14 Mile Island House: $ 10.8 million historical estate on a private island in New York is mentioned for the first time in 60 years
On the sparkling waters of Lake George, often called the “Queen of American Lakes”, an estate with seven bedrooms awaits in contrast to another at his next steward.
From the 19th-century hotel days to his 20th-century conservation, the legendary estate of 14 Mile Island is on 3-plus hectares of privacy near Bolton Landing, NY. It not only has a large number of views of the adirondacks, but also more than a century of history. Now, for the first time in more than 60 years, it is offered for sale for $ 10,800,000.
“It is the kind of ownership you never want to leave,” says Listing Agent Crystal Staepal. She notes that under the 186 islands on Lake George, there are only a handful of private ownership, and come on the market even less.
The name of 14 miles of the estate dates from the 18th century, when British soldiers wrongly thought they were 14 miles from the southern end of the lake. (In reality it was 11 miles) In 1857 the state of New York sold the island, together with five others, to a man mentioned William Smith. Over the years it became a hotel, a steamship excursion plug and finally, in 1905, a private home.
The architectural roots of the estate are almost as compelling as the setting. Commissioned by owner William BeardsleyThe Summer Home was designed by New York City Architect John W. Inglewho camped on the island to study his light and landscape before completing his plans.
Ingle’s design included Clerestory windows in the large room, positioned to catch fresh air, natural light and even the phases of the moon.
“History and architecture come together in such a beautiful way,” says Staepal. “It’s not just a house; it’s an inheritance.”
Nowadays the building remains proof of local craftsmanship and preservation. The main house shows an adapted post-and-steel construction, a two-storey stone fireplace and a curved 3000 square base southern veranda framed by 17 pillars made of Shelving Rock Stone.
“The veranda was deliberately compensated from the house to maximize light,” says Staepal. “It is these kinds of thoughtful details that make the design so timeless.”
The estate includes a boat house with guest rooms with two bedrooms. The meticulous restoration yielded the 2019 Adirondack Architectural Heritage Award. The price is just one of the many wills for the care with which the real estate is maintained by the current owners, the Finley family, who bought it from the Beardsleys in 1960.
With more than 2,600 feet coastline, the island offers a rare piece of privacy on Lake George, and it is also supplied with a private lagoon, gazebo and panoramic view that extend to Dome Island, Tongue Mountain and Black Mountain.
“Most houses on the lake only have 100 and 300 feet coastline,” notes Staepal. “This has more than 2,600, which is almost unheard of.”
The island even has its own FAA-registered seaplane base, which enables the authorized landing and binding of private water planes.
And although it feels like a world apart, 14 Mile Island is only a few minutes by boat from Bolton Landing, which offers stylish boutiques and eateries, as well as the historic Sagamore Resort.
The island is also just a short journey from Saratoga Springs, Lake Placid, Vermont and even Canada.
“It’s a one -off purchase,” says Staepal. “You not only buy a house – you buy one of the most beautiful lakes in the country and a piece of its history.”
