What could be more romantic than owning a private island? One of the most intriguing is Connecticut’s Potato Island, ideal as a tucked away retreat and just 90 minutes from New York City. The proximity of this out-of-the-way island, with its century-old residence fully modernized and updated in 2012, near a global city is truly unique.
Potato Island in Long Island Sound, while deceptively remote, also offers modern conveniences, such as on-demand electricity and water. Underwater cables served by public utilities connect to the island’s home. No rain catchment and generators needed for day-to-day living, as is the case on many private islands.
And should life on the 1.1-acre island begin to feel a little off-the-social-grid, the quaint village of Stoney Creek, Connecticut, is an eye-blink away: some two minutes by boat for an evening of fine dining or carry-out pizza. Alternatively, an afternoon of culture or shopping awaits. Sports enthusiasts certainly don’t lack opportunities to work up a sweat—by biking, hiking, and running the quiet roads or local trails or dropping into a yoga studio or gym.
The only man-made island in Connecticut’s Thimble chain, Potato Island is named for the large brown boulders used to construct the property. The island is replete with vegetation and color, appointed with grassy expanses, mature trees, and flowering gardens. There is also a lovely pool and a custom hand-cut granite hot tub nestled into the rocks and offering magnificent sunset and seascape views. The estate includes a deepwater dock with quick access to the East Coast’s famed waterways. The home is also equipped with solar panels to reduce its carbon footprint and a backup propane generator.
The renovation of the 3,871-square-foot residence preserves its original character while perfectly positioning large windows in the main living areas to optimize tranquil water views and the occasional boat passing. Kathleen Coumou, Executive Director of Christie’s International Real Estate, said: “The panoramic water views of the Thimble Islands from the home are reminiscent of life on a luxury yacht at sea.”
The four-bedroom, three-and-one-half-bathroom Shingle-style home evokes the relaxed aesthetic of a summer cottage. The centerpiece of the main level is a graceful wraparound porch for quiet contemplation or summer entertaining. Other appointments are a magnificent fieldstone fireplace in the living room and vaulted ceilings throughout. The large dining room is complemented by another nook encircled by bay windows with 180-degree water views for more intimate affairs. The kitchen boasts state-of-the-art appliances and a breakfast bar.
Thoughtful appointments in the second-level master suite include white marble countertops, a steam shower, a Jacuzzi tub and sitting porches on the north and south sides. The large second bedroom could be used as an additional master suite and features a full bathroom, vaulted ceilings, sweeping views to the north and west, and an inviting window seat. Bedroom three is located on the south side of the house and offers fantastic views over the water and a private bathroom. The fourth bedroom is currently used as an exercise room.
Potato Island is part of the Thimble Island archipelago located in Long Island Sound off the shore of Connecticut. There are 100 to 300 or so islands in the Thimbles; only 23 are inhabited. Because of its proximity to Manhattan, the islands have attracted the attention of high-net-worth celebrities. President William Howard Taft established a summer White House here, as well. In the late 1600s, the pirate Captain William Kidd was said to appreciate the islands’ protected moorage and is reputed to have buried his riches there, the reason quite a number of the islands bear his surname.
