The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Spacious New Haven colonial
Renovated home overlooks East Rock Park
This 1907 colonial overlooking East Rock Park has been transformed into a spectacular home blending historic character with European modernism.
Borja Atares purchased the home a year ago. At the time, it was a multifamily but the builder had noticed that New Haven lacked single-family residences, especially large high-end homes so eight months ago he set out to complete a metamorphosis.
From Europe, Atares has a background in building restaurants and hotels but when he came to the U.S. five years ago he developed a love for building single family homes.
While noting many Americans make homes in rural areas, Atares said he prefers city living, with parks, shops and restaurants a walk away and wanted to expand the availability of modernized family homes.
In updating the home at 50 Cold Spring in New Haven, Atares created a high efficiency home with new heating and electrical systems, windows, doors, plumbing, lighting and outlets.
Next, he renovated for design, creating an open layout.
Mike Martinez, listing agent for Re/Max Alliance said the mix of modern living based on European design with antique character is appealing.
“I think the open layout, for a house this big, is very nice,” he said. “The owner’s an engineer from Spain. He uses a lot of European [design]. I think European modernism has always been the leader in terms of what we’re doing in the USA.”
From the large foyer, the kitchen, dining and living rooms are connected, with the kitchen and dining room sharing a two-sided fireplace.
The setup allows easy gatherings for friends and family, with the host or hostess able to prepare refreshments and chat with family and friends, Atares said.
Viewing the kitchen as the most important room for the family, Atares installed high end appliances, quartz countertops, an island with seating and opened it to a deck overlooking the backyard.
The family room – the only room on the first floor with double doors – is a quiet hideaway and possible ground floor master bedroom.
The bright and spacious second floor master suite has 13 windows, a fireplace, sitting area, walk-in closet and a bath with double sinks, a shower and a soaker tub.
Three additional bedrooms share a full bath with double sinks.
The second-floor laundry room opens to a south facing sunroom.
With a living room, two bedrooms, a kitchen and a private stair from the street, the third floor could be an in-law or aupair suite or a private workspace.
The finished basement includes a cinema, two family rooms, a large gym and a separate area for mechanicals.
The well-lit outdoor spaces include a brick fire pit, a deck with outlets, a long driveway with room for five cars and a two-car detached finished garage.
“It’s a really, really nice garage,” Atares said.
The fully fenced yard is a safe space for children to run and play.
“You can enjoy every single square foot of this property,” Atares said.
As far as his favorite parts, Atares said he likes the kitchen and dining room because of the shared fireplace and the formal living room because it is set high above the street overlooking East Rock Park.
“You don’t see any cars,” Atares said. “When the spring is here, it’s like a garden in front of your house and it’s awesome.”
Martinez concurred that proximity to the park is a major perk.
While building and renovating, Atares said he always thinks of the people who will one day inhabit the home.
“I do every house like it’s my house and I really enjoy every single detail,” he said.