Living the good life at Devonshire in Bedford Corners

Story by Houlihan Lawrence
Photographs by Tim Lee

Few properties share the grandeur and provenance of Devonshire, a vast Gilded-Age estate that has been home to several of America’s most prominent families over its rich history.

Set on more than 101 acres of natural splendor, the home was built in 1901 for financier J. Borden Harriman and his wife, Florence, who later became the U.S. Ambassador to Norway.

Members of New York’s social aristocracy and part of the era’s “hunting set,” the Harrimans and their equally prominent industrialist neighbors came to this area of Westchester at the turn of the last century to build their grand country estates.

Many of these homes were set atop the area’s rolling hills and their owners, primarily notable New Yorkers seeking a country refuge, became known as “hilltoppers” among the locals. Later residents of Devonshire included Vanderbilt-family descendent William M. Burden, who resided here with his family into the 1930s. Like Florence Harriman, his predecessor at Devonshire, Burden held several government posts and later served as U.S. Ambassador to Belgium. Since the Burdens, Devonshire has been home to only three families.

At Devonshire, esteemed architects L. Henry Morgan, John Galen Howard and D. Everett Waid created the quintessential English-style country house complete with the stately proportions and resplendent detail that were typical of the great houses of the era.

Built of handsome brick and trimmed with limestone, the home continues to evoke the opulence of the Gilded Age with its timeless Georgian design, remarkable details and wealth of special flourishes. Antique fireplaces imported from Europe, handcrafted oak paneling, ornate moldings, carved woodwork, gleaming marble floors and a grand staircase capped by a domed skylight attributed to Tiffany & Co. are just a sampling of the irreplaceable artistry displayed throughout the home today.

Surrounded by a number of very large estates, Devonshire’s expansive park-like property provides supreme privacy in one of Westchester County’s most exclusive locales.

An idyllic blend of breathtaking vistas and intoxicating natural beauty, the gated grounds are surrounded by stone walls and offer superb recreational amenities and substantial outbuildings include extensive equestrian facilities, staff and guest quarters.

Resplendent in grandeur and unrivaled in scope and privacy, Devonshire provides an unforgettable backdrop for grand living and entertaining in one of the region’s most beautiful settings – just 45 minutes from Manhattan.

For more information, contact Anthony Cutugno at Houlihan Lawrence Luxury Country Properties at (914) 234-0308 or acutugno@houlihanlawrence.com