The Astor Courts Estate is in Rhinebeck, New York, overlooking the Hudson River. Designed by Stanford White in 1902 for John Jacob Astor IV, the massive home has been used as a family vacation home, a nursing home and convent, and back to a private home over the years. The New York Times shows us how the current owners, Kathleen Hammer and Arthur Seelbinder worked with the original architect's great-grandson to repair and renovate the historic home — including restoring the indoor pool and tennis court...
Working with architect Sam White, the couple worked as their own contractor and spent three years on renovations. Check out the full story (with history of the house) in The New York Times: A Fixer-Upper to End Them All and the massive slideshow which includes some additional historical photos.
Images: Bruce Buck for The New York Times
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Comments (8)
Funny that building looks a lot like it was inspired from the Grand Trianon at Versailles, but with a lighter touch :
http://www.routard.com/images_contenu/communaute/photos/publi/025/pt24256.jpg
http://www.aboutromania.com/ParisVersaillesLeGrandTrianon.jpg
Historical references aside, I love that first symetrical photograph!
That shower stall is hospital-riffic!
But I do love the beautiful Hudson valley.
yeah, I think I could *suffer* that shower to live in that house.
I think the shower is cool! (and it's based on the home's original architectural drawings)
Hmmm...
...I think I could manage to be comfortable there.
I don't know what I would do with all of that space, but it is beautiful!
Who invited these people to take pictures of my house? ;)
oooh, it's so beautiful! and i could just lick up that checkerboard terrace! i love it!