A Once-in-a-Lifetime Catskill Estate That Redefines Rustic Luxury
If you’re someone who believes that the best homes are the ones that feel like they belong to the land, organic, intentional, and extraordinary, then let us introduce you to Birchwood Estate in Hunter, New York. Priced at $9,950,000, this 6-bedroom, 5-bathroom, 8,600-square-foot retreat sits on 78 private acres and is one of the most striking examples of mountain architecture in the Northeast. It’s not just a home, it’s a statement.
Tucked deep into the heart of the Catskills, the property offers dramatic views of five iconic peaks, Indian Head, Sugarloaf, Twin, Plateau, and Hunter Mountains. It’s less than two hours from New York City, but it feels worlds away.
A Home That Brings the Outdoors In…And Then Some
From the moment you arrive at Birchwood, it’s obvious that this estate wasn’t just built, it was crafted. Every beam, every window, and every piece of hardware was chosen with purpose, creating an atmosphere where architecture and nature exist in harmony.
The main residence, originally an 18th-century Canadian barn, was painstakingly deconstructed and rebuilt beam-by-beam. The result is a structure that feels both rooted in history and refreshingly modern. Vaulted ceilings soar to 25 feet, wrapped in warm mushroom wood that glows under soft mountain light. Reclaimed wide-plank floors give the space an aged richness, while floor-to-ceiling glass doors blur the lines between indoors and out.
You’re not just looking at the mountains, you’re in them. You can hear the rapids of the Schoharie Creek, see the peaks shift colors with the seasons, and watch wildlife from nearly every room.
Materials That Tell a Story
Inside the home, you’ll find no cookie-cutter finishes. Instead, the design choices here celebrate authenticity and texture. The plaster walls were hand-applied by an artist who once worked with Jean-Michel Basquiat, adding a layer of unexpected artistry to the space. The hardware is hand-forged, the kind of detail you don’t see in standard builds.
This is the kind of place that makes you slow down, not because it demands your attention, but because you want to savor every detail.
Five Structures, Endless Wonder
Birchwood isn’t just a single house. It’s an estate with five distinct buildings, each thoughtfully positioned to make the most of the land.
- The main house sits on a gentle knoll with commanding mountain views and expansive indoor-outdoor living.
- A Japanese tea house, crafted from cherry and mahogany, is cantilevered over the creek. Slide open the glass walls and you’re suspended in the middle of a rushing mountain stream with views of Plateau Mountain ahead.
- A tower hideaway with an observation deck gives you 20-mile panoramic views across the Catskills.
- A charming guest house and two guest suites welcome visitors with luxury and privacy.
- There’s even a horse barn fitted with solar panels, a nod to sustainability without sacrificing style.
It’s rare to find an estate with this much land, this much design intention, and this much soul.
Nature at Your Front Door
The outdoor experience here is just as stunning as the architecture. Nearly a mile of private Schoharie Creek frontage winds through the property, including ¾-mile of trout-rich, fast-moving rapids. You’ll also find birch groves, wildflower meadows, a 12-foot-deep swimming pond, and even a yoga pavilion overlooking a 20-foot waterfall.
Imagine waking up, walking barefoot through the trees to your glass-walled yoga deck, the sound of water crashing below you. Or sipping coffee from your cantilevered tea house as the sun rises behind a Catskill ridge. This is slow living at its highest level.
A Dream for Entertaining and Escaping
This home walks the line between cozy family retreat and show-stopping entertaining hub. The open layout, vast windows, and curated materials make it ideal for hosting, while the layout across multiple structures gives you the flexibility to retreat and recharge.
Need space for guests? You’ve got it. Want a place to write your novel? There’s a view for that. Looking to start an event space, wellness retreat, or creative business? This property gives you both the setting and the infrastructure.
And for those who want to be off-grid adjacent, Birchwood already has solar and self-sustaining features like a greenhouse-topped vegetable garden with self-watering systems and hinged raised beds.
Smart Luxury Without the Flash
What makes Birchwood special isn’t just the size or the price tag, it’s the restraint. Instead of over-the-top finishes or gimmicky smart home tech, this estate leans into quiet luxury.
Think: massive stone fireplaces, radiant heat beneath reclaimed floors, hand-crafted cabinetry, and materials with a story. It’s what luxury should be, smart, soulful, and built to last.
Location, Location…and Solitude
Despite its private, secluded setting, Birchwood is minutes from Hunter Mountain’s world-class skiing, as well as the charming towns of Woodstock and Saugerties. Whether you’re an avid skier, a gallery-goer, or a farm-to-table foodie, you’re surrounded by possibilities.
But when you’re on the property, you’d never know civilization is so close. You’re wrapped in forest and sound, surrounded by mountain air and nothing else. This is true mountain living, without the compromises.
Who Is This Property For?
This isn’t a starter home. Birchwood is for someone who values nature and design equally. It’s for someone looking for a legacy property, a place to pass down or steward with care. It could be a private family compound, a boutique retreat, an artist’s sanctuary, or the most breathtaking home office you’ve ever seen.
If you’re seeking something ordinary, this isn’t it.
The Details That Matter
- 📍 Address: 11 Birchwood Trail, Hunter, NY 12442
- 💰 Price: $9,950,000
- 🛏️ Bedrooms: 6
- 🛁 Bathrooms: 5
- 📐 Square Feet: 8,600
- 🌲 Lot Size: 78 acres (!!)
- 🌊 Creek Frontage: Close to 1 mile of Schoharie Creek
- 🏠 Structures: 5 including main house, tea house, barn, guest quarters, and tower
- 🔥 Features: Reclaimed barn wood construction, solar panels, custom finishes, wraparound views, swimming pond, waterfall, yoga pavilion
- 🧘♀️ Wellness spaces: Yoga deck, creekside tea house
- 🌿 Sustainable features: Solar power, self-watering garden systems
- 🐟 Recreation: Fishing, hiking, swimming, skiing nearby
Final Thoughts: A Home Like No Other
There are houses, there are retreats, and then there’s Birchwood Estate. It’s a place where the indoors become the outdoors, where every room feels like it was carved out of the landscape itself. It’s rare to find a property with this level of soul, where the craftsmanship, the setting, and the architecture are all in perfect alignment.
At just under $10 million, this home is for the discerning buyer who sees real estate not just as investment, but as legacy. Birchwood is an heirloom, a work of art, and a love letter to the Catskills.
📎 Listing Info & Credit
Listed by: Philippe Uhrik, Win Morrison Realty – Catskill
🔗 View the Full Listing: 11 Birchwood Trail, Hunter, NY 12442
📸 All photos credited to the original listing agent or platform. Shared for editorial and appreciation purposes only. If you’re the homeowner or photographer and would like your listing removed or credited differently, please contact me.
Disclaimer
Hidden Holms is not affiliated with any real estate agency and does not own or list any properties. We simply spotlight homes that inspire us. Property details are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change. Please contact the listing agent directly for updates.
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