Stone Chateau in Northern N.J. Sells for US$17.7 Million, the State’s Biggest Home Sale in Three Years
The custom megamansion is located in the affluent town of Alpine, not far from New York City.
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A Versailles-style chateau in Alpine, New Jersey, has just been sold for US$17.7 million, the state’s highest home sale in the past three years.
The sale of the custom megamansion, which closed Tuesday, is also the highest-priced in the affluent town and in the Rio Vista neighbourhood since January 2022.
David and Mindy Kwon bought the vacant Bergen County land in 2011 for $3.95 million, according to records on Property Shark. They declined to comment on the sale.
The Kwons spent four years building their dream house, which they christened Chateau de la Roche for the boulder that had to be blasted out of the ground before the project could commence.
Designed by Zampolin & Associates Architects, the cast stone, limestone and travertine residence presides over 2 acres.
The interiors are by Denise Albanese, who, in her dual role as realtor associate at the Christie’s Mahwah-Saddle River Sales Gallery, also represented the Kwons in the sale.
“Among the luxury homes in Rio Vista, Chateau de la Roche is the cream of the crop,” she said. “It’s one of the most elegant—there’s a general feeling of grandeur and luxury.”
The seven-bedroom, 10.5-bath house, which was completed in 2017, is palatial enough to suit royalty.
The 25,700-square-foot house, which is about a half hour from Manhattan, has a 15-seat theatre, an elevator, a gas fireplace, a billiards room, two bars, a wine cellar, two indoor plunge pools, a sauna, a steam room, a conservatory and a central-vacuuming system.
Other features include a grand central staircase illuminated by a massive crystal chandelier, a great room warmed by a mammoth fireplace, a conservatory, a mezzanine and an ornately wood-panelled library with a fireplace. The garage can accommodate four vehicles.
Outside, there’s a resort-style swimming pool and a spa.
It’s the details, Albanese said, that set the chateau apart.
“It has soaring ceilings, custom fireplaces and bridal staircases,” she said. “In one of the powder rooms, there is glass-beaded wallpaper.”
Mansion Global could not immediately confirm the identity of the buyer, who was represented by Richard Orlando and Jason Pierce of Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty and Taylor Lucyk of Christie’s International Real Estate Group
Albanese said that the Kwons, who own several other homes, are downsizing.
The transaction, she said, was a “full-circle moment for me as an interior designer and real estate agent. It’s a little sad to see the chateau go, but I’m already working with the sellers on their next interior design and real estate venture.”
Kwon is the corporate vice president and chief legal officer of ADP (Automatic Data Processing), a Roseland, New Jersey., company that provides human resources management software services. And he’s a trustee on the board of SEEDS, a New Jersey-based nonprofit that helps high-achieving students from low-income families.
Chateau de la Roche was originally put up for sale in 2021 for $25 million. Since 2023, the asking price has been $22.49 million.
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Mirvac’s 45-level Trielle has topped out at Yarra’s Edge, pairing riverfront apartments with wellness facilities, private dining and resident services.
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Mirvac has topped out Trielle at Melbourne’s Yarra’s Edge, with more than 70 per cent of the riverfront development sold and approximately 80 per cent of purchasers intending to make their apartment a home.
The figures, released on September 22, point to an owner-occupier audience for one of the precinct’s final residential towers. Mirvac began developing Yarra’s Edge in 2003, and its latest addition occupies one of the remaining absolute riverfront sites.
Mirvac CEO of Development Stuart Penklis said existing residents were among those moving up within the neighbourhood.
“Many purchasers already have a connection to Yarra’s Edge,” Mr Penklis said, describing buyers whose changing needs were encouraging an upgrade within the precinct.
“As one of the final residential towers within Yarra’s Edge, Trielle represents the culmination of more than two decades of creating one of Melbourne’s most established and sought-after waterfront communities,” Penklis said.
“Positioned on the Collins Street axis with absolute river frontage, Trielle offers residents a rare opportunity to enjoy sweeping views across the Yarra River, Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay, while remaining seamlessly connected to the CBD. With Trielle now more than 70 per cent sold, we’re continuing to see strong demand from buyers seeking quality homes in established locations.”
The developer also flagged a penthouse and sub-penthouse collection with larger layouts, premium finishes and broad outlooks. The planned wellness centrepiece, The Oasis, encompasses a 900-square-metre elevated urban rainforest.
Mirvac General Manager Residential Development Victoria Elysa Anderson said Trielle had resonated strongly with buyers seeking a rare lifestyle offering in Melbourne.
“Opportunities to secure a new luxury residence on a riverfront site of this calibre are incredibly rare, particularly within a community like Yarra’s Edge,” Anderson said.
“What makes Trielle unique is the combination of exceptional views, world-class residential facilities and the lifestyle that already exists around it. Residents are buying into a mature waterfront community with parks, promenades, dining, wellness and strong community connections already in place.”
The 45-level tower brings a substantial new presence to that waterfront. Its residential offering spans one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, with Signature, Prestige and Sub-Penthouse collections accommodating different household sizes. The north-facing position connects the apartments visually to the river and city beyond.
Seven storeys above the promenade, the planned Oasis combines planting and a running stream with a Scandinavian-inspired wellness club developed with spa specialist Naomi Gregory. Facilities include a 25-metre lap pool, hot magnesium pool, sauna, hydrotherapy, a gym, yoga and Pilates room, and treatment spaces.
The amenity extends beyond exercise. Residents will have access to The Biblioteca library and workspaces, ground-floor work pods, and The Salone piano lounge. A private Chef’s Table dining room offers a setting for larger gatherings, while a cinema, games room and sports lounge broaden the entertaining options. Concierge services and a dog-wash area support everyday routines.
Trielle comprises a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences. Reflecting strong demand from owner occupiers, approximately 80 per cent of purchasers to date intend to live in their homes, highlighting the project’s appeal to those seeking a long-term waterfront lifestyle.
Mirvac has recently delivered The Albertine, a premium apartment development on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD, and is nearing completion of Prince & Parade in Brunswick, further strengthening its portfolio of thoughtfully designed apartment communities in some of Melbourne’s most sought-after urban locations.
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