Orchard’s End, built in 1929 during the great estates era, this brick and limestone country retreat is a wonderful example of architecture in the grand manner. Designed by New York architect William B. Tubby, his outstanding designs include Waveny House in New Canaan, Dunnellen Hall in Greenwich and the William H. Childs House in Brooklyn.

Yet for all of the estate’s timeless beauty and gracious bearing, the current owners of  Orchard’s End felt that it lacked sufficient living space for the family to gather comfortably together. Their request for an addition posed the unique design challenge of expanding the square footage of the house without making it seem larger than its already sizable dimensions. Beginning in 2014, the current owners retained world renowned architect Dinyar Wadia to embark on a 3-year 6 million dollar renovation  perfecting the already expansive 10,000 square foot addition completed by the previous owners. Not only was the main residence improved and expanded upon a brand new 2,000 square foot 4-bedroom guest house, along with a custom designed 5,000 square foot wellness center, a custom pool with spa and new terraces transformed Orchard's End Estate into a true masterpiece. In a recent interview with Dinyar, he stated he believes in today's market this estate would cost in excess of 25 million dollars to replicate the main house alone, excluding land costs, the new 5,000 square foot wellness center, and fully renovated guest house.

The main residence’s addition includes a new kitchen, great room, outdoor courtyard, and study. Providing the inspiration for the great room was Castle Duart, located on the Isle of Mull and featured in the 1999 movie Entrapment in which Sean Connery and Catherina Zeta-Jones, playing art thieves, practice their moves for a high-tech heist. Smitten by the stylish setting, the clients asked Dinyar to recreate a similar sort of room for their new addition, a request he relished. Featuring a double-height ceiling, massive stone fireplace with intricate carvings and custom bronze handrails leading up to a second-story mezzanine, the great room has become a treasured place for all family to gather. Linking this room to the main residence is a glass-paned corridor featuring iron frames and true divided lights. Stunning views of the garden terrace are on display on one side while the new kitchen is visible through the courtyard, which flanks the other side of the corridor. Together with the roof lights in the kitchen and double-height bay windows in the great room, the new space is drenched in sunlight, inviting the family to linger in its welcoming glow.