Former Estate Of Sir John And Lady Thouron

Aug. 19, 2008 - PRLog -- Unionville, Pennsylvania — Christie’s Great Estates and Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. announce that they are presenting for sale Doe Run, the former estate Sir John and Lady Esther Thouron in Unionville, Pennsylvania. Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., an exclusive affiliate of Christie’s Great Estates, is offering the property for $15 million. Christie’s Great Estates will provide premier international marketing services.

Encompassing more than 220 beautifully groomed acres, Doe Run is an estate of unmatched refinement and elegance. Built in 1937, this magnificent horse farm boasts a history as distinguished as its dazzling world-famous gardens, which were cultivated by Sir John Thouron himself. This historic estate was home to many successful racehorses and features five residences of varying sizes, including a handsome four-bedroom 18th-Century farmhouse.

Doe Run’s main house enjoys a spectacular front-to-back center hall, formal dining room,
living room, and both a small and a large panelled study. Constructed with unsurpassed quality and Old World detail, this enchanting stone estate features a large terrace patio with a pergola trellis, nine bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and two powder rooms. The extraordinary master suite is resplendent with 18-foot ceilings, custom molding and includes his and her baths, dressing rooms, and sitting rooms— the gentleman’s sitting room features private stairs to the lower-level study. Exquisite details, such as the nine unique and richly detailed fireplaces, set amid the great rooms of the house, evoke the elegant gentility of a bygone era.

“Rich with history and charm, this grand main house features superb architectural details and exquisite finish work,” says Kathleen Coumou, Christie’s Great Estates Vice President for the Northeast Region. “Doe Run is the epitome of gracious country living.”

The grounds at Doe Run enjoy views of Chester County’s rolling hills and feature two ponds,
several streams, and gardens of international renown. A passionate horticulturist, Sir John Thouron developed what were originally open fields and created a series of extraordinary gardens—an Alpine garden, a cottage garden, a water garden, various formal gardens, and extensive herbaceous borders. Supporting these gardens are two large professional greenhouses with extensive orchid assemblage. The estate and gardens have been editorially featured in Architectural Digest and The London Times Sunday Magazine, among others.

“Rarely do estate properties of this significance and history become available, with such a storied equine history and a world-renowned horticultural provenance, surrounded by miles of prominent conserved lands,” said Reggie Hunt, a Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. listing broker.

An hour’s drive from Philadelphia, Doe Run is situated in well-known horse country. This spectacular estate offers world-class equestrian facilities with two separate significant stables with 28 stalls. The extensive amenities also include turnout stables with 12 stalls, and a bank barn for hay and farm vehicles.

Lady Thouron, Esther Driver du Pont Thouron (1908-1984), a member of the famous du Pont family of American industrialists, was a noted horse breeder and philanthropist. Also a renowned philanthropist, her husband Sir John Rupert Hunt Thouron, K.B.E. (1907-2007), was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his dedication to Anglo-American friendship. Doe Run is a testament to their legacy of horses, horticulture, and refined living.

Doe Run -- http://www.christiesgreatestates.com/properties/view_61927/

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About Christie’s Great Estates

Christie’s Great Estates is the largest international network of real estate companies dedicated to the sale and marketing of luxury homes and a subsidiary of Christie’s, the world’s leading art business. Christie’s clients who buy and sell works of art often request real estate services.  To satisfy this demand, Great Estates, founded by Kay Coughlin in 1987, was acquired by Christie’s in 1995.  Today, the Christie’s Great Estates global network spans more than 40 countries with 850 offices and approximately 35,000 brokers. Committed to the auction house’s two-century-old tradition of exceptional customer service and expertise in high-value marketing, the network achieved total combined sales in excess of $125 billion.

Admittance to the Christie’s Great Estates network is offered by invitation only to those real estate companies with proven records of success in high-value home sales and who exemplify Christie’s traditional value of service. Once awarded affiliate status, brokers may then display the coveted Christie’s brand and use the proprietary marketing services of Christie’s Great Estates, which has successfully marketed high-value real estate around the globe for more than 20 years. Exceptionally skilled local real estate specialists, a client-focused approach, and strategic global marketing to a qualified audience of proven luxury consumers are the hallmarks of Christie’s Great Estates.

About Long & Foster Real Estate Inc.

Founded in 1968, Long & Foster has grown from a single, 600-square-foot office in Fairfax, Virginia, to the largest privately owned real estate company in America.  Long & Foster began with Wes Foster handling the residential real estate arm of the business and Henry Long handling commercial.

Today Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. has offices and associates in  Virginia; Maryland;
Washington D.C.; Pennsylvania; New Jersey; West Virginia; Delaware; and North Carolina.
The company is built upon a solid foundation of enduring values, integrity and innovation,
honesty and good old-fashioned customer service, a reputation for hard work and fairness, a
dominant market share and solid branding, as well as and their steadfast support of—and respect for—their hardworking, highly-professional agents and employees.

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Christie’s Great Estates is the largest international network of real estate companies dedicated to the sale and marketing of luxury homes and a subsidiary of Christie’s, the world’s leading art business.