Inside an Architect’s Home in Greenwich
Rarely does a renowned architect decide to sell his personal residence. Richard Granoff, at the top of the field in Greenwich, and his wife, business executive Jill Granoff, renovated and expanded this timeless home, portions of which date to 1907, creating a warm modern estate that blends traditional and contemporary styles. Over the years, the more-than-6,000-square-foot residence has been featured in numerous publications, from The New York Times to Cottages & Gardens.
The Granoffs outfitted the home to accommodate the demanding schedules of busy professionals. A sizeable wood-paneled room above the garage serves as an executive office, and a study or work area with built-in desks for family members occupies a section of the upper-level hall. Even two of the four guest bedrooms have been equipped with concentration in mind, featuring cabinets, cubbies, bookcases, and shelves.
The estate offers space to relax and unwind as well. The heart of the home is a great room with 20-foot beamed ceilings, a Pocono river stone fireplace, walls of oversized windows and French doors, and hardwood floors that make the space ideal for after-dinner mingling or dance parties. The built-in entertainment center houses a projection system with McIntosh surround sound and a drop-down screen. The sleek chef’s kitchen encourages epicurean explorations with a six-burner Miele range, a Porsche hood, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, four Perlick wine refrigerators, and a 1,000-bottle wine cellar. Fine dinners and festive gatherings can be held in the oversized dining room. An exercise room allows for easy at-home fitness.
Off the great room is a breezy south-facing covered porch that overlooks the spectacular grounds, which have been meticulously landscaped with rare specimen trees, shrubs, colorful perennials, meandering paths, stone walkways, rugged boulder walls, and well-positioned lighting. Anchoring it all at the back of the house is an alluring free-form swimming pool, perfect for fitness laps and soothing moments spent floating by the waterfall. Nearby, a hot tub is embraced by rocks and flora, and a charming pool house is tucked into the hillside. Flagstone patios—equipped with a built-in gas grill and outdoor speakers—allow for alfresco lounging, dining, entertaining, and reveling in the surroundings.
The forward-thinking renovation was also dedicated to environmental responsibility and green features—the property’s carbon footprint is much smaller than others of a comparable size and caliber. The estate includes a 12-panel photovoltaic solar collection system that generates 3 kilowatts of energy, accommodating 30 percent of the home’s electrical power requirement. Heating is cleanly efficient, and the five-zone heating and cooling system is controlled by Nest thermostats. Many materials—such as recycled Italian limestone—were chosen with an eye toward sustainability. The heated garage accommodates three cars along with a Tesla charging station. A 20-zone computer-controlled landscaping irrigation system allows for careful monitoring and regulation of water usage.
On a quiet, private, speed-controlled lane in Greenwich’s highly sought-after historic Rock Ridge Association, the home is exceptionally safe and private. The convenient and secure location is just minutes from Greenwich Avenue, shops, restaurants, the train, schools, and other amenities and conveniences.
