Blairsden, Châteauesque mansion in Peapack-Gladstone, United States.
Blairsden is a chateau-style mansion perched on a hillside overlooking Ravine Lake. The estate spans 62,000 square feet with 38 rooms, 25 fireplaces, 19 bathrooms, marble columns, ornate moldings, and a 300-foot reflecting pool.
Investment banker Clinton Ledyard Blair commissioned architects Carrere and Hastings to construct this residence between 1897 and 1903. The ambitious construction reshaped the landscape and employed cutting-edge techniques of that era.
From 1950 to 2002, the Sisters of St. John the Baptist used the property as a spiritual retreat center. The religious community shaped the estate's purpose as a place for contemplation during those decades.
The hillside location requires sturdy footwear and some stamina when exploring the grounds. Access to different levels can be challenging, so plan to move slowly and watch your footing on the slopes.
Construction required leveling part of a mountainside to make room for the estate. A funicular railway transported both building materials and guests up and down through the terraced gardens.
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