Greenfield Hill colonial, newly built but vintage charm

There are many houses that marry old and new architectural elements to accommodate contemporary living needs in an antique space.

The colonial house at 3236 Congress St. in the Greenfield Hill section of Fairfield goes a step further. It has the appearance of a vintage house, but it was actually built in 2008 by J. Tallman Builders. It is imbued with the charm and character of a house that might have been built more than 100 years ago but since it is relatively new construction, it will be devoid of the maintenance headaches that owners of older homes can sometimes face.

The first hint of its newness is its 7,800 square feet of living space. Few 19th-century homes would contain that amount of space. Nor would an older estate have a party barn; a new 2,500-square-foot post-and-beam barn with multiple vehicle bays on the main level and a large, open upper floor for entertaining. Another very contemporary feature is the placement of televisions in the master bath and the lower level exercise room hidden behind mirrors, with the mirrors serving as the actual screens.

There is also an in-ground Gunite swimming pool and spa with an automatic cover. This pool area is resort-like in its appearance and level of privacy. It is hidden behind a large flower garden and a long arbor-enclosed bluestone path that is flanked by stone walls. The pool area includes a stone-and-wood pool house topped with a cupola and an outdoor fireplace.

On the opposite side of this 10.1-acre property, there is a legal guest house or caretaker's cottage, which has seven rooms, a fireplace and three baths within 1,900 square feet of living space. The cottage was built in 1914. The entire property is level and includes terraced bluestone patios, open lawn, flower gardens and specimen trees.

The main house offers a number of features that would probably not be found in an antique home including a large mudroom with a pet alcove -- a recessed area that would accommodate a large dog. The laundry/utility room has marble counters and a double sink.

There are coffered ceilings in the two-story foyer and living room. This is a true center hall colonial. It goes from front to back and its floor comprises several types of wood inlaid in a decorative diamond pattern.

In the gourmet kitchen, there is a good size center island topped in marble, as are the counters. There is a butler's pantry between the kitchen and the walk-in pantry.

The first floor also has a family room, office and sunroom. On the second floor, the master bedroom suite has a marble fireplace, deep tray ceiling and a door to a large balcony.

The master bath features white marble floors, a soaking tub, water closet, heated towel rack and a high-tech mirrored television.

A breezeway between the main house and the garage has French doors overlooking the front yard and the back. The garage is the first of three structures that have bays with enough room for a total of nine vehicles.

For more information or to set up an appointment to see the house, call Julie Vanderblue of the Vanderblue Team, an affiliate of The Higgins Group, at 203-257-6994 or 203-259-TEAM (8326) or email her at julie@vanderblueteam.com.

ABOUT THIS HOUSE

TYPE OF HOUSE: Colonial

ADDRESS: 3236 Congress St., Fairfield

PRICE: $6,895,000

NUMBER OF ROOMS: 13

AMENITIES: 10.10-acre property, in-ground swimming pool with spa and automatic cover, terraced bluestone patios, large mudroom with pet alcove, four interior fireplaces and one outdoor fireplace, wine cellar, exercise room with a mirrored wall, circular driveway, front and rear staircases, security system, wet bar, vaulted ceilings, insulated windows, sprinkler system, balcony, breezeway, sunroom, workshop, in-law apartment or au pair suite, staff quarters, privacy, great commuter location, professional landscaping, flower gardens, exposed beams, public beaches

OTHER INFORMATION: six bedrooms, six full and two half baths, attached two-car garage, full finished basement, attic, hot air zoned radiant gas heat and hot water, laundry/utility room, wood shingle roof, zoned central air conditioning, septic system, city water, hardwood floors throughout most of house, stone walls, ceiling fans, cedar closet, shed with sliding barn doors

SCHOOL: Burr Elementary, Fairfield Woods Middle, Fairfield Warde High

ASSESSMENT: $ 2,870,420

TAX RATE: 23.37

TAXES: $64,498