especially in the kitchen,” Raftery says.
Outdated appliances and wood paneling could easily be swapped out. And because square footage is plentiful, a dream kitchen is well within reach.
The home being sold as a co-op translates to a true bargain.
“[You get to live] in one of the most prestigious areas of Monmouth County, without paying for the whole area,” says Raftery. “You’re also sharing the exterior upkeep with your neighbor.”
The owners also pay a homeowners association fee of $3,200 a month.
A smaller, three-bedroom house on the property is coming up for sale soon, but the buyer of this $1,575,000 listing will have first right of refusal.
Close to Manhattan
The buyer may well come from New York City, as it’s only a 40-minute ferry trip or 45-minute car ride away.
“Ever since the pandemic, we’ve been getting people in droves from the city,” Raftery says. “We have beaches and farmland. We’ve really been attracting the city buyers, especially those with children. We have really great schools.”
The co-op model may also resonate with Manhattan residents.
“That’s a little foreign to the New Jersey market,” says Raftery. “I’ve been targeting New York.”
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