Copper Beech Farm in Greenwich, CT, sold for a record-breaking $138 million in 2023, solidifying its status as one of the most significant properties in the United States and the largest surviving Gilded Age mansion in Connecticut.
Situated on a private peninsula, the estate spans over 50 acres and boasts more than 1,800 feet of shoreline. Visitors enter the property via a 1,500-foot driveway that winds through a forest and past a charming three-bedroom gatehouse. Perched 40 feet above Long Island Sound, the 15,000-square-foot, eight-bedroom French Renaissance-style main house offers sweeping views of the water.
The estate’s outdoor features are equally remarkable. A distinctive 16-sided pool with an adjoining spa overlooks Long Island Sound, accompanied by a Victorian tea pagoda repurposed as a pool house and a grass tennis court. Inside, the mansion’s lower level provides a glimpse into its storied past, complete with an original staff kitchen and a dumb waiter—a nod to its Gilded Age origins.
A Legacy of the Gilded Age
Copper Beech Farm’s history dates back to 1896 when it was built for John Hamilton Gourlie, a prominent industrialist. In 1905 the estate was purchased by James and Harriet Lauder Greenway, the daughter of George Lauder and niece of Andrew Carnegie.
Under the Lauder-Greenway family, the estate was expanded significantly, with two new wings added to the French Renaissance-style mansion. At its peak, the property encompassed over 100 acres, including orchards, gardens, and even a private island. In 1918, the Greenway’s donated one of the estate’s islands to the town of Greenwich, now known as Island Beach — a cherished destination for local residents. They also provided the first ferry service to the island.
A History of Record Sales
Copper Beech Farm remained in the Greenway family for much of the 20th century before being sold in 1981 to timber tycoon John Rudey for $7.5 million. In 2014, the estate made headlines when it sold for $120 million, earning Rudey a $100+ million profit and setting the record at the time for the most expensive home ever sold in the United States.
The estate’s 2023 sale for $138 million reaffirmed its standing as one of America’s most prestigious and valuable properties.
Cress is an innovative real estate advisory firm representing buyers and sellers of high-end properties throughout Fairfield County, CT and beyond. On the sell side, Cress delivers marketing-driven support designed to expand visibility and maximize outcomes. Through its co-listing model, Cress partners alongside listing agents to provide digital-first distribution, high-quality content creation, and proactive demand generation strategies that extend well beyond traditional MLS exposure.
On the buy side, Cress offers flat-fee representation and commission rebate programs that bring efficiency and transparency to luxury transactions while maintaining a high standard of service. Known for strategic insight, modern marketing execution, and deep local knowledge, Cress provides a smarter, more aligned approach to buying and selling real estate.
For more information, visit www.callcress.com.
Doug Cress
(212) 203-5251
doug@cress.co
License #RES.0832278
Fairfield County, CT
Enterprise Realty Inc.
License #REB.0751297
45 Huntington Plaza
Shelton, CT 06484
