This Gorgeous Private Island Off The Coast Of NYC Just Sold For $3 Million
Owning a private island might be a dream for many, and recently this very dream-worthy home 75 miles away from New York City sold for just under $3,000,000 (actual selling price: $2,999,000). The island, Wheeler Island, is the largest in an archipelago of Connecticut islands known as the Thimble Islands. It was owned by Christine and Edmund Stoecklein, according to the New York Post. Christine Stoecklein is the widow of former Amscan Holdings founder John Svenningsen, and she bought the islands in the early 2000s.
The island itself encompasses .77 acres and is tastefully landscaped to take full advantage of the views of both the ocean and the Connecticut coast. It has its own dock, and is close enough to travel by boat to either Manhattan or the Hamptons (which are only 19 miles away). Of course, the island also features its very own sandy beaches as well. This island was one of three that were listed from Stoecklein's holdings. The first two (smaller) islands sold during the COVID-19 lockdown, and the Wheeler Island property was on the market for 290 days before selling.
Victorian style with ample outdoor living areas
Built in 2001, the home is a modern Victorian style with a stone foundation, traditional shingle siding, and wraparound porches on both the second and third floors. The third floor features a balcony, and there are also ample patios and outdoor seating areas as well. According to Sotheby's, it's a 2,462-square-foot home with eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, and one half bathroom, as well as an open, flexible floorplan. While it was intended to be a vacation home, it could also be inhabited throughout the year, with electricity available year-round. There is also city water, a septic system, and high-speed internet.
Much of the outdoor space is dedicated to a sprawling green lawn, along with manicured hedges, stone patios, and plenty of shade trees. One side of the island is rocky, but the other side features a clean, sandy beach, perfect for relaxing and swimming.
The property was sold fully furnished
The Wheeler Island home was sold fully furnished, according to Sotheby's, and the existing décor is definitely a nod to the home's carefree, relaxing purpose, with bright, vibrant fabrics and furniture. The open layout provides a lot of flexibility for entertaining, and the open railings along the staircases and landings give the entire home a bright, airy feeling.
The living room features a large brick fireplace, all open to a large country kitchen and dining area. The kitchen features granite countertops and a brick accent wall that gives this modern construction a more traditional feel. Gleaming hardwood floors span the entire house, and the six-over-six divided light windows on the main floor also add to that classic Victorian look despite its more modern, open floorplan. Both the ample number of windows and the open floor plan allow for stunning views of the ocean from every single room of the main floor of the home.
There are truly stunning views from every room
When a home is on an island, it only makes sense to take advantage of the stunning views, and this home has plenty of those. Even the hallways and landings are adorned with windows, letting in plenty of light and taking advantage of seaside beauty. Many of the bedrooms also have doors leading out to the wraparound porches, providing yet more gorgeous views.
While the home already has three floors, Sotheby's notes that the third floor could easily be reconfigured to be a master suite, and it already has the balconies and treetop views that would make it a perfect retreat. Each of the bedrooms is decorated in a slightly different style, with some clearly meant to be children's' rooms while others are more subdued and refined. A few of the bedrooms are tucked under the home's generous eaves, giving them a distinctive shape and feel. Overall, this was clearly a home built for comfort and relaxation.