Woodslea House

91-93 Edgerstoune Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 United States

Woodslea House, a Gilded Age Princeton manse nestled into the picturesque Hun neighborhood, is a prime example of famed society architect Marion Sims Wyeth's grand style. Educated in Princeton and Paris, Wyeth's most notable homes include Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach and Doris Duke's Shangri-La. Although there is work to be done to recapture the ambiance of its heyday, it's easy to imagine what a party at Woodslea must have been like - the clink of crystal mingling with live music in the ballroom, dapper guests sharing a laugh on the sweeping terrace, and perhaps a couple stealing away to the pond's little red pagoda. Many notable features remain intact, such as a 17th century Queen Anne doorway and carved mantelpieces imported from England. An incredible domed skylight illuminates the gracefully curving staircase and quarter-sawn herringbone floors. While new owners may wish to reconfigure or repurpose some rooms, the kitchen is unusually large for a home built in 1927 and adjoins a mud entry with full bath. A caretaker's apartment atop the garage is more recently updated and includes 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Just like a crown, the stone balustrade encircling Woodslea's roof perfectly embodies the noble English spirit that still graces this very special 3.38-acre property.