A 30-room castle under an hour from Manhattan asks $4.5 million

Located in Stamford, Connecticut, just about an hour north of Manhattan, this nine-bedroom, eight-bath home was built to resemble a French castle, complete with a ballroom.

Designed by noted New York-based architects Hunt & Hunt and completed in 1913, the home was built for American movie pioneer, Frank Marion. Since then, only four owners have lived in the sprawling 8,140-square-foot residence.

Hunt & Hunt popularized the neo-French Renaissance style on Fifth Avenue in New York City, and similar slate roofs, copper crestings, and dormer windows with high pediments adorn this lavish home. The property’s double or triple windows with diamond-light casements harken back to the Loire Valley. The architects also ensured that the largest windows and terraces face the sea for optimal breezes and views.

Inside, a maze of long hallways, double door entrances, and 30 distinct rooms celebrate peak castle living. There may not be much use for a chauffeur’s waiting room, sewing room, darkroom, or coatcheck room these days, but this house has them. It also boasts wrought-iron wall sconces and balustrades, restored stained glass and leaded windows, marble over original steel staircases, and unblemished oak floors. That historic authenticity blends with recent updates like converting gas-lighting fixtures to electricity and modernizing the elevator.

Throw in New York City skyline views, a pool, and beach access, and Marion Castle could be the perfect property for a chateau-loving Francophile. Interested? 1 Rogers Road is on the market now for $4,495,000; it’s also available for rent for $30,000 per month.