1884 Rosemary Lodge Hits the Market

A Water Mill house that was built in 1884 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 is now on the market for $14.25 million.

Known as both Rosemary Lodge and the Rev. H.T. Rose House, the shingle-style residence at 322 Rose Hill Road was built by the Reverend Henry Turbell Rose on land he purchased from his uncle for $50. He paid $25 for the architectural plans, according to the Brown Harris Stevens listing.

“Constructed as an unfinished shell in 1884 to plans by Lowell Massachusetts architect Frederick W. Stickney, A.I.A., the building is a highly intact example of the Shingle Style and for the exceptional workmanship of the interior, created over period of years by the original owner, Rev. Henry T. Rose,” the description on Rosemary Lodge’s National Register registration form states.

A rear wing was added to the north in 1904, and Rose also added several upper-story projections that exhibit the asymmetrical massing and irregular outline characteristic of the shingle style, the description continues.

In 1985, Rosemary Lodge was moved 0.4 mile south from the southeast corner of Rosehill Road and Montauk Highway to its current location on a .93-acre parcel.

“Although relocated, Rosemary Lodge maintains the level, open and rural setting in which it was built,” the description states.

The residence is also noted for retaining “museum-quality” original paneling, hand-carved woodwork, stained glass windows and intricate moldings.

“There is poetry literally carved into the walls including works by Shakespeare,” the listing states.

The residence was renovated in 2007 and comes with a heated pool and a pool house with a full bathroom, outdoor shower and outdoor cooking station.

The main house is 4,110 square feet with five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a half bathroom. The central living hall is paneled in ashwood, and four working fireplaces throughout the home feature hand-carved mantels, hand-painted designs and custom tile inserts.

“Throughout the home, delicate floral motifs, ships, butterflies, and birds are carefully etched into the wood, along with the initials ‘RL,’ a homage to its storied past,” the listing states.

The master suite offers an en suite spa-like bathroom, a walk-in closet and a terrace that overlooks farmland. The chef’s eat-in kitchen has a gas stove, large center island and access to the outdoor lounge and dining area. The grounds also include a rose garden at the entrance and a vegetable garden.

Additional amenities include a state-of-the-art darkroom for film developing, an exercise and bicycle shed, a newly installed electric vehicle charging station and a generator.

Brown Harris Stevens agent Steven Dorn has the listing.

Dorn said on Tuesday that the house is one-of-a-kind and “historic luxury at its best.”

He sees the house as attracting a certain type of buyer.

“They’re tired of the new stuff,” he said. “They’re tired of the cold and white and big windows. They want that homey atmosphere.”

He noted that Rosemary Lodge comes with the original built-in furniture and other period furniture as well, including the dining room set with sayings carved into each chair. It also includes the original owner’s diary detailing how he went about building the home.

He noted that the current owner has been there since 2004 and has redone all the plumbing, added an extension and put in a kitchen “that any cook would wish for.”

“This will make a wonderful home for a family,” Dorn added. “Historic, luxury, warmth all combined.”