This Stately Greek Revival Mansion Faces Long Island Sound

You’ve seen them so many times, you may take them for granted: vintage American buildings that look like they would be at home in the Acropolis. They’re Greek Revival in style, and this house is a classic example: three bays in front, Doric columns on a central porch, pilasters on the corners, a blind cupola, and dentil molding under the roof. What’s so unexpected about this particular Greek Revival home, however, is that it was built in 2015.

The Greek Revival style was most popular in the mid-19th century. It was the architectural expression, in some respects, of the Enlightenment. Ideas about reason and individualism, liberty, progress, toleration, constitutional government and separation of church and state became widely accepted‚ ideas which originated in ancient Greek philosophy. At the same time, serious archaeological expeditions and study into ancient Greece had begun and books were published with engravings showing these ancient marvels.

The owners of this Rye residence, in New York’s suburban Westchester County, are hedge funders who had the place custom-built for them. So who knows, maybe their goal was to have their home echo the designs of classic banks or the New York Stock Exchange. The 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath, 6,233-square-foot house is nicely situated across the street from Rye Town Park, which includes a bathing beach, so that many rooms boast water views. It’s within walking distance of Rye Playland and its ice rink, too. Set on one-third of an acre, the property is available for $4 million via April Saxe at Compass.

The listing points out that the house was not a spec build, with the owners choosing everything top of the line: “Urban Archeology, Waterworks, reclaimed wood floors, Marvin Windows, Christopher Peacock cabinetry, Blue Star Range,” and so on. Yep, schmancy. The custom millwork is particularly handsome, as are the gorgeous reclaimed-wood floors.

The kitchen is the showstopper: it’s huge, but exudes warmth in a high-end farmhouse feel, with dark flagstones on the floor and an antique icebox or schrank taking up one wall. Martha herself would love the built-in designed to show off antique platters, and note how thick all that white marble is, a sign of quality. Besides the more formal rooms, there’s both an adult den and a cute playroom for the kids in the lower level. And out back is a two-car garage.

Gotta love a house that references democratic ideals from thousands of years ago while making space for plenty of flatscreens!