Iconic Architecture: The Greek Revival Style
Luxury Defined spotlights five homes that pay tribute to the architecture of Ancient Greece
Luxury Defined spotlights five homes that pay tribute to the architecture of Ancient Greece
Greek Revival: There are good reasons why they revived it. With the archaeological rediscovery of its ancient ruins, Greek culture transformed popular consciousness in the early 19th century. The past became the present against the social and political turbulence of the era. Architects were drawn to the calm order of column, frieze, and pilaster, where mathematically exact proportions imparted magnificence and a sense of the eternal. The young American nation established its own connection with the first democracy, and the architecture of Washington, D.C., was the result. That grandeur also lends itself to the more modest proportions of residential architecture. Here, Luxury Defined offers five homes where that connection with the past creates tranquil exteriors and light, airy interior spaces pleasing the eye and reviving the soul.
William Crosby House
Nantucket, Massachusetts
The scale, proportion, and craftsmanship of this landmark circa-1827 Greek Revival mansion reflect the prosperity of Nantucket during its heyday as a whaling town. The property has a prestigious address directly across from Nantucket Atheneum and Hadwen House, other fine examples of the Greek Revival style. The nearly 7,000-square-foot residence was completely restored and renovated in recent years. The updates include a fully equipped chef’s kitchen, seven bathrooms and two powder rooms. The detailed hardware was chosen to reflect the elegant lifestyle of the period, while the home’s windows, shutters, and antique wood finishes were painstakingly restored to their original splendor.
John Wilder House
Weston, Vermont
In 1827, prominent politician Judge John Wilder built this handsome brick mansion above the village green in Weston, Connecticut. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an outstanding example of transitional Federal-Greek Revival architecture in brick. The three-story residence was restored in 1907 and again in 2006, while retaining its fine period details, which include antique finishes and stenciling attributed to folk artist Moses Eaton. The grandly proportioned formal areas are complemented by intimate spaces for study or quiet contemplation. Other notable features include a sunroom, kitchen with an Aga stove, and eight bedrooms, all with their own distinctive charm. The property also includes a heated post-and-beam barn built with a large loft above a three-bay garage.
Country Compound
Ridgefield, Connecticut
This Greek Revival home combines 18th-century grandeur with 21st-century comforts. At the entrance, a stately white façade, portico, and three Ionic columns introduce the classical details. The interiors feature chestnut floors, high ceilings with hand-hewn beams, crown moldings, and vintage paneling. Divided-light windows bathe the home in natural light and allow for scenic views of the grounds. The gracious living spaces include an updated kitchen, four-season sunroom, and private master suite. Comprising nearly 3.5 acres, the grounds are enhanced with an L-shaped pool surrounded by gardens, stone terraces, perennial plantings, and evergreen trees, which lead to fenced paddocks and a barn. A one-bedroom cottage on the property is ideal as a staff or guest residence.
Brookwood Manor House
Atlanta, Georgia
An homage to the Greek classical order, this elegant Atlanta mansion was built with exacting attention to period detail. The façade is perfectly symmetrical: upper and lower verandas are supported by four columns crowned by an ornate flat roof. The interiors display the same symmetry and grand proportions. Furthering the period elegance are antique heart-pine floors and 10-foot ceilings with crystal chandeliers. Among the appointments are a formal banquet room with fireplace, a gourmet kitchen opening to a breakfast room and fireside den, a master suite with spa bathroom, and a lower-level apartment featuring a movie theater, office, and gym. At the rear of the house is a covered terrace opening to a tranquil New Orleans-style courtyard garden with a fountain.
Grade II-Listed Stucco House
Notting Hill, London