Introducing Lume Di Luna!
Mill Neck, Nassau County, New York
As you turn onto this winding road, you may feel transported to Kentucky for all you see at first are white split rail fences that carve out emerald paddocks and line driveways to grand residences. As you pass, a horse may lift its head from grazing as if to say, “Welcome.” You are in a unique Gold Coast enclave where equestrian minded folks are next-door neighbors, each on a multiacre estate, along with others who enjoy secluded estates off the wooded cul-de-sac. At the end of a long, gated drive stands a magnificent, almost fairytale-like 15,000-square-foot country manor. It’s massive turret and steeply pitched roof remind you of a French chateau. Standing amidst five breathtaking acres of rolling manicured lawns boasting a circular front courtyard with fountain, an attached oversized four-car garage, a cook’s garden, and a spectacular rear entertainment complex with inground, heated, saltwater pool, expansive bluestone patios, gorgeous plantings, mood lighting, separate spa with fountain, an outdoor kitchen, bar, a waterfall cascading down a rocky hillside into a koi pond; and a grand stone, bridal, double staircase ascending to the house.
Farther up the property, with its own long driveway, parking area, and paddocks, stands a ten-stable barn, with tack room and farm manager apartment. The property has been home to 100 winners at elite racetracks around the state. If you are into riding as a pastime, there are parks with trails available just minutes away. The Belmont Racetrack is only 25 miles away, the Hamptons are 45 miles, and the city is 33 miles. Just five minutes away is the charming downtown of historic (home of Teddy Roosevelt) Oyster Bay Village with its train station, waterfront center, beach, park with tennis courts, marina, plus delightful boutique shopping and dining. Golf courses are nearby too as is Planting Fields Arboretum Park with Mansion tours and many events. About two miles away, is Locust Valley, another shopping and dining Mecca. It and surrounding communities are often referred to as “the new Hamptons” with its many parks, beaches, golf courses, night life, mansion hotel, yacht clubs, and grand Gold Coast historic estates.
Whether you love horses or not, you will fall in love with the heart of this estate – the six-bedroom, seven-full and two-half-bath, stucco-and-stone mansion with three pristine and elegant finished floors, wraparound balconies and veranda, spacious rooms, high ceilings (some two-story), and an open flowing floor plan ideal for entertaining on a grand scale. Imagine your horse winning the Belmont Stakes and everyone is invited to celebrate at the event of the season… in your home. This is that kind of house – made to hold and serve a very large crowd of guests. Yet, from the minute you enter, you will feel at home. It radiates a comfortable, perhaps even romantic ambiance, a place to relax and enjoy being you. To sit in front of one of six inviting fireplaces and toss your stress into a crackling fire. Traditional in style with exquisite fielded panels, high archways, and gleaming hardwood and stone floors (as seen), the home has an extraordinary open floor plan designed to delight the eye at every turn. A serpentine second-floor balcony wends its way above several first-floor rooms with soaring two-story walls of windows offering views of the pool and distant paddocks. Front and back turrets provide circular rooms that flow with the serpentine theme, as does the wide and elegant staircase that curves and flares. The entrance foyer, with inlaid marble floors and coffered ceiling, will surprise you with a handsome fireplace in an alcove leading to the study and powder room. Besides the usual public rooms, the first floor includes a legal apartment, guest bedroom and bath, a laundry room, an elevator, and access to the garage and to a balcony wrapping around much of the house.
The beautiful French country kitchen is a chef’s dream featuring custom cabinetry resembling fine furniture, with integrated high-end appliances including three dishwashers and a large refrigerator. The stainless-steel six-burner-plus-griddle cooktop, the double-oven, and brick pizza oven are exceptions. A huge center island is great for baking, snacking, or as a central hub for catering. Wide open to the breakfast room and family room, it has easy access to the balcony plus access to the formal dining room through a butler’s pantry with wet bar and wine cooler, the foyer, and all levels of the home.
The finished basement feels like a posh country club with access to the pool area, veranda, and outside kitchen and bar from the main lounge. It includes: a cozy sitting area; a nightclub-style wet bar with seating, beer tap, bar refrigerator; access to a circular brick wine cellar; and a spacious all-purpose area with built-in desk and bookcase, plus a generous media and game room. Storage space abounds throughout. A gym leads through a cabana bath with steam shower, water closet, and sink, into the hot tub room – the perfect spot to relax in the bubbling spa and watch a soothing fire in the stone fireplace. It accesses the veranda and pool area plus the main lounge.
A Movie Star Estate
Thanks to this estate’s unique country horse farm appearance and its grand country home, it has served as a setting in three major productions. In 2013 a scene from the “Wolf of Wallstreet,” directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio with Rob Reiner (in the scene) was shot at the paddock. Two scenes from popular video series were also shot here. They included and hosted Lucy Lui in “Elementary,” and “The Loudest Voice,” starring Russell Crow, who lived in the manor for four months during shooting (according to the owner).
Regina Rogers
, Douglas Elliman
