Westport’s Frazier Peters vs. McMansions

By Ed Kiersh

There were nine teardown applications approved in Westport during the last 12 days. That statistic, coupled with the virtually inevitable consequence these sites will become cookie cutter McMansions, alarms many traditionalists.
The Charcoal Hill home of architect Frazier Peters is for sale for $3.19 million. Contributed photo

It has also sparked a controversy among real estate agents grappling with Westport’s well-stocked inventory of 57 active listings in the $3 million price range and 337 houses overall.

What sells better in the current market: old or new construction?

“Young professional families moving to Westport typically prefer new, spacious homes with centralized living spaces,” said Prudential agent Darcy Sledge. “Most people go for traditional colonials with central gathering places and consolidated bedrooms.”

But history still resonates in our midst—particularly in the hands of self-taught, 1930s architect Frazier Peters who settled in Westport because of his love for small brooks, wetlands, natural fieldstone and the town’s relaxed lifestyle.

Peters built several homes in Westport during the Depression era, and curiously, five of these time capsules that are distinguished by multi-levels, a separate wing for children’s bedrooms, and an extensive interior use of fieldstone, are now for sale.

“Not afraid to locate his homes alongside brooks, to incorporate several step downs to give rooms their own identities, and to separate the children’s quarters in their own wings of the house, these Peters’ homes are loaded with charm,” said Sledge.

“In his book ‘Houses of Stone,’ Peters said he hoped to convey ‘a feeling of individual effort rather than mass accomplishment.’ That’s certainly dramatized by his fieldstone walls which were set by master craftsmen. But even if these Westport homes have spirit, the character of small rooms doesn’t always outsell big family spaces.”

Prime examples of Peters’ historically-celebrated work are at 40 Valley Road, a nine-room “Maison de la Normandie” listed at $1.269 million, an equally spacious “mini-estate at 2 Twin Oaks priced at $1.295 million, and Peters’ own home at 30 Charcoal Hill Road.

A stunningly landscaped manse with swimming pool, tennis court, multiple patios, and six bedrooms, it’s listed at $3.19 million.

But in today’s questionable housing market, history typically brings marked down prices. Each of Peters’ creations have sat on inventory lists (the Twin Oaks house off and on since 2005, and his former estate since January), and that’s meant price reductions from the original listings.

30 Charcoal Hill was initially $3.485 million and 2 Twin Oaks was $1.69 million.

“It’s hard to find the right buyer,” said Jill Bregy, the Prudential agent with the Peters’ home listing. “At the $3 million level the only thing moving right now is new construction. That’s the challenge in the market. New construction has its own advantages, and that can be very attractive to some buyers.”

“2007 houses have similar characteristics, and lack the enchanting distinctiveness of antique homes. Especially now that some sections of real estate market sales have dropped.”

Sledge is not that pessimistic. She said she feels the market is showing increasing signs of buoyancy, adding, “Everything eventually sells, even if it might take a little longer to sell a bit of history. The Peters will sell, and the buyers will get a lot of charm.”