History For Sale at the Hurstmont Estate

On the outskirts of Morristown, just over the border on route 202 in Harding Township sat a ruin of a once grand estate that is now on the verge of being sold off after rehabilitation. Like nearby Greystone, the Hurstmont Estate, 17,000 square foot summer home built for soap-king James T. Pile was an iconic historic landmark in danger of falling victim to the ravages of time.

According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Hurstmont, built in 1903, is one of the area's last standing residences built by Stanford White of the famed New York architecture firm McKim, Mead and White.

After standing empty for more than 20 years, Hurstmont and its 20 acres are again on the market, but local groups say years of neglect have taken a toll on the stucco and fieldstone mansion. Roof and skylight leaks caused significant water damage, and the estate was vulnerable to vandalism. In May 2010, Preservation New Jersey listed Hurstmont as one of the state's 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites.

"Although it's cosmetically not in very good shape, structurally, its bones are good and sound," Ron Emrich, executive director of Preservation New Jersey said.

Three different owners occupied the house from 1925 to 1981. The property, elevated and setback from Route 202 near Jockey Hollow, was purchased in 2011 by local luxury residential Architect/Builder Peter Dorne. Over the last two years Dorne and has sub-divided into four 5-acres parcels with plans set for each lot.

• The "Tennis Cottage" parcel designed by Dorne, is located adjacent to the former clay tennis court at Hurstmont. This parcel is complete with building approval and preliminary design plans for a 5,450 square foot home.
  

• The "Carriage House" parcel is the original Hurstmont carriage house. An existing structure that will be completely renovated and re-built. The home and design is approved for a 6,100 square foot home.

• The "Garden Cottage" parcel will be framed by the extensive formal gardens of the Hurstmont Estate. This home is approved for approx. 5,700 sqft. of living space.

• The Hurstmont Mansion parcel. Despite many years of neglect Hurstmont remains a significant early 20th century estate, irreplaceable in both grandeur and detail with its historic fabric intact. Approved plans are for the home to be reduced in size to approx. 9,000 square feet and completely renovated after purchase. The mansion features over 30 rooms and 16 fireplaces. Designed in a classical Revival Style the house contains a grand central stair, several staff and service stairs, and an internal elevator. The windows are mostly all original with numerous leaded pattern and stained glass. Decorative plaster ceilings, elaborate stone or wood mantelpieces, extensive wood wainscoting and running trim, patterned wood or brick floors and ornamental ironwork comprise the spaces within Hurstmont.
  

While the complete estate may have been too massive an undertaking, RE/MAX agent, and Morristown resident Michael Elms, said the four subdivided lots may save the property from being lost to demolition by age.

Carved above the grand fire place is the inscription "Though rains descend and loud winds call, this happy house shall never fall." 

And thanks to the work of the property’s architect and builder, that may hold true.

For more information on the Hurstmont properties call Michael Elms at 973.960.1950 or email: me@michaelelms.com