EXTRAORDINARY BEAUTY
Miss Eloise L. (Lawrence) Breese’s (1855-1921) summer cottage in Tuxedo Park face's Tuxedo Lake and is directly across from her bother James Lawrence Breese's large Tudor Style home that fronted the lake , James was a civil engineer who worked for Stanford White, yet his true passion was photography. It is believed James introduced Eloise to the Architectural firm of Mckim, Mead & White to design her summer cottage in 1889 and Mead and Taft constructed it. The 2 1/2 story cottage has an interesting combination of roof styles, including a Queen Anne Tower. The unmarried Eloise-she preferred that the press referred to her as Miss E. L. Breese-inherited her mother's unconventional Independence and was a true socialite that entertained lavishly, often arranging concerts in her Tuxedo Park ballroom. Her fashions of the time were also rather scandalous as she preferred off the shoulder evening gowns with plunging necklines, the french fashion was shocking to most Victorian minds. The wealthy Miss E.L Breese became Baroness Willoughby de Eresby on December 6, 1905. despite her husbands noble standing, she retained the Tuxedo Park Cottage where she continued to summer with family and friends for another decade, with horses having been replaced by motorcars the sound of rubber wheels came to pass in her lifetime.
Capturing the spirit of the grand estates of the turn of the century this classically beautiful mansion completed in 1891 furnishes a splendid oasis from which to enjoy life in Tuxedo Park. Step through the front door and up to the foyer landing graced with a sweeping staircase leading to the second floor, a magnificent fireplace and oversized windows bringing in spectacular light throughout the house, enhanced with all the turn of the century hand carved molding, paneling, fireplace mantels, high ceilings, and beautiful floors in almost every room.
The main floor is distinguished by a beautiful two-storied paneled ball room graced with a carved marble fireplace, a cozy library with a marble fireplace, a large living room/music room, a formal dining room with a stone carved fireplace, an oversized kitchen, and a powder room
The second and third floor feature 9 bedrooms, 6 full bathrooms, and a large walk-in cedar closet.
The lower level is walk-out containing the laundry, half bath, automatic generator and numerous storage rooms including a small wine cellar. The electrical system was updated to circuit breakers and the house has a new cedar roof.
There is a large stone patio leading into the private garden where there is plenty of room for the children to play.
The three car garage is detached next to the house and is also readily accessible from the lower level.