This $2.7 Million Safe House in Upstate New York Has Hosted U.N. Meetings and Royalty
New York’s Hudson Valley is revered for its idyllic landscape, but its esteemed estates are stealing the spotlight this summer. Last month, Hollywood power couple Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas listed their Georgian-style home in the area for $12 million, just before Sylvester Stallone’s modernist digs came to market for $4.3 million. Now, the ultimate “safe house,” in the Orange County town of Chester and used over the years by international dignitaries, is also now up for grabs at $2.69 million.
The residence, with a bunch of disaster-ready features, was originally listed for $3 million back in 2018, according to the New York Post. Four years later and a half-million dollar price cut, owner Dave Vitalli, a U.S. defense contractor, just hoisted the spy-worthy abode back onto the market, along with its secret exits, panic rooms, and helipad. Richard Healy, Jason Karadus, and Marie-Claire Gladstone of Corcoran Country Living hold the listing.
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Set on nearly 10 acres of land in lower Hudson Valley, the estate was reportedly built for the Dow Jones family in 1986 by influential architect Paul Rudolph. Today it offers about 8,200 square feet of living space with five bedrooms and an equal number of bathrooms, plus a private security gatehouse and access to a white sand beachfront.
“It’s basically the fun house, where people come not to worry,” Vitalli told the NY Post in an interview. The charming exterior is backed by steel-reinforced walls, offering a safe space to African leaders who’ve held UN summits at the residence, as well as Middle Eastern royals and training security forces. “Princes from Saudi Arabia and the head of state from Jordan [have stayed here],” he says, including one royal who came in on a 727 “filled with his wives.”
Grooved wood beam ceilings and glacier-cut bluestone flooring trail the residence with a rambling, open floor plan that still feels intimate. Several cozy living areas with ample seating space are found next to key amenities like a chef’s kitchen and a dining room. Stainless-steel modern appliances dot the former, while the eating area features a built-in wine storage display. Even more unique, the home has a filtration system designed by NASA.
The primary suite features a large bedroom next to an en-suite bath. Here, the abode’s rustic, chalet-style appeal pops against gray stone accents and leaded glass panels set into black doors. Second-floor bedrooms have their own emergency exits, while third-story bedrooms each include a panic room. Document storage areas scattered throughout the home are also available for securely storing important files. Other luxe amenities include a home theater, library, and gym. There’s even a ballroom for hosting large gatherings (or clandestine meetings between global power brokers).
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Head outdoors to take a dip in the saltwater pool or relax in the outdoor kitchen and al fresco dining room. The clay tennis court nearby is good for working up a sweat, and there are several cabanas on the grounds for quiet moments and consequential tête-à-têtes. You can also join in on nearby off-site activities like hiking and fishing, and the estate is only a few minutes from the Glenmere Mansion Resort.
Click here for more images of the upstate home.
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