T
his stunning 9,800-square-foot mansion in Bernardsville's horse country has been a New Jersey landmark for over a century. Once the residence of philanthropist and socialite Brooke Astor, it was built in the early 1900s and boasts nine bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and traditional details characteristic of Classic Revival architecture. The exterior features six towering columns supporting a two-story portico, giving the home a stately appearance.

    Astor's connection to the property, known as Denbrooke, dates back to her marriage to New Jersey politician John Dryden Kuser in 1918. However, their union was tumultuous, and Astor later wrote about the emotional and physical abuse she suffered during their time together. The couple divorced in 1930, after which Astor married Vincent Astor, heir to the Astor fortune.

    The mansion's interior reflects its era with a formal dining room, library, sunroom, and intricate plaster moldings. It also features high ceilings, oversized windows, and multiple fireplaces. Outside, mature trees surround the property, along with a perennial garden, circular drive, and large swimming pool covering approximately 6.6 acres.

    Recently listed for $2.95 million by Ashley Christus of Turpin Real Estate, Denbrooke offers its next owner an idyllic New Jersey lifestyle. Astor's life in Bernardsville was marked by turmoil, but it also set her on the path to becoming a respected philanthropist and socialite. After her divorce, she went on to lead the Vincent Astor Foundation, contributing millions to New York's cultural and educational institutions before passing away at 105 in 2007.