Overlooking the Hudson River in the esteemed hamlet of Balmville, this Gothic Revival masterpiece, The Rest is a rare and remarkable offering—an enduring symbol of 19th-century architecture, masterfully adapted for modern living.
Commissioned in the 1860s by Daniel Bennett St. John— Congressman, Senator, and a founding editor of The New York Times—this estate was brought to life by Frederick Clarke Withers, a leading figure in American Gothic Revival architecture and influenced by Calvert Vaux, co-designer of Central Park. The Rest was designed as both a living work of art and an inviting home.
The home celebrates the ethos of High Victorian Gothic Revival showcasing soaring tracery ceilings, gasolier-style chandeliers, floor to ceiling doors adorned with wood-framed diamond-patterned glass, and a Tiffany-style stained-glass window at its heart.
Rich inlaid and parquet floors, full-height wood wainscoting, and pocket doors feature prominently in the entry hall, drawing room, library, and dining room. Six original marble and wood fireplace mantels anchor the home. Glass-front-built-ins and intimate mullioned bay window seating invite the sharing of secrets.
Befitting its name, The Rest is an approachable home, grounded in comfort with expansive views of the Hudson from a bluestone veranda spanning the western facade.
A butler’s pantry connects the formal dining room with a chef’s kitchen featuring granite counters and river views, warm living room with wide wood plank floors, powder room, and access to the heated pool.
The second floor offers a primary suite with views of the Hudson and a custom dressing corridor. The spa-like ensuite has a double vanity, quartz counters, bidet, and soaking tub with river views.
The second floor is complete with four additional bedrooms and a bonus room, two with river views, and two more full baths. The upper floors are connected by a discreet secondary staircase and anchored by a traditional oculus or ‘roof lantern’ that beautifully filters daylight down to the floors below.