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One of the region’s rarest estates is on the market: a Palladian-style Federal-period mansion situated on St. Helena Island overlooking Little Round Bay near Annapolis. Listed by Carol Snyder, of Carol Snyder Group of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, for $3.35 million, the residence was built in 1929 by Paul Burnett, a wealthy Baltimore lawyer and insurance executive. With its graceful five-part plan, the residence is modeled after the Homewood Museum on the campus of Johns Hopkins University.
The interior recalls the elegance of the era with marble checkerboard floors, antique chandeliers, a rotunda, eight chimneys, four bedrooms, 4 ½ baths, guesthouse and an unusual office in a restored water tower. Stone pathways traverse approximately 7 rolling acres adorned by collector’s gardens and statuary imported from Italy. Currently owned by Deborah and C. Edward Hartman II of Annapolis, the estate has 1600 feet of waterfront, including 175 feet of sandy beach and a multiple slip pier.
Islands located so close to Annapolis are virtually nonexistent. “This is a rare piece of property. We don’t live in Maine where there are lots of small islands for sale,” notes Snyder. “A five minute boat ride puts you on land, and in 20 minutes you can be right in downtown Annapolis, depending on the size of the boat.” Snyder believes the island oasis would make a perfect summer retreat and second home for anyone searching for serenity, security and privacy.
The Hartmans have lived on the island for over 15 years and, according to Mr. Hartman, its benefits are priceless. “Living out here is a way of life and I probably wouldn’t be here without it,” says the long-time Annapolitan, yachtsman and former owner of the Annapolis Boat Shows.
St. Helena is a fabled isle in Annapolis. There have been rumors that a racy club existed with illegal slot machines and that it was a proposed site for an institution for the criminally insane. Juliana Walch Ammon, who moved to the island when she was seven, shares her knowledge. The caretaker’s daughter, Ammon lived on St. Helena from 1938 to 1948. Now 84, she confirms that Burnett, the island’s owner at the time, indeed planned a Gentleman’s Club but it never came to fruition—World War II had erupted and supplies and manpower were limited, she says. He did build a custom hospital that accommodated 22 children with polio. He would invite them at no cost to spend the summer and housed a chef, nurses and aides to care for them in separate quarters.
The island estate, a Chesapeake treasure, will continue to grow in value but its price at the moment is stable. For an architecturally significant home on a private island $3.35 million is surprisingly reasonable when compared to similar luxury waterfront properties for sale, says Snyder.
RESOURCE:
Carol Synder, Carol Snyder Group
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
4 Church Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
Mobile: 410.271.5448
Office: 410.263.8686
carolsnydergroup.com
Annapolis Home Magazine
Vol. 7, No. 5 2016