This sure is a lot of house for the money! Even has an indoor pool! Lots of nice details! The house was built in 1933. It is located on 5.89 acres in West Orange, New Jersey. The house features multiple patios, parquet flooring, wood floors, decorative ceilings, built-in bookshelves, baseboards, crown moulding, decorative plaster work and french doors. Eighteen bedrooms and fourteen bathrooms. $1,500,000
Grand Setting & Architectural Legacy
Approaching the property, one is greeted by mature trees and expansive grounds that stretch over nearly six acres—a parcel large enough to feel deeply private, yet conveniently located near amenities and commuter routes. The house itself, built in the early 20th century, offers the charm and craftsmanship of its era: solid construction, architectural integrity and features you’ll seldom find in a modern tract home.
Exterior Features & Grounds
The estate’s generous acreage accommodates multiple patios, lawns and garden expanses. Outdoor living is richly rewarded here: whether that means a morning coffee on a terrace, an afternoon on the lawn or a twilight gathering under the stars on the patio. A variety of outdoor rooms and vantage points allow the grounds to feel like a private country estate rather than simply a suburban residence.
Given the sheer size of the parcel, there’s room for a myriad of landscaping ideas—formal gardens, courtyards, a carriage house, separate guest quarters or even a hillside walking path. The sense of scale cannot be overstated: six acres in West Orange offers both serenity and possibility.
Interior Charm & Period Detailing
Stepping inside, the home reveals its architectural details and classic craftsmanship in full force. You’ll find parquet wood flooring in many rooms, beautiful hardwood floors, and abundant decorative ceilings that speak of an era when ornamental plasterwork and grand design mattered. Baseboards and crown mouldings are generous, and built-in bookshelves provide both utility and character. French doors open between rooms, inviting flow and light. The formal living and dining rooms offer high ceilings and commanding presence, perfect for entertaining or quiet reflection. The library, panelled rooms and study niches evoke grandeur and comfortable refinement.
The Rooms: Bedrooms, Bathrooms & Flex Space
With eighteen bedrooms and fourteen bathrooms, the home easily accommodates a large family, staff quarters, generous guest suites or creative repurposing (for example: home offices, studios, gym, media room). Each of these rooms contains its own unique character—variations in size, layout and views provide flexibility. Many of the bathrooms retain original detailing which may include vintage tilework, classic fixtures, and ample space—something rare in modern homes. While the sheer number of rooms demands thoughtful layout planning, it presents extraordinary opportunity: the space could serve as a private family compound, a multi-generational setup, or an estate with room for staff and guests alike.
Indoor Pool & Entertainment Wing
Perhaps the most striking and exciting feature of the home is the indoor pool—an amenity that is far from common, and one that transforms the property into a full-service retreat. Imagine stepping from a formal room directly into a pool wing, year-round swimming regardless of weather, and hosting poolside parties without leaving home.
The indoor pool space anchors the entertainment potential of the estate. Around it you’ll find lounge-type spaces, possibly a bar or changing rooms, and the flexibility to build out spa, gym or media zones adjacent to the aquatic centre. For those who value wellness, recreation or entertaining, this is a standout feature.
Living & Dining Spaces
Formal living and dining rooms offer ample scale, refinement and architectural detail. The dining room, with moulded surround and perhaps built-in china cabinetry, is ideal for large dinner parties or family gatherings. The living room—with abundant windows, oversight of the grounds and direct sightlines to the pool wing—becomes both stately and welcoming.
Throughout the home, transitions between rooms feel thoughtful: wide hallways, gracious staircases, multiple entry points. The flexibility of layout means one wing may serve as family living, another as entertaining, and yet another for staff or guest use.
Kitchen & Service Areas
While the home’s era suggests a traditional kitchen layout, there’s opportunity to think creatively—modernize while preserving character. A large eat-in value or kitchen wing could support catering for large groups, multiple refrigerators, prep zones and staff circulation. The service areas likely include ample pantry space, storage and utilities—essential for handling the demands of 18 bedrooms and multiple bathrooms.
Library / Study / Offices
Built-in bookshelves suggest the presence of libraries or studies—rooms of calm and purpose, ideal for work-from-home setups, quiet reading or private board meetings. These spaces preserve the home’s elegant roots and support a contemporary lifestyle that requires office space, creative studios or homework centres.
Bedrooms and Guest Suites
With eighteen bedrooms, the distribution offers both public and private zones. The primary suite likely features en-suite bath, walk-in closet and generous views; guest suites might offer private baths, closets and access to outdoor patios or balcony spaces. Many bedrooms may enjoy garden views, children-friendly layouts, or conversion potential (e.g., nanny quarters, gym, hobby room, home theater).
Outdoor Patios & Terraces
Integrated with the interiors are multiple patios—ideal for dining al fresco, lounging near the pool wing or stepping into the gardens with ease. The outdoor living spaces enhance the indoor-outdoor flow: French doors open to patios, wood floors give way to stone terraces, and group gatherings become seamless.
Preservation & Renewal Potential
As a home built in 1933, this estate naturally blends historic character with the expectation of updates and modernization. Original plaster mouldings, woodwork, windows and flooring speak of quality. At the same time, large-scale properties such as this thrive with thoughtful renewal: kitchen and baths may be refreshed, mechanical systems updated and finishes personalized.
Because the property offers so much in terms of space and design, the future owner benefits from a foundation of architectural integrity and can add their own layering of modern amenities without losing the soul of the home.
Location: West Orange & Surroundings
Located in West Orange, the home benefits from proximity to New York metropolitan amenities while offering the lush, mature feel of a hillside suburban address. West Orange is well-known, with a mix of rolling landscapes, tree-lined streets and historic communities. The setting elevates this estate—not only as a grand house but as a stately home in a region that values craftsmanship, history and outdoor space.
Indoor Pool & Entertainment Wing
Perhaps the most striking and exciting feature of the home is the indoor pool—an amenity that is far from common, and one that transforms the property into a full-service retreat. Imagine stepping from a formal room directly into a pool wing, year-round swimming regardless of weather, and hosting poolside parties without leaving home.
The indoor pool space anchors the entertainment potential of the estate. Around it you’ll find lounge-type spaces, possibly a bar or changing rooms, and the flexibility to build out spa, gym or media zones adjacent to the aquatic centre. For those who value wellness, recreation or entertaining, this is a standout feature.
Financial & Value Considerations
Listed at $1,500,000, the asking price positions this house at a level that seems generous given the acreage, scale and amenities. Large estates on multiple acres with indoor pools often command significantly higher values. That said, buyers should anticipate ongoing maintenance costs, utility usage for large volumes of space and mechanical demands of a pool and historic systems. Tax and insurance burdens in New Jersey for properties of this size are likewise important to research.
Why This House Stands Out
- Scale & flexibility: 18 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms cover everything from family quarters to guest suites to staff space to home business zones.
- Rare amenity: An indoor pool elevates the property from simply “large house” to “estate resort.”
- Architectural character: The 1933 build and detailing—parquet floors, decorative ceilings, mouldings, built-in shelving—offer graceful provenance.
- Expansive grounds: Nearly six acres allows for privacy, landscaping, outdoor improvement, pool-side events and multi-wing layout.
- Potential: Whether used as a private residence, a shared family compound, or with guest quarters for extended family or staff, the home supports many trajectories.
- Opportunity price: At $1.5 million for this scale, there is value in comparison to many newer homes lacking character, land and scale.
Considerations for the Right Buyer
- Maintenance & upkeep: The size and age of the home, combined with the indoor pool, mean significant running costs—heating, pool chemicals, HVAC, grounds maintenance.
- Modernization: While the home has many original features, select areas will likely desire updating (kitchen, bathrooms, systems) to align with 21st-century living.
- Utilities & zoning: With 18 bedrooms, the home may require elevated mechanical systems, potentially higher energy usage and a larger staff or household infrastructure.
- Lifestyle fit: This is a property for someone who values expansive space, amenities and scale—not minimalism or small-house simplicity.
- Resale potential: While the price is strong, the market for ultra-large homes is more niche; however the uniqueness of indoor pool + acreage + historic build enhances comparative appeal.
Summary
This West Orange estate built in 1933 delivers an exceptionally rare combination of size, amenities and character: 18 bedrooms, 14 baths, an indoor pool, nearly six acres of grounds, and finishing details that speak to craftsmanship and provenance. At an asking price of $1,500,000, it presents a remarkable value proposition in today’s market for those seeking space, luxury and flexibility. Whether you’re entertaining large groups, accommodating extended family, or simply craving a private country-estate lifestyle within reach of metropolitan amenities, this home offers a remarkable canvas. Take in the high ceilings, the built-in shelves, the decorative plasterwork and views across the grounds—and imagine what this house becomes under your stewardship.
