Brooke Astor's COBBLE HOUSE—Where Land, Light, and Legacy Converge

The Valley That Time Forgot

The drive through Tyringham Valley never fails to quiet the soul. Past stone walls that have marked these fields for centuries, through meadows where The Shakers once pastured their sheep, toward the ancient drama of the Cobble—206 acres of exposed bedrock thrust skyward by tectonic forces that shifted the very bones of the earth millions of years ago. Here you find what Tyringham Valley has always offered—that profound quiet that restores and renews.

This is one of those increasingly rare places where land, light, and legacy converge. Not flashy, but quietly majestic.

The kind of luxury that can't be bought or built: privacy, history, beauty, and permanence. Where the valley opens to frame the Cobble's geological theater, a long drive curves through trees toward something extraordinary. Here stands Cobble House5,885 square feet of American Country House perfection designed in 1909 by Harrie T. Lindeberg, known as "the American Lutyens" for his genius in creating estates that honored both landscape and legacy.

The Restoration Renaissance

Through the original entrance, where craftsmen have honored every detail of Lindeberg's intent, you discover what happens when vision meets unlimited devotion. This wasn't renovation -it was resurrection. A true labor of love that demonstrates unwavering commitment to preserving architectural integrity while adding modern comfort so subtly that every enhancement serves Lindeberg's original design. The great room commands attention immediately, anchored by its soaring space and those awe-inspiring Cobble views that drew Brooke Astor here season after season. She and her husband Buddie called this place "Miln House," her favorite retreat from the constant noise of New York. Where land, light, and legacy converge in the profound quiet she treasured above all else.

Light and Living Spaces

Original oak casements line the walls, their patina deepened by more than a century of valley light. Silver leaf graces one of five fireplace mantles, each a gathering place for the kind of conversations that flow naturally when you're surrounded by such beauty. The library retains Lindeberg's original woodwork and moldings, the kind of millwork that today's craftsmen study but rarely replicate. Seven bedrooms flow throughout the house, including two primary suites positioned in opposite wings for both intimacy and independence. Each space breathes with the proportions that made Lindeberg legendary, rooms that feel both grand and livable, formal yet welcoming. The restored portico deserves special mention. Every pillar hand-sanded over nine months of painstaking work, no power tools allowed. Overhead wainscoting features 16-foot boards with 1-inch recessed lighting on dimmers, so small as to be as inconspicuous as possible, creating the perfect setting for evening conversations overlooking the valley.

The Land as Canvas

What transforms Cobble House from remarkable to irreplaceable is how 15 acres have been thoughtfully restored to frame those Cobble views. More than half the property was re-engineered to bring the landscape back to how Lindeberg originally envisioned it, emphasizing the land's inherent and greatest strengths. Four distinct vistas unfold across the grounds: the overlook, where 20 tons of earth were moved to create the perfect viewing platform; the Great Lawn that cascades toward the valley floor; an intimate courtyard for quiet moments; and the grand lawn where celebrations feel both effortless and inevitable. The 2,000-square-foot vanishing-edge patio required 38 truckloads of earth and measures 66 by 33 feet, infrastructure for the grandest entertaining yet intimate enough for morning coffee overlooking geological drama that predates human history.

Flexibility for Your Vision

Cobble House comes with something almost unheard of: a special use permit allowing up to 49 guests per day, and up to 99 guests 1 day of each week. Whether your dreams include intimate dinner parties, an exclusive private club, sophisticated culinary ventures, or simply the grandest family gatherings, the infrastructure supports whatever your imagination envisions. The current commercial kitchen, robust systems throughout, and Cat 5 fiber networking create a foundation for possibilities most properties simply cannot offer. Roughly 2,300 feet of road frontage provides potential that extends far beyond the house itself.

Robust Infrastructure

Almost every inch of this remarkable country home has been painstakingly restored, blending timeless character with 21st century comforts. The first-floor ceilings have been completely rebuilt with fire-blocking sheetrock, while walls throughout both the first and second floors have been re-plastered and refinished to perfection. The entire home has been fully rewired with a 400-amp electrical system, featuring two main panels and five sub-panels all neatly segmented and labeled for ease of use. The kitchen has also been lined for propane cooking and the home is prepared with dedicated connections for a backup generator, ensuring peace of mind and uninterrupted comfort.

The original oak floors have been beautifully refinished, showcasing their natural warmth and elegance. All five chimneys have been completely rebuilt and are fully functional, preserving the home's historic charm. The property is also equipped with a state-of-the-art fiber internet system designed to accommodate 50+ users seamlessly, making it ideal for both personal and commercial use.

Modern upgrades include brand-new plumbing, top-of-the-line HVAC systems, and a fully integrated infrastructure designed for comfort and reliability. Every detail has been carefully considered, from the painstaking restoration of the crown moldings and oak casements to the beautifully refinished doors that shut quietly with the gentle touch of a finger.

This exceptional residence is a rare blend of history, craftsmanship, and modern luxury restored to last for generations to come.

What Cannot Be Replicated

Lindeberg designed fewer than 200 homes during his fifty-year career, and houses of this scale and quality from the golden age of American Country House design have become extraordinarily rare. The architect who shaped how our most prominent families lived created something here that honors both the Tyringham landscape and the art of gracious living. Add to this the valley setting where The Shakers built their "Jerusalem" community, where conservation efforts ensure the pastoral beauty remains protected, and where the Cobble views provide a daily reminder of forces larger than ourselves. Some things exist nowhere else.

Your Stewardship Begins

Cobble House represents more than ownership, it's stewardship of something irreplaceable. In a world of replicas and reproductions, here stands something authentic. Something that cannot be built again.

8 Webster Rd, Tyringham, MA

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