211 Winant Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540

Renovated with bold vision and a profound respect for the past, the historic Pyne Mansion is truly an exquisite home. This turn-of-the century, Jacobean-style manse has a sterling architectural provenance, with its original design by Raleigh Gildersleeve, the celebrated architect behind many of the buildings of Drumthwacket and Princeton University, and an award-winning renovation headed by architect David Abelow, a former protege of I. M. Pei. A striking metal and glass staircase dramatically centers a series of loft-like spaces that have been meticulously renovated and updated to perfection by an extraordinary slate of designers and artisans. The heart of the home is the great room/chef's kitchen, whose modern design features a vast stone-topped island and abundant cabinet space. Entertain without limits in a spacious and elegant dining room, hand-troweled with a Venetian plaster facade atop a backdrop of exposed brick and enclosing a hidden china cabinet. After dinner, spend the evening in the incredible lower level, sampling the offerings of the 4000-bottle wine cellar in the adjacent lounge, and perhaps watch a film in the state-of-the-art theater with a 15-foot Cinemascope projection screen. If quiet is what you seek, restful grounds are celebrated by a 2-story conservatory of Honduran mahogany, and a rear loggia topped with a custom iron canopy and antique corrugated glass that formerly graced the greenhouse of the Brooklyn Museum. A translucent floor lights the way to the bedrooms. A double height master bedroom with his and her dressing rooms, loft and exercise rooms is spectacular as is the 2nd floor lofted studio space. This impressive residence is within 1.5 miles of downtown Princeton.