The 7,728-square-foot home was inspired by the owners’ passion for contemporary architecture and extensive travels throughout East AsiaA family retreat since 2003, an entire floor is dedicated to wellness while the top turret serves as a library aerie; the property borders thousands of acres of protected national forest

New York, New York (April 1, 2021) — With its palette of exterior materials — sandstone, redwood, glass and steel — Mendonhall Estate coexists in perfect harmony with its rarified wooded setting. The home celebrates fine contemporary architecture, the owners’ extensive travels throughout East Asia and their enduring passion for Vermont’s natural beauty and ways in which their home, built in 2003, would integrate perfectly with its environs.

Commanding a promontory at the center of its 200-acre setting, wraparound mountain views are on full display from every room in the house. The rooflines are reminiscent of pagodas, clean lines define the design and elegant symmetry further imbue Mendonhall Estate, evoking the influences of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Japanese era.

Walls of windows drench the home in light and celebrate mountain views from every room in the home. Balconies and expansive outdoor space not only welcome the outdoors in but further expand the already generous living spaces for grand-scale entertaining. The privacy provided by acres of pristine old-growth forests is unrivaled, making Mendonhall Estate an ideal family sanctuary.

Mendonhall Estate, with four bedrooms and six-and-one-half baths, is represented by Story Jenks, Dia Jenks and Ruth Kennedy Sudduth of LandVest, with global marketing provided by Christie’s International Real Estate.

Said Kathleen Coumou, executive director of Christie’s International Real Estate, “Architecture, as an artform, is ever evolving. Frank Lloyd Wright introduced the word “organic” into his philosophy of architecture as early as 1908. I am so impressed by the way in which the owners, the visionaries for this property, have integrated past styles to create a contemporary masterpiece in concert with nature and ideal for today’s living.”

An elegant gate introduces Mendonhall Estate, opening to the long and forested drive meandering uphill, appointed with lampposts, each with a garden or sculpture feature. The drive then passes a lovely spring-fed pond with a picnic island, accessed by a charming arched bridge and with tranquil Japanese gardens that include fragrant roses, oriental lilies and peonies.

The home’s entry is also landscaped with an Asian-inspired aesthetic.

Italian glass doors introduce the interiors and flow into the living room, warmed by a massive fireplace, and also the dining room for seamless entertaining. Light and airy, both open to a massive balcony framing views of Pico Mountain in the Green Mountains. Also on this level are the gourmet kitchen featuring custom Brazilian cherry cabinetry, a sunroom with a wood-burning stove, and a large library with full bath.

The interiors are notable for materials of the highest quality, many sourced from around the globe, including the kitchen’s Absolute Black granite countertops from China and Jerusalem tile from Israel in the spa. Mahogany coffered ceilings with soffit lighting, ash floors with decorative inlay borders, Rojo Alicante marble, and three wood-burning stone fireplaces — one of which is double-sided from the living room to the kitchen — are other appointments. Two Vermont Casting gas stoves warm the guest room and porch off the kitchen. A stunning curved and floating mahogany staircase serves all four floors, illuminated at its center by a custom multi-tiered Murano chandelier.

The third level is reserved for the private quarters, including the primary suite with its stone fireplace, outdoor deck, bath with steam shower and soaking tub with honey onyx surround and generous walk-in closet. Just above on the top floor is the owner’s study, a stylized turret, featuring 360-degree views of mountain scenery. Completing the home is the first-floor wellness spa, with sauna, home gym, a relaxing meditation room, a resort-like full bath and steam shower, plus walk-out to the exterior hot tub. The attached four-car garage is heated.

Mendonhall Estate was thoughtfully assembled through the years, beginning with an original family plot. An abiding love for Vermont infuses the property. The estate is threaded with a multitude of trails connecting to the Green Mountain National Forest, the Catamount Trail, and the Appalachian Trail. In summer, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding abound. Come winter, snowshoe, snowmobile or cross-country skiing too. Big mountain downhill skiing is minutes away.

Says Mr. Jenks: "Dia, Ruth and I love every chance we get to spend time at Mendonhall. It has an incredible vibe, really serene, almost spa-like. The wood and glass design is a big part of that, as is the setting, high in the Green Mountains with trails through deep forests right out the door.”

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About Christie’s International Real Estate

Christie’s International Real Estate has successfully marketed high-value real estate around the world for more than 30 years. Through its New York City brokerage and invitation-only Affiliate network spanning 48 countries and territories, Christie’s International Real Estate offers incomparable services to a global clientele at the luxury end of the residential property market. The company has offices in London, New York City, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Palm Beach, and its affiliated brokerages have recorded approximately US$500 billion of real estate transactions over the last five years. (Data as of December 31, 2020.) For additional information, please visit christiesrealestate.com.