Originally built in 1911 as the Ridgefield School for Boys, this extraordinary estate began its life on a sweeping 115-acre campus, featuring over 100 rooms including classrooms, dormitories, and administrative offices. After the school closed, the property was purchased by Francis D. Martin, who significantly altered the original structure by removing its top three stories. Yet, echoes of its storied past remain in the lower level, where you'll still find a fully functioning walk-in refrigerator and compressor, an operational coal burner, a vintage dumbwaiter once used to transport meals, and the infamous “Dungeon Room.”
Today, part of the original main floor has been thoughtfully preserved and reimagined into a beautifully renovated ranch-style residence offering 4,808 square feet of living space. Set on 4.98 scenic acres in Ridgefield, Connecticut, the home boasts seven bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and two half-baths.
The lower level is rich with character and utility, featuring ample storage, multiple closets and storage rooms, an audio room, a tack room with built-in shelving, and two separate garages—including a tandem two-car garage with a workshop outfitted with original kitchen cabinetry. A 1,000-gallon oil tank is encased in concrete block, and there's an additional half bath to serve the level.
Modern comforts blend seamlessly with historical charm: a 2019 kitchen renovation, soaring 10-foot ceilings, Hunter Douglas blinds, a surround sound system, and a total of eight garages, accommodating up to 15 vehicles. Exterior highlights include stone and stucco siding, stone walls, a block-and-stone foundation, and an oversized deck with sweeping views. Mechanical updates feature three furnaces, a steam boiler, forced hot air heating, a new MegaSteam furnace, a hot water heater for steam heat, a whole-house generator, and a new Trane air conditioning system.
Completing this one-of-a-kind estate is an attached two bedroom, one bathroom apartment with kitchen, washer/dryer and it's own entrance, an updated barn and a charming stone cottage with a four-bay garage, all contributing to a residence that masterfully balances historic legacy with refined modern living.
Feel free to contact us for more details!