Atalanta, an irreplaceable Hudson River Mansion on the grand scale of its neighbors north and south, was erected in 1851 of brick and stone to the plans of noted British architect Frank Wills. The estate was to provide both a splendid river view and elegant living for the family of Franklin Hughes Delano (for whom his great nephew Franklin Delano Roosevelt was named) and his bride Laura Eugenia Astor, daughter to William Backhouse Astor, then the richest man in America. Astor gifted the parcel that same year from his own 724-acre estate “Rokeby” as a wedding present. Atalanta’s 16,600 square feet include commodious public rooms with 18-foot ceilings that exhibit frescoes, exquisite fretwork, and 16 marble fireplaces with delicately carved surrounds. These public rooms all have oak and mahogany parquet floors, and many boast French doors that open to river terraces, porticoes, and a northern loggia. The house affords 10 generously proportioned bedrooms—several are en suite—10 full and three half baths, a formal wainscoted and architraved entrance hall and grand staircase with domed and frescoed skylight, and an adjoining upstairs hall, also with its companion domed and frescoed skylight. The main entrance from River Road is via a stone pillared gate and arch-windowed and hip-roofed gatehouse circa 1878. Building on the plans and landscape work of German-trained arborist to royalty, Hans Jacob Ehlers, Atalanta now enjoys ancient lanes and lawns with stately oaks and other mature specimen trees. A greenhouse, seven barns, including a handsome 1875 brick carriage barn, a stunning pool and Doric temple pool house, nearby tennis court, walking and bridle trails, woods and fields, four discreetly elegant guest houses, lush formal and informal gardens, and three glimmering ponds adumbrate further the picturesque nomenclature that now includes a large heated indoor riding arena, an outdoor dressage ring, a proud new horse barn, and paddocks—all on 144.5 magnificent acres. Atalanta shines as an estate of exceptional scale, pedigree, and careful stewardship set among the superlative patrician homes bearing family names that brought America to prominence on the world stage.
Estate Gallery
