Much has been said of the soaring value of urban pads in the sky in America\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Appealing to those who\u2019d happily trade in the city setting for more room and land, the not-so-hidden mansions of New Jersey are\u00a0both stunning and pricey. In fact, compared to its neighbor over the Hudson River, the luxury end of\u00a0New Jersey\u2019s real estate market is a different beast altogether, and one that looks cut out of a Lifestyle Network show.<\/p>\n
No secret here, zip codes<\/a> in the coveted communities of Alpine, Stone Harbor, Englewood and others have been\u00a0turning heads for years. One reason \u2013 the sheer audacity of acre upon acre of green land to wander, far beyond the dreams of most city-dwellers. And the other \u2013 some\u00a0sizable amounts of cash exchanging hands every time one of these beauties gets a new owner. Whether this is merely a passing interest or you\u2019re really looking for a new pad, below we counted down the priciest homes\u00a0on the New Jersey market right now.<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 \u2013 a former owner of Wall Street fame.<\/p>\n Overseeing the Navesink River and covering 3.5 acres, this property hasn\u2019t been on the market since its construction in 2002. The house spreads over 20,000 square feet, with flamboyant\u00a0interiors and all the amenities of a luxury estate, and opens out to the wide waterfront complete with\u00a0a vessel-ready dock.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0furniture and art are sprawled over 18 rooms, including a vaulted-ceiling theatre room.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Another Spanish-inspired villa, this property in Englewood has some of the most opulent interior design outside Beverly Hills, and was featured on \u201cLifestyles of the Rich and Famous\u201d. 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.<\/p>\n Located a stone\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Dubbed The Limestone Estate, this property is currently only a project with the possibility of customization to fit the buyer\u2019s 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\u2019s just 9 miles away from NYC, according to brokers over at Sotheby\u2019s.<\/p>\n<\/span>10<\/span>Middletown<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Asking price: $13,699,999<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/span>9<\/span>Bernardsville<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Asking price: $15,000,000<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/span>8<\/span>Alpine<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Asking price: $15,088,000<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/span>Alpine<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Asking price: $15,088,000<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/span>7<\/span>Alpine<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Asking price: $16,800,000<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/span>6<\/span>Englewood<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Asking price: $17,000,000<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/span>5<\/span>Alpine<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Asking price: $17,900,000<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/span>4<\/span>27 Timberline Drive, Alpine<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Asking price: $21,000,000<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/span>3<\/span>Far Hills<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Asking price: $24,000,000<\/span><\/h4>\n