By Patrick O'Shea | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
On Nov. 1, 1921, a burglar broke into Anthony Kuser’s mansion on Mountain Top Road in Bernardsville and chloroformed the multimillionaire and 17 other occupants while they slept.
The thief absconded with 40 pieces of jewelry valued at $20,000.
Among the items taken was the sapphire engagement ring of Kuser’s 17-year-old daughter-in-law, Roberta Brooke Russell— who later became better known as New York socialite Brooke Astor.
The century-old case was never solved.
Today, the Somerset County estate, known as Faircourt, is up for sale for $12 million, listed by Gerry-Jo Cranmer of Turpin Realtors. The property has had numerous owners and undergone extensive changes over the past 101 years, but reminders of its history and that fateful night remain.
“We tried to preserve several ‘nods to the past,’” says the current owner of the 30,000-square-foot, single-family home on 13.4 acres “The famous telephone room and the window the burglar was claimed to come through are both still there.”
The living room features oak paneling and adam style ceilings. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
A dramatic write-up in the New York Times the day following the break-in noted Faircourt’s watchman “says he spent the night awake in a telephone room directly beneath the only window the burglar could have entered to gain admittance to the suite occupied by Colonel and Mrs. Kuser and their 11-year-old daughter Cynthia.”
The newspaper article, headlined “Adroit thief drugs then robs Kusers,” called the incident “a triple mystery.”
“Members of the Kuser household and detectives were asking themselves how the man got into the house, with its 18 tenants; how he chloroformed the dozing family; and how he got away with $20,000 in jewels, leaving no clue beyond the patent evidence of robbery.”
The article concluded by praising the home as “one of the show places of New Jersey.”
The current owner, who asked not to be identified, admits the Tuscan-style villa was far from being a “showplace” when he purchased it in 2002. But, it was on its way to being restored to its former glory.
“The property was being renovated piecemeal and with great love and care by its owners at the time — two very creative people — but they had decided to sell before they had got very far,” he explains.
“The property was in need of considerably more work — and perhaps needed a more complete approach than simple renovation. What it needed was a transformation from an old mansion with all its historical footnotes and complexity, to a modern family home which was unified, effective, warm and ready for contemporary living,” the owner said.
A new kitchen is equipped with Boffi cabinets imported from Italy. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
To accomplish this, the owner hired architect Annabelle Selldorf — fresh from transforming an early 20th century mansion in New York City into the Neue Galerie museum — and interior designer Matthew Frederick to revive the home, which he moved into with his wife and two children after the biotechnology company he founded in Boston relocated to Parsippany.
“Annabelle was the perfect architect for such an ambitious project. ... (She) understood how to lead the transformation, design for the future and deliver a remarkable modern home while honoring its storied past,” says Faircourt’s current owner.
The “for sale” listing for the 7-bedroom, 8.5-bathroom residence cites such added “21st century comforts” as a new kitchen with cabinets imported from Italy, a new gas fireplace and radiant-heated floors. Other design features in the four-level structure include “bronze-accented wrought iron work in the entry opening to a foyer and 60-foot long gallery, a glass-enclosed loggia featuring marble and granite floor, a trophy room centered by a stone fireplace, an oak-paneled library lined in built-in bookcases imported from France (and) a walnut-paneled living room edged in gold leaf-accented moldings.”
“We kept and renovated with help from experts the fixtures, paneling, and other items in the main rooms — carefully hiding air conditioning and electrical installations behind that paneling and creating discrete outlets for forced air, etc.,” the owner adds.
Bronze-accented wrought iron work can be found in the entry opening to a foyer. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
The estate’s grounds sport a heated saltwater pool, putting green, heated parking courtyard, tennis court and an orchard with peach, pear, apple and cherry trees.
According to a “Keepsake Journal” article posted on the Bernardsville Public Library website, the original house on Mountain Top Road was built in 1897 by German immigrants Henry and Mabel Kunhardt, and was situated on more than 250 acres. They sold the residence, then called Blythewood, to Anthony and Susie Dryden Kuser in 1916. (The Kuser family previously lived Newark, then in Hamilton Township in Mercer County, in what today is preserved as the Kuser Farm Mansion museum.)
The Kusers “proceeded to enlarge and alter the house” in Bernardsville, transforming it into “an ornate home” and renaming it Faircourt. “Faircourt was owned by the Kuser family for more than 45 years, and has had only five owners during its 120-year history,” the Keepsake piece states.
Anthony Kuser’s career “would involve interests in a number of decidedly different businesses, as well as government service and support of cultural activities and conservation,” while his wife’s father, John Fairfield Dryden, was founder and longtime president of the Prudential Life Insurance Company and a one-term U.S. senator.
The couple had two children. Their son, John Dryden Kuser, met 16-year-old Brook Astor at his Princeton University senior prom and they married in April 1919. The Keepsake Journal article reports Dryden was “a member of one of the Princeton debating societies, managing editor of the Daily Princetonian, possessor of a sports car, and who, according to Brooke, ‘had the bluest eyes I had ever seen.’”
The newlyweds moved into Faircourt with the elder Kusers — and the notorious late night robbery occurred two years later. (John and Brooke’s marriage didn’t last, “due primarily to Dryden’s violent verbal and physical outbursts, drinking, and extra-marital affairs,” the article said.)
The glass-enclosed loggia features a marble and granite floor. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
The Mountain Top Road property’s current owner points out the daring 1921 burglary isn’t the only notable moment in the home’s history.
“Quite few special events have taken place at Faircourt recently and over its 130-year history,” he says. “During our time it has seen visits from governors and senators, leaders from Washington, Nobel Prize-winning scientists and a long list of leaders from the life sciences and technology industries.
“But it was also an important place for discussions about local politics, fundraising for the Bernardsville library, the meeting for the Bernardsville Girl Scouts, a gymnastics workout place; in other words, a gathering place for our children, their friends and their families, too,” he adds.
Now it’s time to move on, however, so he has placed the home on the market.
“Almost all my business interests have moved from New Jersey to New York City,” he explains. “Our children have grown up and are working elsewhere. It’s a good time to pass this wonderful property to another family who needs it ...”
And a note for any prospective buyer who may have concerns about late night break-ins: The home’s “for sale” listing assures “serving the property is a Savant Smart home automation and security system.”
The ornate staircase leads up to the second level. The home is also served by an elevator. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
The oak-paneled library has built-in bookcases. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
This is one of seven bedrooms in the Faircourt mansion. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
This dining area features a fireplace, chandelier and glass doors to the outside. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
This is one of 8.5 bathrooms at Faircourt.Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
Faircourt is situated on 13.4 acres on Mountain Top Road in Bernardsville. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
The outdoor amenities include a salt-water pool. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
A putting green adds a touch of sport to the pool area. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
This is an aerial view of Faircourt. Courtesy of Turpin Realtors
Are you an agent, buyer or seller who is active in this changing market? Do you have tips about New Jersey’s real estate market? Unusual listings? Let us know.
Patrick O’Shea may be reached at poshea@njadvancemedia.com.