Guide Me Home to North Jersey

The quiet and quaint rural town of Peapack/Gladstone has always been known for its estate and horse farms of the wealthy, where they still engage in fox hunting. However, most of the residents live less ostentatiously in charming antique homes and beautiful Colonials. Many residents are young and well established, and commute to New York City from its two train stations.

Several homes are on the market presently. However, I would like to focus on one Colonial in particular which was built in 1985 and is located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods of the town. Its architecture is unique from most of the other Colonials because the owner wanted a home reminiscent of a Southern Colonial. Properly named by its owner, “Southern Comfort,” the exterior boasts 2 front porches on both the first and second levels. The owner has spent many precious moments enjoying the views of the neighborhood and landscape. The home has 5 bedrooms, 2½ baths and a cozy family room with a floor-to-ceiling fieldstone fireplace. Every room has 7 ft. Anderson windows that delightfully capture nature’s views. The owner had the builder locate the home in the center of its level, picturesque 1.8± acres, affording privacy in the front and back of the home. This home has been priced to give the buyer an excellent investment at $727,600.

Come enjoy a fall drive through town to experience the colorful and majestic shade trees. Peapack/Gladstone is a choice area to live in with its excellent school system, peaceful surroundings and easy commute to New York City by train or major highways. Please give me a call with any questions concerning “Southern Comfort” or the beautiful town of Peapack/Gladstone.

Posted by:  Bella Wilgus

If you are interested in fine dining and a memorable experience, then Ninety Acres Culinary Center at Natirar in Peapack, New Jersey is the place to go! This 15-month old restaurant is situated on a 500 acre estate that was once owned by the King of Morocco. The estate carriage house was transformed into an exceptional restaurant by David Rockwell of the Rockwell Team. Its warm, inviting ambiance boasts rich, classic materials and design with wood floors and ceilings, butternut millwork, walnut furniture, green stressed leather seating and large windows that create a connection with the surrounding bucolic setting. The restaurant wizardry by Chef David C. Felton is unmatched. The recipes are delicious and exciting and leave your palette and well being with a blissful satisfying feeling. Complimentary carafes of bubbling and still water are at every table. The bread basket is filled with the most delectable assortment. Their creative, original cocktails incorporate ingredients indigenous to country living. Ninety Acres also has a Wine School and Cooking School and will be able to serve foods that are raised and grown on the property’s own farm. The service is simply impeccable and leaves nothing to be desired. At the end of your delightful dinner, if you should request a “doggie bag”, your server will provide you with a number tag to retrieve your food when you leave. Truly sophisticated dining you will not forget.

If you intend to move to or visit Somerset County, just know that the twin boroughs of Peapack/Gladstone has other exceptional restaurants as well, which I will discuss in future blogs.

Posted by:Bella Wilgus

Pursuant to my previous blog, I have been fortunate to serve the real estate needs of communities in Somerset, Morris and Hunterdon for the past 18 years. I would like to continue to answer questions about the Twin Boroughs of Peapack/Gladstone.

I met one of my clients who purchased a home in town several years ago, and she told me that her family could not be happier. Peapack/Gladstone had quickly become the town they had always dreamed of living in. Her children are doing well in the Somerset Hills School District and since they range in age, she is able to see their experiences at Bedwell Elementary School, Bernardsville Middle School and Bernards High School. The commute to Bernardsville is minimal and fun, especially for her son in high school who has opted to take the train.

A centerpiece of the town is Liberty Park, where her children ice skate in the winter and she and her husband enjoy leisurely nights listening to music at the weekly summer concerts. The Peapack/Gladstone Library,, located in the municipal complex, has adult and children’s programs, and is part of the Somerset Country Library System in Bridgewater.

Peapack/Gladstone’s 5.9 square miles is a mix of home values but is unified in town spirit and pride. The wealthy, socially prominent people of the late 1890’s and early twentieth century built their lavish estates here, such as the George R. Mosle estate which is now the home of the Sisters of St. John The Baptist; Blairsden, the estate of C. Ledyard Blair; Natirar, the estate built for Walter G. Ladd; and Hamilton Farm, built for James Cox Brady. There are a myriad of estate neighborhoods, old and new, that enrich the town of Peapack/Gladstone. Several lovely estates are available for sale at this time.

I look forward to answering more questions in my next blog. Please do not hesitate to contact me at bwilgus@turpinrealtors.com or on my cell at 908-930-8495.

Posted by:Bella Wilgus

If you live in Somerset County, then you know New Jersey has a reputation of being horse country as the home of the United States Equestrian Team in Gladstone and the Far Hills Race Meeting event held every October at Moorland Farms in Far Hills. There are numerous riding stables and equestrian shops dotting Somerset County.

However, what people from Morris County may not know is that they have their own accessibility to riding right in their own backyard and it is owned by the County.  Seaton Hackney Stables was refurbished in 2006 after years of being shut down.  The County poured money into revamping the stable and rings and subcontracted the management of it to Equishare USA , LLC. The stables are adjacent to Loantaka Brook Reservation. The stable offers a group lesson based on a riders ability level, commonly known as troop, which is run 3 times a year. There are also private and semi private lessons available and trail rides through Loantaka.  During the summer months, there are week long summer day camps which includes everything from learning how to groom and care for a horse, to riding and swim time.  There is also a program for children with special needs. For further information contact www.seatonhackney.com or call 973-644-3355.

Posted by: Nadine Gelinas-Coffey