Built by Alfred Vail, the renowned American industrialist credited with inventing the telegraph and Morse code, Highgrove Court intertwines with the prestigious lineage of the Vail family, including Theodore Vail, the mining magnate and first president of AT&T. Crafted over a six-year period for Mr. Vail’s wife, Amanda, Highgrove Court was completed in 1876.
Designed by the esteemed architect James Winthrop, this Queen Anne Victorian residence epitomizes the opulence of Morristown’s illustrious Gilded Age. House and Garden magazine even recognized its noble lines and notable details, featuring it in a 1918 issue.
Through the front entry gate, the outside boasts an array of captivating features, including a patterned Buckingham slate roof, imbricated shingled gables, overhanging bargeboards, clipped peak hand-crafted end brackets, and decorative corbels. Inside, from quarter-sawn oak floors to wide cornices, magnificent moldings to custom millwork, this residence exudes unparalleled craftsmanship. Throughout the house, you’ll find seven fireplaces, mitered mahogany inlaid wood floors, and elegant wide archways. The meticulously planned interior seamlessly blends intricate details in grand living spaces.
Enter through the formal receiving gallery adorned with French doors and stained-glass windows. The 14-foot ceilings add a sense of majesty, while the baronial-sized family room provides a cozy retreat. A splendid glass conservatory, bathed in natural light, is accessed through three sets of internal French doors, six sets of French doors leading outside, and a distinctive spiral staircase leading to the second-story studio.
Prepare culinary delights in the stunning gourmet designer kitchen, which boasts a gas fireplace, Pegasus faucets, custom-milled cabinetry, and Brazilian granite countertops. The kitchen is equipped with professional-grade appliances, including a Dacor Epicure six-burner range with double ovens. The adjacent butler’s pantry, with original glass-fronted cabinetry, a bar sink, and a wine and beverage center, adds to the convenience and elegance of the space. Throughout the home, recessed lighting creates a warm ambiance, and the entire first floor features hardwired speakers.
The owner’s suite spans a spacious bedroom, an expansive dressing room with four closets, and an upscale bath fitted with custom vanities, a walk-in carrara marble shower, a freestanding soaking tub, Waterworks fixtures, and radiant heat floors. Additionally, the second-floor art studio, featuring twin balconies, can equally serve as a sitting room, yoga studio, gym, or nursery. The third-floor library, complete with built-in bookcases, offers a serene retreat or a creative haven. With a total of eight bedrooms, including two adjoining guest suites with a full bath, there is ample space to accommodate family and guests.
The outdoor setting is truly worthy of an artist’s canvas and brush. Meticulously manicured half-acre gardens offer visual guidance and structure to the fenced grounds. This outdoor oasis features extensive specimen plantings from around the world, and a picturesque koi pond with a waterfall. Indulge in private outdoor entertaining with the fully equipped kitchen, complete with a grill, refrigerator, granite countertops, barbeque pit, and bluestone patio. A heated gunite pool with a spa provides the perfect space for relaxation and enjoyment. An adjacent grape arbor with brick flooring provides covered shade and concord black grapes in late Summer.
Rounding out the property, the recently constructed oversized three-car carriage house is perfect for the hobbyist, gardener, or car enthusiast, while enveloped with low maintenance cement board siding, Azek trim boards and corbels, and Clopay Coachman garage doors.