These Timeless Classic Estates Are the Perfect Antidote to Contemporary

by Alyson Pitarre

Contemporary design will always have its rabid fans and followers. The clean, crisp lines and minimal ornamentation. The neutral shades and natural materials. The casual-yet-open spaces that just feel good. Yet classic spaces will never go out of style. In fact, traditional architecture can feel downright fresh amidst the constant stream of contemporary new builds that usually find their way onto the monthly “Just Listed” roster for the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury program.

With that in mind, here are three recently listed residences that inspired us with their spirited embrace of the traditional tried-and-true.

McMurray, Pennsylvania

Set about 40 minutes from Pittsburgh, Oak Grove represents timeless design at its best – a celebration of America’s finest equestrian estates. The European-style mansion, created from Vermont Limestone, has been called “an architectural marvel meticulously crafted for generations.” Classic detailing throughout the interiors builds on this theme, from the Mahogany doors to the Jerusalem stone flooring and radiant chandeliers.

Listed for $28,876,000 by Bonnie Loya, Coldwell Banker Realty in McMurray

Cape May, NJ.

This grand Colonial Revival on the Jersey Shore is what summer dreams and clapboard beach house fantasies are made of. Set right on the beachfront in a corner location that affords wide-angled ocean views from almost every room, the sprawling residence of over 12,000 square feet blends traditional Shore design vernacular with Gilded Age embellishments like a three-story-high foyer with double staircase and a classic wood-paneled library and lounge for a palatial setting that feels “straight out of a Hollywood movie,” according to the listing description.

Listed for $11,500,000 by Coldwell Banker Sols Real Estate

Aspen

Traditional on the outside, contemporary on the inside. This “rare jewel” of a townhouse in the Aspen Core is a careful study of juxtaposition. The elegant stone and steepled manor-style exterior belies what awaits inside: a fully renovated and thoughtfully designed sanctuary meant to resemble a modern luxury hotel suite with a fully outfitted upper-level “entertainer’s area” consisting of an open kitchen, dining and great room with a terrace overlooking Aspen Mountain.

Listed for $29,500,000 by Carrie Wells, Coldwell Banker Mason Morse