Asked to describe the home, agent Jared Jordan of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties, responded without hesitation.
“This home is impressive. It’s spectacular. You have balconies on every level and views overlooking Hartford,” he said.
Later, he described the home, which is in the highly desirable Balfour neighborhood, at 162 Balfour Drive in West Hartford, as “stunning.” Although it is listed as a colonial, it goes beyond many of the traditional design elements associated with this architectural style, the better to serve the needs of contemporary buyers.
“This is a great home for entertaining,” Jordan said. It is spacious, with high ceilings that add to a feeling of openness. Enhancing this impression is the open floor plan. “Once you enter the home you can throughout the first floor,” he said.
Immediately upon entering, a visitor cannot help but notice the high quality of the construction and the exceptional levels of attention paid to the trim and millwork. From glistening hardwood floors to crown molding, this home stands out. It is impressive, yet it is also warm and inviting.
The kitchen is ready to serve as the center of activity for both entertaining and day-to-day living. It is large and equipped to handle a wide range of culinary activities, from preparing a light snack to creating a gourmet meal for a large party.
“The kitchen has custom cherry wood cabinets, high-end Viking appliances, the countertops are granite, the backsplash is marble, and it has a stone floor,” Jordan said. It combines high levels of beauty with undeniable practicality. And, if the ample counter space proves to be insufficient, there is a large island with a second sink that is ideal for preparing vegetables. This island also offers comfortable seating for up to six people.
The kitchen is open to the family and dining rooms. In the family room a large stone fireplace with a raised hearth, one of two fireplaces in the home, and a ceiling treatment with recessed lighting, boxed beams and a natural wood accent running the length of the room, are visual highlights.
The dining room ceiling rises to the top of the second floor, which adds to the feeling of space, while large windows, a feature throughout the home, let in ample natural light. Adding to the dining room’s visual appeal, the second floor hall is open on two sides to the dining room below.
As for the living room, it can accommodate a grand piano in one area with ample room left over for seating arrangements that can cater to small groups or large parties. A full wet bar at one end is also included, as is space for a billiard table.
Jordan is quick to point out that the first floor also has a circular reading area with a round glass floor segment that looks down into the wine cellar, which can be considered a work of art. It is climate controlled, features beautiful stone work to frame the wine storage areas, and has space for 2,500 bottles. Two half baths complete the first floor.
The second floor holds four of the home’s five bedrooms, including a beautiful primary suite. It is large, accesses a private balcony with an impressive view, and has two large walk-in closets with built-in storage cabinets, drawers and racks. It is, however, the large bath that may be considered the highlight of the suite. It has a large circular soaking tub, separate shower, dual sink vanity, and beautiful tile work. Adding to winter comfort, the floor has radiant heating, a feature also used on the first floor.
Three additional bedrooms are on the second floor. One has a private bath and a walk-in closet. The other two bedrooms share a Jack-and-Jill bath. All of the bedrooms are nicely sized and feature good closet space. An oversized recreation room is included on this floor along with the home’s laundry.
The third floor features a large open room and a full bath. A barrel ceiling at one end accesses the highest balcony. As Jordan noted, the higher you go in the home, the better the views.
In the lower level, there is an impressively finished eight seat home theater. In addition, there is a full bath and access to the wine cellar. This lower floor is actually at ground level.
The home comes with a three-car garage and ample parking in an area that is best described as a courtyard with a surface made up of pavers. Beyond that is an indoor sports court, large enough for basketball practice and other games and recreational activities. It can be reached from the house, without going outside, and for wintertime comfort, it, too, features radiant floor heating.
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The backyard is ideal for family activities. A heated in-ground gunite swimming pool has an adjacent heated spa, for the ultimate in relaxation. Beyond that is an outdoor fireplace.
The Balfour Drive location is ideal. While the neighborhood is peaceful and quiet, it is close to Blue Back Square, West Hartford Center, and restaurants and shops that cater to a wide range of tastes. The UConn Medical Center is also nearby, as are downtown Hartford and the centers of Farmington and Avon. Hiking and biking trails are also close.
With its ability to combine luxury living, an ideal location, and a highly appealing exterior and interior design, this home has to be considered unique.
Info :
Built: 2010
Price: $2,387,000
Style: Colonial
Rooms: 12
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 6 full; 2 half
Square footage: 11,543
Acreage: 1.27
tax rate: 42.35 mills
Best Feature: This is a great home for entertaining, with an open floor plan that allows all the elements to “flow together,” as Jared Jordan put it.
Contact: Jared Jordan
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties
860-305-8040
