MIDDLETOWN – A 16-room historic home in the Village section of Middletown that has been the home of several prominent New Jerseyans is being put on the auction block in October.
Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Co., the prominent national auction house, has scheduled the auction for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the estate, located at 65 Kings Highway. A property preview will be held noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5.
Built in the late 1700s, the six-bedroom, 5,600-square foot home was previously listed for $1.55 million and is guaranteed to sell at auction at or above the minimum bid of $590,000.
The home and surrounding farm was purchased in 1815 by William Murray, the son of Revolutionary patriot Joseph Murray. Renowned international New York City attorney Charles Courdet purchased the home and moved it to its present location away from the road in 1880. It was the childhood home of state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, who currently represents the district.
“Located at the center of the nucleated village plan laid out in 1667, the house is neighbor to other major properties, including Old First Church where the Baptist church in New Jersey was founded in 1684 and the Richard Hartshorne House, the virtual founder of the ancient Middletown settlement,” Middletown historian Randall Gabrielan said.
“When one considers this property this year, especially in the context of other neighbors, it is at the center of New Jersey’s 350th anniversary commemoration,” Gabrielan said.
Situated on a manicured 3-acre property with a long, winding driveway, the graceful country home has been upgraded over the years with additions and improvements.
The home features a wraparound porch, a stately foyer, crown molding, fireplaces and elegant chandeliers in many rooms, and a gourmet country kitchen anchored by a 48-inch Viking range. An attached structure with a separate entrance is zoned for an office for a doctor, lawyer, accountant, architect or other professional use or as a mother/daughter suite.
“One-of-a-kind properties like this were created for an auction,” said Bob Dann, the executive vice president and chief operations officer. “I encourage anyone who is interested in owning a piece of New Jersey and American history to come to one of our property previews.”
Since 1973, the home has been owned by the Kyrillos family, where the popular Dr. Joseph M. Kyrillos, who is now 85 years old, maintained a pediatric office for 25 years until selling his practice in 1998 to a medical group.
“There are so many people from around town who tell me they remember driving up our long driveway with their mom or dad for their appointment with my father,” Sen. Kyrillos said. “In fact, my own children have memories of going to their appointments with their grandfather.”
Dr. and Mrs. Kyrillos, who raised four children in the home, have recently downsized to nearby Red Bank.
“I had my first fundraiser on the wraparound porch,” Sen. Kyrillos said. “It’s a great home for entertaining guests, but after the guests leave, it’s a warm and inviting family home. I’m looking forward to the next family enjoying it the way we have.”
For additional information about the property or for the property information package, attend the auction and bid, or call 888-299-1438.
For more information about this and other Max Spann’s auctions, visit maxspann.com, or follow Max Spann on Facebook/MaxSpann and Twitter/MaxSpann.
