Christie Brinkley has spent more than two decades transforming her Bridgehampton estate into a private retreat that combines historic architecture with gardens, open grounds and unique features. Known as Tower Hill Estate, the property covers more than 20 acres and includes bedrooms, bathrooms across its main house and other buildings. Realtor reported that Brinkley gave real estate influencer Caleb Simpson a rare tour of the property, showing the spaces and outdoor areas that have made the estate one of the Hamptons’ distinctive homes.
Christie Brinkley’s 20-acre Hamptons estate looks like a castle
The property’s castle-like appearance comes largely from its distinctive turret, which rises from the centre of the main residence. During the tour covered by Realtor, Simpson pointed out how the tower gives the house its castle appearance, while Brinkley herself described it more modestly as a little storybook house.Tower Hill Estate dates back to 1891, when it was built by local resident Dr John Gardiner. Brinkley bought the property in 1998, more than a century after it was constructed. Realtor noted that the house has since been restored with meticulous care, preserving its historic character while allowing it to function as a family home.The estate is spread across three parcels and contains considerably more than the main residence. The compound includes a 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom main house, a 4-bedroom guesthouse with two and a half bathrooms, a barn and art studio with living quarters, a four-car heated garage and a 50-foot observation deck.
At the time, she owned two homes in the Hamptons and she put both on the market at the same time. Image Credit: Realtor
What makes the grounds different from a typical Hamptons estate
Brinkley has given the land as much attention as the buildings. Realtor reported that she raises chickens on the property and is in the process of rewilding the grounds so that more flowers can grow across the estate.That approach is visible around the house, where the lawns and gardens form a major part of the setting. The original property listing described the grounds as park-like, with old specimen trees, winding walking paths and hills used for winter sledding. A private pond also forms part of the landscape, adding another natural feature to the expansive property.The estate also has a greenhouse with its own fireplace. During the tour, Brinkley showed the greenhouse and areas around the pool, where flower-filled planters add colour to the surroundings. She explained that the yard becomes filled with flowers in spring as the rewilding work continues.
The spread includes a guesthouse, art studio, greenhouse, and tower. Image Credit: Realtor
Why the estate feels like more than a historic house
The property combines its old-world appearance with spaces designed for everyday family life. Inside, Realtor described soaring ceilings, large windows and plenty of natural light. The home includes an oversized country kitchen, a double-height great room, living and family rooms, three fireplaces, a gym and an office.A wisteria-covered pergola and multilevel stone terraces extend the living areas outdoors. There is also a heated pool with a spa, while the hidden tennis court gives the large estate another private recreational space.The interiors are not presented as a formal museum-like setting. Instead, Brinkley has filled the house with personal possessions and playful decorative touches. The dining room, for example, has a large round table, built-in storage, a bay window, chandeliers and paper lanterns, along with a neon dining room sign.
How has Brinkley made the house feel personal
The tour also revealed several objects that reflect Brinkley’s personal connection with the property. Realtor reported that she showed a Broadway playbill that she considers her favourite cover she has ever done. She also pointed out a 270-year-old bonsai tree, joking about its age during the tour.The home has also been used for family gatherings. Brinkley showed the area where the family eats Thanksgiving dinner, giving the enormous property a more lived-in character despite its scale.The main residence is not the only place where the estate’s personality appears. The chickens that Brinkley keeps on the grounds have individual names, including Scrambled, Sunnyside Up and Benedict, adding an unexpectedly domestic touch to the sprawling property.
What happened when Brinkley put the estate on the market
Brinkley has not always planned to remain at Tower Hill Estate. After owning the Bridgehampton property for about 20 years, she listed it in 2016 for $29.5 million. Realtor reported that she also put her Sag Harbor home on the market at the same time.The listings were part of an experiment. Brinkley planned to continue living in whichever of the two properties did not sell. Her Sag Harbor residence eventually found a buyer in February 2019, selling for just under its discounted $17.5 million asking price.That left Tower Hill Estate as her remaining Hamptons home. By the time of the Realtor report, Brinkley had lived there for 24 years and described it as the longest she had lived anywhere in her life.The observation tower provides perhaps the clearest reason the property has acquired its castle-like reputation. Rising above the main house, the turret offers wide views of the surrounding area and provides a final stop on Brinkley’s tour. The original listing also highlighted views extending towards the Atlantic Ocean and Connecticut Shore.
