Timeless French-Style Manor on 52 Acres of Connecticut Countryside
Originally built in 1937 and nestled on 52 rolling acres in New Canaan, Connecticut, this estate was once owned by the reclusive copper heiress Huguette Clark, a woman whose love for opulence matched her taste for solitude.
Clark purchased the estate in 1951 as a potential refuge during the Cold War but curiously never lived there.
As chronicled in the book Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune, she maintained the home with meticulous care, though she spent her final years in a Manhattan hospital room, passing away at 104 in 2011.
The property, left vacant for over six decades, has since been revitalized by fashion designer Reed Krakoff and his wife, Delphine, an acclaimed interior designer, who invested more than $10 million to restore it with respect and elegance.
Their goal was to honor the estate's historical charm while gently infusing it with modern amenities. Delphine recalls how the estate, thanks to a long-standing caretaker, was in remarkable condition upon purchase—"the floors were polished to within an inch of their life," she shared.
Their approach to restoration was sensitive and deliberate, with a focus on preserving the estate’s integrity while enhancing it for contemporary living.
The Krakoffs approached the renovation with restraint, thoughtfully updating appliances, reworking the floor plan in subtle ways, and opting for a refined palette of neutral tones to brighten the space and showcase the estate’s classic features.
At over 14,000 square feet, the main residence offers nine spacious bedrooms and a series of beautifully appointed formal and informal spaces. The grand staircase, now featuring a restored curved railing, ascends to a third-floor lounge that has become a cozy retreat.
Meanwhile, a newly created theater room on the lower level, furnished with vintage movie seats Delphine sourced from eBay, adds a charming, cinematic touch to the home.
Beyond the main residence, the property includes two charming gatehouses: one serves as a two-bedroom caretaker’s cottage, while the other has been transformed into a private gym.
Outside, the couple’s landscaping enhancements bring a sense of tranquility to the grounds, with wildflower gardens, specimen trees, and a 1.25-mile jogging trail that winds through the woodlands. Delphine often jogs this trail, noting the gentle connection with nature it offers.
Complementing the lush greenery, a 60-foot pool bordered by antique granite and a sleek tennis court blend seamlessly with the landscape, creating a serene outdoor retreat that is as inviting as it is elegant.
Le Beau Chateau stands as a rare offering within Fairfield County—a colossal estate that has been lovingly updated to respect its past while adapting to modern standards of luxury and comfort.
All photos belong to the listing agency.
