Bluestone Barn: Callicoon, NY
About The Property
For some, the “converted barn” is the holy grail of house styles, and Bluestone Barn may be the Mack Daddy of repurposed dairy farm barns. This one-of-a-kind dwelling is sited on 42.66 bucolic acres, with an eye-popping vista over its private pond and out to the area’s scenic rolling hills. It is one of only two properties on Head Road, named after the family who had previously owned the farm.
If you’ve ever spied an enormous farm building and wondered how in the world you would make that into a comfortable house, these owners created a warm, welcoming home from a cavernous 4,000+ square foot space by enclosing rooms at either end, and dividing up the huge remaining open space in the middle into discrete areas with defined purposes. Then they utilized the huge overhead space to build a series of deep lofts, and the result is a series of dynamic, and often surprisingly intimate, character-filled spaces.
The covered front porch opens into a generous entrance /mud room with lots of closets, which then flows into the central space via French doors. This is a Wow moment, as you’re introduced to the approximately 29 foot high ceiling and the stone fireplace that soars to its apex. (It’s a Rumford fireplace, by the way, which is a design from the 1700s that is exceptionally efficient. The stone has been repurposed from a former building on the property.)
Multiple large south-facing windows and skylights above light the room beautifully, highlighting the textures and natural tones of the chunky hand hewn beams, fireplace and hemlock wood floors. The windows are all new as of summer 2023, with two large windows being replaced by sliding glass doors, and new decks beyond. The living room slider makes the stunning view apparent year round, and from the primary seating area in front of the fireplace.
There is another area dedicated to perhaps more private reading or working nook off to a rear corner. (Looking for a 4th enclosed bedroom or office, this space could easily be converted with the simple addition of a wall. There are already generous closets.)
Moving around the fireplace, which is a central focal point, is the dining area, with plenty of space to host large holiday gatherings. The kitchen follows, which has a gas stove and island, a separate working Elmira stove, as well as a large walk-in pantry with second refrigerator.
Perhaps the most exciting spaces are overhead. Wide stairs lead to a long catwalk that connects two deep lofts at either end, one of which has a ladder to yet a third level. Half of one loft was recently enclosed, creating a generously-sized bedroom. In spite of there being so much space, these areas clearly are used and enjoyed, and incorporate things like a hanging chair, loungy day bed, tall bookshelves, seating areas, work spaces, etc.
Back downstairs, a corridor at the far side of the house leads to two bedrooms: The primary features the second of the new glass sliders opening onto a generous private deck, and is en suite with clawfoot tub and walk-in shower whose creative mosaic tiling was installed by the owner. The guest bedroom utilizes a bathroom with walk-in shower. There is also a room at the end with several storage closets.
The “basement” runs the full length of the house, and is cavernous, and includes a 1,000 sf heated workroom that had been a pottery studio. The utility room includes the connections to the solar array (on the roof), a 10.2 kW system with net metering.
The land is nothing short of stunning, comprised of numerous meadows on a gently sloping hillside, making the extended views possible. The spring fed pond is about 10 feet deep and is nearly an acre in size. It provides a most glorious tableau with the hills behind it, especially while sitting on the decks above, or the patio at ground level, which was built on the remains of an old stone silo.
Listing Agent: Jennifer Grimes, 845-593-9524
29 Head Road
Callicoon, NY 12723
DETAILS:
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms (logical spot for upstairs 3rd)
Square feet: 4,311
Acres: 42
Barn built: 1948, converted: 1986
New 2023/2024
Roof
Boiler: Heat and hot water
Windows: All windows on ground floor. Two picture windows replaced with glass sliding doors.
Deck: New, outside living room. New, outside primary bedroom.
Scenic, distant views
Private pond
1,000 sf workshop
Shed
Full basement
Heat: Radiant
Rumford (high efficiency) stone fireplace
Fuel: Propane
Water heater: Propane
Solar: 10.2 kW array, net metered
Septic
Spring-fed water
New appliances
Cell service: Excellent
Internet: Spectrum hi speed cable broadband
Town: Fremont
County: Sullivan
SBL: 38.-1-5*
Solar and agriculture tax breaks
Taxes: Town/Co. $8,453*; School: $8,366*
*Reflects 74 acres (not 41) and does not include reductions for solar and agricultural tax credits
Listing price: $1,250,000
Sold price: $1,150,000
