Adela Muresan 
Much has been said of the soaring value of urban pads in the sky in America’s biggest cities, penthouses carved of steel and glass asking for their weight in gold. Closer to the ground, however, traditional homes, at least the super-sized versions of them, still command the attention of wealthy buyers in ever increasing numbers.
Appealing to those who’d happily trade in the city setting for more room and land, the not-so-hidden mansions of New Jersey are both stunning and pricey. In fact, compared to its neighbor over the Hudson River, the luxury end of New Jersey’s real estate market is a different beast altogether, and one that looks cut out of a Lifestyle Network show.
No secret here, zip codes in the coveted communities of Alpine, Stone Harbor, Englewood and others have been turning heads for years. One reason – the sheer audacity of acre upon acre of green land to wander, far beyond the dreams of most city-dwellers. And the other – some sizable amounts of cash exchanging hands every time one of these beauties gets a new owner. Whether this is merely a passing interest or you’re really looking for a new pad, below we counted down the priciest homes on the New Jersey market right now.
Ranging in asking price from $15 million to a jaw-dropping $45 million, all these properties share an enviable acreage close to the New York state border, lots of living space and some very over-the-top design. As for the no 1 spot, it sports one extra ingredient to put it ahead – a former owner of Wall Street fame.
1015 Sailors Way, Middletown
Asking price: $13,699,999
Overseeing the Navesink River and covering 3.5 acres, this property hasn’t been on the market since its construction in 2002. The house spreads over 20,000 square feet, with flamboyant interiors and all the amenities of a luxury estate, and opens out to the wide waterfront complete with a vessel-ready dock.
9450 Claremont Road, Bernardsville
Asking price: $15,000,000
Fashion designer and NJ-native Marc Ecko is selling his 30,000 square-foot mansion, together with 32 acres of land surrounding it. Having spent a fortune to update and re-design the place, Ecko made this Spanish-style villa even more luxurious inside than out.
812 The Esplanade, Alpine
Asking price: $15,088,000
A French baroque-style property in the coveted Alpine zip code, 12 The Esplanade sits on a 2-acre lot that has been manicured to perfection and serves as a vast backdrop for a host of outdoor entertainment facilities. Inside, hand-painted murals and an abundance of fine furniture and art are sprawled over 18 rooms, including a vaulted-ceiling theatre room.
818 Closter Dock Road, Alpine
Asking price: $15,088,000
A traditional-looking home with Spanish influences, terracotta floors and exceptional woodwork throughout, this mansion is also located in Alpine, on the main road leading to Palisades Interstate Park. 9 bedrooms and 9 baths, together with all the amenities one can imagine in a property in this zip code, add up to a price tag of just over $15 million.
760 Rio Vista Drive, Alpine
Asking price: $16,800,000
This new construction built by Joseph DiStaulo and designed by Bob Zampolin covers close to 24,000 square feet and includes features like a ballroom, a grand gallery, two dining rooms, a theater, a wine cellar and no less than 10 bedrooms.
691 N Woodland Street, Englewood
Asking price: $17,000,000
Another Spanish-inspired villa, this property in Englewood has some of the most opulent interior design outside Beverly Hills, and was featured on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”. The landscaped exterior is no less spectacular, and includes an infinity pool with waterfall and a lake complete with waterfowl, should the owner appreciate bird-watching.
523 Stone Tower Drive, Alpine
Asking price: $17,900,000
Located a stone’s throw away from famous Rio Vista Drive, this 23,000 square-foot new construction boasts, among other things, a five-room master suite and an elevator servicing the 4 levels that include a finished basement. The colonial manor can house a large family and plenty of guests in its 8 bedrooms, as well as a proper art collection to fill up the 6 gallery halls.
427 Timberline Drive, Alpine
Asking price: $21,000,000
Dubbed The Limestone Estate, this property is currently only a project with the possibility of customization to fit the buyer’s taste. When finished, it will include a smart home automation system, a gym, a spa, a pool and a tennis court, all fitted on a 4-acre lot that’s just 9 miles away from NYC, according to brokers over at Sotheby’s.
3190 Ravine Lake Road, Far Hills
Asking price: $24,000,000
A little further off from the big city is the community of Far Hills, ranked #9 on our list of the most expensive zip codes in NJ. This Georgian-style ivy-covered manor was built back in 1923 and goes by the name Cragwood. A taste of good old England permeates both the cozy-yet-grand interiors and the luscious gardens on this estate, rounded off by a spacious terrace over-looking the surrounding woodland and lakes.
2River Oak Farm, Mahwah
Asking price: $35,000,000
This lesser-known community has a few mansion-style properties to marvel at, but this 45-acre estate is something quite apart. An equestrian’s dream, the property’s stall barn can house up to 20 horses and offers a multitude of paddocks and trails for riders to enjoy. The house itself is no less impressive – it includes a spa in the master suite, 9 other bedrooms and 14 baths, an English Pub and many other amenities in a beautiful wooded-panel setting reminiscent of the great traditional farm houses of the South.
184 Glen Alpin Road, Harding
Asking price: $45,000,000
Sitting on 15 acres of land, the former pad of Joe and Kathy Grano is a beautiful European-styled property with “just” 6 bedrooms and 13 baths to go around. Citing an abundance of imported materials and fixtures, and the finest attention to detail and quality, brokers at Douglas Elliman sing the praises of this mansion as the epitome of luxury and good taste.
