Enormous New Jersey mansion hits market with a price guide topping $60 million

“I’m proud New Jersey is my home. Yeah said I’m proud now New Jersey is my home.” So sings Bruce Springsteen in – you guessed it – New Jersey is My Home.

Whoever buys Darlington, a majestic estate built in 1907, will be mighty proud New Jersey is their home, too.

The 58-room mansion on a five-hectare parcel of land in the exclusive Mahwah township has been described as the American Versailles, rivalling Gilded Age mansions in Newport, Rhode Island.

Over the past seven years, the three-storey James Brite-designed home has undergone a meticulous renovation.

Mechanical systems and bathrooms have been replaced. Italian wood-carvers were among the team of architects, designers and artisans involved in the upgrade.

Now offering 4600 square metres of living space, the heritage-listed property features a great hall with a 1906 pipe organ, a mural-walled library, restaurant-style kitchen, wine cellar, cigar room, beauty salon, pools, steam room, tennis court, eight-car garage and staff quarters.

It’s listed through Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate Special Properties with a guide of US$48 million (about $61 million).

Special Properties agent Sonja Cullaro says northern New Jersey, which is part of the New York City metropolitan area, is one of the most affluent parts of the United States, offering a huge range of architectural styles.

• Related: Refinery gets dramatic makeover
• Related: Mallorca pallace’s $30m price tag
• Related: Inside a mind-blowing Mykonos villa

“This area has historically been a place where people settle to enjoy a high-quality, sophisticated lifestyle in more spacious, lush, green settings, while still being just a short distance away from New York City,” Cullaro says.

Current market

Cullaro says the luxury market in Northern New Jersey has performed strongly and consistently lately, with proximity to the bright lights of New York City one of the region’s strongest drawcards.

Wall Street executives, business owners and celebrities are among those who call the area home, lured by low property taxes, top schools and park-like surroundings, not to mention easy access to great shops, cultural attractions, restaurants and outdoor recreation.

“We believe the outlook for 2018 and beyond is extremely positive.”

Can Australians buy in? 

“Yes,” Cullaro says. “There are generally no restrictions to foreigners purchasing property here.”

What you can buy for…

$16.2 million

A nine-bedroom estate on the edge of the Manasquan River in Brielle, about an hour’s drive from New York City.

$7.6 million

A six-bedroom French chateau-inspired home in the suburb of Saddle River, complete with slate roof, pool and waterfall.

$2.9 million

An eight-bedroom home in Interlaken, New Jersey. The 1929 Tudor-style home has an original chestnut staircase.