Stone Chateau in Northern N.J. Sells for US$17.7 Million, the State’s Biggest Home Sale in Three Years

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.

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.

On the left, palatial windows define the conservatory. While in the wood-panelled library, on the right, a fireplace adds atmosphere and warmth. David Heald Photography

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.

One of the priciest homes for sale in the Los Angeles area just got $40 million knocked off its listing price.

The Beverly Hills megamansion is now listed for $135 million, the highest asking price on the open market in Los Angeles County.

One other property , in Bel-Air, is also asking $135 million after a similar-sized price cut last month.

“It’s time (for the sellers) to move to the next chapter…They’re ready to pass the torch,” said Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency, who shares the listing with his colleague Stephen Shapiro.

The home was built for Tony Pritzker—heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune and brother of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker—and Jeanne Pritzker, who listed the home for sale in October 2024 for $195 million after settling their divorce, The Wall Street Journal reported at the time. That price was lowered to $175 million in April.

The estate is made up of multiple parcels, and, under an LLC, they bought at least some underlying property in 2005 for about $14.7 million, according to records accessed via PropertyShark.

The Pritzkers hired architect Ed Tuttle to design their contemporary mansion, made of steel, glass and limestone and completed in 2011. At 50,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest homes in the U.S., and nearly as big as the White House.

It stands on a 6-acre promontory—an unusually large lot size for Beverly Hills—allowing for an unobstructed view that stretches across Los Angeles all the way to the ocean.

“It’s one of the best and largest view promontories in Los Angeles,” Rappaport said. “The architecture design and scale of the property are irreplaceable.”

The 16-bedroom, 27-bathroom home is filled with all the expected high-end amenities, including a theater, a game room, a bowling alley, a wellness centre, a gym and a wine cellar, according to the listing.

There’s also a security room, 18 fireplaces, solar panels, and a heating and cooling system powered by geothermal technology.

On the grounds, there’s a two-story, two-bedroom guest house; parking for up to 100 cars; a green marble infinity pool and hot tub; an outdoor kitchen; and a lighted tennis court with a pavilion, according to the listing.

The Pritzkers couldn’t be reached for comment.

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.

The megamansion was built for Tony Pritzker, heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune and brother of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.