{"id":429,"date":"2025-03-18T14:00:19","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T18:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sothebysrealty.com\/2025\/03\/18\/inside-connecticuts-hay-island\/"},"modified":"2025-03-18T14:00:19","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T18:00:19","slug":"inside-connecticuts-hay-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-connecticuts-hay-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Connecticut\u2019s Hay Island"},"content":{"rendered":"

With its main residence, guesthouse, outdoor living spaces, infinity-edge pool, two beaches and a dock, private Hay Island near Darien meets all the requirements for a consummate sanctuary.<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>When pondering the notion of a coastal New England estate, several aspects come immediately to mind: timeless architecture\u2014ideally Colonial or Shingle in style or inspiration\u2014plentiful postcard-worthy views, interiors combining charm and a dedication to a classic aesthetic, terraces and balconies, a swimming pool, and perhaps a sandy beach with a dock lapped by waves\u2014all surrounded by expanses of verdant lawn and towering trees that have endured for decades or longer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Darien, Connecticut<\/a> | Leslie McElwreath<\/a>, Sotheby\u2019s International Realty \u2013 Greenwich Brokerage<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This seaside sanctuary on Hay Island<\/a>\u2014minutes from Darien, Connecticut\u2014checks all the boxes with its wooded acreage, multiple outdoor living spaces, an infinity-edge pool and spa, and two beaches\u2014a sheltered dock\u2014ideal for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, or boating. While the 8,684-square-foot main residence was constructed in 2010, it honors the architectural traditions of its Colonial-style forebears, suffused as it is with an Old World elegance, that natural glow particular to coastal locales, and sweeping southeasterly views across greenery to the shoreline, the Long Island Sound, and the historic Greens Ledge Lighthouse.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Spanning 18.15 acres, the island is a rare gem that has been owned by the same family for more than a century. Internationally lauded architect Austin Patterson Disston conceived the home to mirror the magnificence of its setting, ultimately creating a six-bedroom haven accented by eye-catching millwork, handsome columns and arches, refined finishes, and six warming fireplaces. A brick-paved veranda spans its entire rear length, providing perfect perches for basking in sea breezes, sunshine, and enviable outlooks.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Spaces for effortless day-to-day living and entertaining abound indoors. The formal living and dining rooms feature walls of windows directing the eye toward the inimitable vista. The cook\u2019s kitchen is accompanied by a butler’s pantry, an office, and a solarium-like breakfast room with a fireplace that opens to a stone terrace with a built-in grill. Nearby is a light-filled family room accessing a delightful screened-in porch. Completing the main level are an august wood-paneled library with custom bookshelves, window seats, a wet bar, a fireplace, and doors to the veranda; a peaceful guest suite with a marble bath; a mudroom with a full bath; a workshop; and a three-car garage with a playroom and fitness room on its upper level.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>On the second level, the primary suite comprises a bedroom giving way to a balcony designed for appreciating sunrises over the water and a luxurious marble bath with a soaking tub and a pair of dressing rooms. The two guest suites on this floor also enjoy picturesque vistas. Crowning the residence is a level that includes two quiet bedrooms and baths along with an office that\u2014fittingly for these environs\u2014recalls a ship captain’s quarters with its deep-set windows and high, expansive views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>From a certain vantage, the waters of the infinity-edge pool seem to flow uninterruptedly into the surrounding sea. Accompanying it are a sun-washed stone terrace and a pool house with a kitchenette and a bath. Any sophisticated getaway\u2014and certainly a private island\u2014requires space for visitors. The charming two-bedroom guesthouse offers a kitchen and breakfast area, an office, a family room with a fireplace, and a terrace overlooking Ziegler\u2019s Cove. Beyond, tall trees provide cool shade, and paths meander to the garden, the \u201cgreat lawn,\u201d a spring-fed pond, and secluded spots with undisturbed views. High above the sound at the end of a gated causeway, this quintessential coastal New England property is a rare opportunity, a consummate sanctuary and an island of one\u2019s own.<\/p>\n

Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With its main residence, guesthouse, outdoor living spaces, infinity-edge pool, two beaches and a dock, private Hay Island near Darien meets all the requirements for a consummate sanctuary. When pondering the notion of a coastal New England estate, several aspects come immediately to mind: timeless architecture\u2014ideally Colonial or Shingle in style or inspiration\u2014plentiful postcard-worthy views, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232770368,"featured_media":343626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1399],"tags":[1428],"class_list":["post-429","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-and-design","tag-connecticut"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-5.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-6V","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":344009,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-a-resort-like-getaway-on-a-private-connecticut-island\/","url_meta":{"origin":429,"position":0},"title":"Inside a Resort-Like Getaway on a Private Connecticut Island","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"May 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Off the coast of Connecticut, Rogers Island is an unparalleled oasis with an enchanting residence, guest houses, and seemingly every diversion desirable for a life lived in consummate serenity and seclusion Centuries ago, John Donne may have successfully made the case that \u201cno man is an island,\u201d but the appeal\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/header-5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/header-5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/header-5.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/header-5.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/header-5.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/header-5.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":343863,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-a-timeless-waterfront-estate-in-greenwich\/","url_meta":{"origin":429,"position":1},"title":"Inside a Timeless Waterfront Estate in Greenwich","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"April 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"This custom-built home is replete with the august details of a bygone era\u2014including columns, archways, wainscoting, ceiling tracery, and chevron-patterned parquetry\u2014yet is unquestionably inviting and basks in expansive views across the dazzling water. If the decades-long success of \u201cThis Old House\u201d is any indication, scores of homeowners are interested in\u2014if\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Header-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Header-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Header-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Header-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Header-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Header-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":341517,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-a-waterfront-haven-in-old-greenwich\/","url_meta":{"origin":429,"position":2},"title":"Inside a Waterfront Haven in Old Greenwich","author":"SIR Admin","date":"April 23, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The scene seems pulled from a storybook: a boat crosses the waters of Greenwich Cove and moors at a private dock, where a rugged stone wall runs alongside a swath of lush green grass and clusters of mature shade trees. Adirondack chairs provide a perfect perch for relaxing amid ocean\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1-2-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1-2-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1-2-1024x683.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":346344,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/significant-sales-february-2026-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":429,"position":3},"title":"Significant Sales: February 2026 Highlights","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"March 20, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"From a CHF$16.5 sale in Saint-Prex, Switzerland, to a US$19.7M sale in Newport Beach, California, here are five sales represented by the Sotheby\u2019s International Realty global network in February. Saint-Prex, Switzerland Davide Marra | Switzerland Sotheby's International Realty, CHF$16.5 View properties in Vaud, Switzerland Upperville, Virginia Daniel Heider, Laura Farrell,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"sitting room with white furniture and park views","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/111-West-57th-Street-VW7EED1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/111-West-57th-Street-VW7EED1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/111-West-57th-Street-VW7EED1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/111-West-57th-Street-VW7EED1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/111-West-57th-Street-VW7EED1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/111-West-57th-Street-VW7EED1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":345936,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/significant-sales-2025-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":429,"position":4},"title":"Significant Sales: 2025 Highlights","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"January 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"From a \u20ac164M sale in Sardinia, Italy, to US$56M sale in Portola Valley, here are ten top sales represented by the Sotheby\u2019s International Realty global network in 2025. Sardinia, Italy Marco Alberti | Italy Sotheby's International Realty, \u20ac164M View properties in Sardinia, Italy Dubai, United Arab Emirates Regan Faulkner, Ioana\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Home in Dubai, United Arab Emirates","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dubai1-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dubai1-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dubai1-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dubai1-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dubai1-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dubai1-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":342110,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/explore-6-luxurious-summer-rentals\/","url_meta":{"origin":429,"position":5},"title":"Explore 6 Luxurious Summer Rentals","author":"SIR Admin","date":"July 8, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"From an island escape in French Polynesia to a remarkable equestrian estate in Florida, these six properties prove that a retreating to a summer rental can be as luxurious and stylish as staying home. Nukutepipi in French Polynesia US$965,209 Weekly | French Polynesia Sotheby's International Realty Nukutepipi accommodates up to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/miami2-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/miami2-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/miami2-1024x683.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/429","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/232770368"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=429"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/429\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/343626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=429"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}