If you’re dreaming of owning your own private island, there are three of them for sale off the coast in Branford.Two of the fabled Thimble Islands, including Beldens Island and Gray Rock Island, along with a neighboring property known as Green Island are for sale, ranging in price from $2.5 million to $3.9 million.Kiara Rusconi, […]
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If you’re dreaming of owning your own private island, there are three of them for sale off the coast in Branford.
Two of the fabled Thimble Islands, including Beldens Island and Gray Rock Island, along with a neighboring property known as Green Island are for sale, ranging in price from $2.5 million to $3.9 million.
Kiara Rusconi, of William Raveis Real Estate, is the listing agent for Beldens and Green islands, which have been on the market for two months.
“Island living is unlike anything else,” Rusconi said. “It offers a truly private destination to retreat from the demands of everyday life. Breathtaking 360-degree water views and tranquil ocean breezes make one feel like they are a world away without isolation.”
The islands, which Rusconi said are easily accessed from the mainland, have been attracting prospective buyers “from near and far alike.”
Beldens Island
Beldens Island features a four-bedroom, two bath, 2,038-square-foot, single-family home built in 1912. Situated on a 1.04-acre lot, and surrounded by Long Island Sound, the property is on the market for $2.5 million.
Located 14 miles from the Hamptons, Beldens Island is accessible from Branford’s Stony Creek village, and is a 10-minute drive from the private dock to I-95.
The property offers waterfront views, a private beach and pink granite stone walls that lead to the seven-room cottage. The interior features vintage hardwood floors and wainscoted walls and ceilings on the main level.
The living/dining room features two stone fireplaces, and a country kitchen offers a four-burner gas stove with a griddle, coal stove and butler’s pantry. There are four large bedrooms on the second floor. Outside, there’s a built-in BBQ and wrap-around porches to take advantage of sunrises and sunsets.
Beldens Island has an appraised value of $1.1 million, town records show. The owner is listed as Beldens Island LLC of South Windsor, with a principal of Matthew Gunter of Glastonbury.
Green Island
Another island up for grabs and listed by Rusconi is Green Island, a neighbor of the Thimble Islands.
The Green Island property features a four-bedroom, two bath, 2,308-square-foot, single-family home built in 1990. The private island is surrounded by 360-degree waterfront views, with two beaches and 78 acres of oyster beds.
The 0.77-acre retreat, with the home built on piers, is located off Limewood Beach, with accessibility from nearby Stony Creek village or the Branford River State Launch by ferry or private watercraft.
An open concept floor plan provides space for gathering and entertaining, with a great room with vaulted ceilings and a panoramic two-story window wall that frames the blue skies and water vistas outside.
Locally sourced Stony Creek granite sculpts a two-story, floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and the kitchen — with a large butcher block center island — has new appliances and plenty of storage. Outside the home, there are four large decks, which create more than 800 square feet of outdoor living. French doors open out from the dining area with seating for 12.
A raised, private primary master suite features vaulted natural wood ceilings and surrounding windows, with an en suite full bathroom, walk-in closet and sun deck. A separate guest wing features three additional bedrooms, loft area, two additional private decks and a full bathroom with double sinks.
Green Island has an appraised value of $1.1 million and is owned by Green Island LLC, of South Windsor, with its principal listed as Donald J. Vaccaro.
Gray Rock
Another one of the Thimble Islands that hit the market a few months back is E Stooping Bush, also known as Gray Rock Island. The 2,298-square-foot, single-family home is situated on 0.69 acres and was built in 1900. It’s on the market for $2.7 million.
Listed by Joseph Piscitelli of Coldwell Banker Realty, Gray Rock has six bedrooms, 1.5 baths and is situated on the southern fringe of the Thimble Island chain.
The interior has granite stone columns, wood floors and wainscoting. The spacious family room has a granite fireplace and high ceilings, while the eat-in country kitchen has a large pantry. The dining room features another granite fireplace.
The second floor features six bedrooms and 1.5 baths. The upper level is surrounded by a wrap-around deck, with views of the deep-water dock. The property is accessible by boat, water taxi or ferry from Stony Creek village.
Gray Rock Island has an appraised value of $921,600, and is owned by Gretchen H. Kingsley of New Haven, town records show.
