Two spectacular turn-of-the-century Victorians, both exquisitely renovated to a seductive hybrid of historical charm and modern comfort. Old is new again.
Circa 1900 Montclair Victorian

170 Wildwood Avenue, Montclair
List Price: $1,699,999 – reduced from $1,837,500
Taxes: $34,511
Lot Size: 0 .51 acres
6 BR/4BA
Pool
Open Sunday, 3/28, 2-4 pm.
Listing Agent: Linda Guilbert, STANTON COMPANY REALTORS 973-202-4155
170 Wildwood is a home that has surprises at every corner. Overall, you immediately feel the love in this pristine, exquisitely kept home. Lovely woodwork and light fixtures, every square inch beautifully painted in dramatic but subtle hues. You’ll have fun walking through and playing “name that color.” (I saw periwinkle, maize, saffron and pumpkin pie.) This is a spacious, warm Victorian manse on a great lot, on a great block, walking distance to A&P market and Upper Montclair. And of course, there’s the quintessential columned front-porch for serving pitchers of lemonade.
Period rooms with contemporary decor keep their charm with numerous cushioned window seats, stained glass, leaded windows, unusual rounded-shape rooms. The five-star kitchen, just two years old, is roomy but not over-sized. Every bathroom has had a major face-lift, even up on the third floor and in the brick-arched basement which has five rooms. The third floor is a dreamy young girl’s suite – a bedroom with sloped ceilings big enough for two double beds, a sofa, and plenty of room for Twister. Outside, a large level yard, back deck overlooking the pool. A family could have a lot of fun here – it’s a must-see.
More info and photos, here.
Circa 1894 Glen Ridge Victorian

56 Douglas Road, Glen Ridge
List Price: $1,499,000
Taxes: $39,305
Lot Size: 0.5 acres
7 BR/4.5BA
Open Sunday 3/28, 2-4pm
Listing Agent: Brigitte Van Note, RHODES VAN NOTE REALTORS 973-744-6033
After a fire in 2003 destroyed the circa 1894 Gothic Victorian on Douglas Road, it was totally rebuilt with historical accuracy and precision craftsmanship under the guidance of Glen Ridge architect Mark Wright. “The original home was built in a highly unusual style for its time. Its gothic features made it look very angular, prim, and compact,” says Wright. He calls the restoration a true labor of love, which was only recently completed in 2008. “During construction we found fragments of paint and hidden mouldings, which we were able to reproduce, creating custom trim and windows. The oldest photo of the home dates to 1899. By 1904 porches were extended and a porte cochere was added, relaxing the character and lending grandeur to the home,” says Wright. During the renovation, Wright convinced the owners to get rid of the ca. 1915 stucco that covered the exterior and recreate the gothic look of the original home; he expanded out the back creating terraces off the second and third floor bedrooms. It is now about twice its original size. “Structurally, the house is essentially new, and we worked closely with the owners to personalize the interiors while keeping with the ecclesiastical and academic overtones that go with gothic style,” adds Wright. 52 Douglas was featured in the February 2010 issue of NJ Design Magazine.
Realtor Remarks: Architectural details of the home include a wrap-around front porch, exquisite mouldings up to the magnificent third floor master bedroom suite with balconies. The kitchen has a breakfast room, a conservatory is off the family room. In the back, there’s a perfect three-room apartment in the Carriage House. There are open porches, patio and a hot tub. Skylights, superior workmanship and quality materials. Finished basement, stereo system, new landscaping with sprinkler system and invisible fence. Walkable to NYC Midtown direct train.
More info on this home and photos, here. There are four lovely photos and more restoration details on the Wright & Robinson Architects website. Click here.