House: Greenlawns on the Rock

The “Greenlawns” may now be known as a popular fishing hotspot along the west side of Shelter Island — but in the 1800s, they were the epitome of status.

Named after a pair of side-by-side mansions with identically sized lawns, one parcel that was formerly home to one of the original anchor estates — located at 4 Nostrand Parkway — has sold for $1.65 million in a preservation transaction to the Town of Shelter Island.

And as for the neighboring property, 5 Nostrand Parkway, it is now listed for $9.25 million with Penelope Moore, licensed associate real estate broker with Saunders & Associates Real Estate who was also the listing agent for the recent sale.

“After 117 years of being a part of Shelter Island, the O’Connor family felt that preserving the 7.68 acres one block from the bay at 4 Nostrand Parkway would be a lasting gift to the island by recharging the delicate aquifer that supports many households in the area,” Moore said. “Their estate at 5 Nostand Parkway is nearly a museum piece that offers a step back in time, and an idyllic opportunity for old home aficionados.”

Named “Cherry Tree Farm,” the circa-1890 Victorian has retained many of its original characteristics across its 5,431 square feet, including beadboard walls, iron fireplace fenders, woodwork and vintage Beatrix Potter wallpaper in the nursery.

“So many vintage homes throughout the Hamptons have already been renovated and, in the process, the configuration of the rooms is changed and details stripped or replaced altogether,” Moore said. “The proportion of the rooms throughout the house speaks to the fact that in 1890, this was a special property. There are two sections of the home: the main area, which was built for the owners and guests, and separate living quarters, which were built for staff after the turn of the last century.”

Nearly every room in the six-bedroom home features views of the water, from the entry foyer to the living room — its double doors peek out onto the lawn and the sandy beach — to the attic, which has double-height ceilings.

The two-story staff quarters has a living room with a separate entrance, an eating area, and bonus rooms, “reminiscent, in a way, of ‘Downton Abbey,’ including unpainted wooden walls and hand-blown window glass,” Moore said.

“In a corridor, original steamer trunks with the family name stenciled in still sit,” she continued. “Back in the day, steamboats would drop off passengers around the corner on Bootleggers’ Alley, named after Prohibition-era rum runners, and stewards would come by horse and buggy and pick up the steamer trunks to deliver to summer homes and hotels.”

Two generations of family, including a pair of Shelter Island Yacht Club commodores, have enjoyed the home’s L-Shaped, deepwater dock, which has a protective sea wall and an original cabana, with a grandfathered position next to the staircase on the beach.

“The exceptionally wide dock easily supports a sailboat, and just a short distance off the dock is some excellent fishing,” Moore said. “In those days, people walked to the beach in full clothing, then changed into swimsuits in the cabana. They would never have been seen in bathing suits on the lawn!”

For more information on this property, call 631-749-5801 or email pmoore@saunders.com.