Classically elegant colonial
Home on private sandy beach in Fort Trumbull
Just off the shoreline of Milford and accessible by foot at low tide, Charles Island is the spot of land where Captain Kidd is rumored to have buried his treasure. Overlooking this spot, on a beautiful private sandy beach in Fort Trumbull, is where Neil and Susan Schiff decided to build their dream home, a classically elegant 5,000-square-foot colonial.
Fort Trumbull is located at the mouth of Milford Harbor -- with Gulf Beach to the east and Trumbull Beach to the west. Dr. Schiff enjoyed relaxing on any of the home’s multiple decks and taking in the breezes and the year ‘round ever-changing views of Long Island Sound, the harbor and its parade of boats and weekly sailboat regattas.
“The miles of sandy beach below provide endless hours of strolling, building sandcastles, paddle boarding and kayaking, “said Dr. Schiff. “Fishermen fill the Sound and the endless slap of waves fills the air and soothes the soul.”
“We found the ideal location here on Shell Avenue,” Susan Schiff added. “It is a quaint, historical private street with views of the Sound, Charles Island and walking distance to the harbor and the boatyard, which were very important to us. The endless sandy beach and sand bars provided the children with a built-in playground and the adults with beautiful, peaceful long romantic walks.”
The elevation was equally as important as they were able to build a FEMA-compliant home and not have to worry about flooding. The Schiffs built the four-bedroom home with architectural excellence and quality construction throughout, creating the kind of home that could be passed on through the family for years to come. To ensure that it could be a generational home that one can grow old in, an elevator shaft was incorporated into the design so an elevator can be added when desired.
Open and spacious with plenty of room to entertain, the home offered the availability to fit the Schiff’s entire large family for holidays and summer weekends. A wall of windows in the living room brings in views of the water, along with a convenient wet bar, double-sided fireplace that also faces the dining room and sliders to the deck. The banquetsized dining room also overlooks the water and opens to the deck for spectacular views while dining al fresco or inside.
One of Susan’s favorite places is the grand gourmet kitchen with breakfast area, island, quartz counters and access to the deck.
“It is the central hub of the home and is always bustling with family, making meals and sharing glasses of wine,” she reminisced.
A versatile first floor den or study can also serve as an optional first floor master suite.
On the upper level, the luxurious master suite affords a tranquil escape among tray ceiling, views of the water, private balcony and spa-like bath.
“There is truly a solid respite with its panoramic views and epic sun rises,” Susan added.
The third floor features a family room with balcony, game room and exercise room plus storage space.
This beachfront property also enjoys a large outdoor shower with dressing room and oversized twocar garage with plenty of off-street parking for guests, a necessity when living by the water.