In the late 1800s, the Berkshires in Massachusetts was a prime spot for the Gilded Age wealthy to show off their money by building giant mansions, or “summer cottages” as society’s upper crust called them. Most have been lost to fire or demolished as impractical for a family to manage and finance. One of the biggest and best — Vanderbilt Berkshires Estate, formerly Elm Court — has just sold for $8 million to real estate investor and developer Linda Law. The home is being restored and may be transformed into a luxury resort development. Resort possibilities include 112 guest rooms, a 15,000-square-foot spa and a 60-seat restaurant.
Built in 1886 for Emily Vanderbilt, granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt, Elm Court was designed by the architectural firm Peabody & Stearns with the grounds including 40 acres of gardens done by Frederick Law Olmstead, well known for his work on New York’s Central Park. It is about the same size as the White House with 55,000 square feet and 106 rooms, the largest shingled-style home in the United States. A less ornate style than the Vanderbilt family’s more-famous Biltmore House in North Carolina, the 89-acre estate is so big that it spans two towns: Stockbridge and Lenox, Massachusetts.
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.