45 Clock Tower Lane in Old Westbury is a historic home built around an original chapel designed by famous architect Stanford White. The home was built on the former estate of E.D. Morgan, a Civil War general and governor of New York. While maintaining the historic integrity of the original chapel and stained glass windows, the home was updated in 1998 with modern amenities. The 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom home features a gourmet kitchen, master suite with fireplace and balcony, 1200 bottle wine cellar, and detached garage capable of charging electric vehicles. The property offers both preserved history and luxurious modern living.

1. November 2015 | 77| 25A www.25Amagazine.com76
In early autumn, while on my way to view a home at 45 Clock Tower Lane
in Old Westbury, I drive through one of the many lovely, tree-engulfed back
roads of Long Island’s exquisite North Shore, and I drink in the beauty of
the journey. My glimpse of the magnificent homes secluded away from
the road and enveloped in the lush, vibrant greenery of manicured lawns,
reminds me of the wealth and richness of our Long Island Gold Coast
communities.
I arrive at my destination and I am impressed. 45 Clock Tower Lane in
Old Westbury is a beautiful property featuring English gardens, rock walls,
a wrap-around terrace made of bluestone, and a putting green on the
back lawn. As I stroll the impeccably landscaped 1.5 acres, I admire the
lovely in-ground Gunite saltwater swimming pool that is encased in a brick
country club deck, and I learn that the pool is heated with green energy
and filtrated with a saline system.
45 Clock Tower Lane in Old Westbury is a residence drenched in history,
yet refined and re-designed with all the modern conveniences for luxurious
living. This property is known as Wheatley Hill, an area once occupied
entirely by the expansive E.D. Morgan estate. E.D. Morgan was the 21st
Governor of New York from 1859 through 1862, and he headed the military
department as major general of volunteers in 1861 during the Civil War. E.D.
Morgan also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee,
from 1856 to 1864, and then again from 1872 to 1876. Truly, E.D. Morgan
was a rock star in his time.
This beautiful residence on Clock Tower Lane is built around the original
chapel that Mr. Morgan built so he could have private church services on
his estate. The chapel is an architectural design by the historically famous
Stanford White, and the house still has the chapel’s original steeple, white
limestone floors, and the original, antique stained glass windows created
by the renowned fine artist, John LaFarge. The stained glass windows
create a beautiful aura of amber afternoon light in the chapel room. In 1998,
architect Alan Cooper designed this home with modern amenities, while
keeping the historical integrity. The home has 5 bedrooms, 4 ½ baths and
the chapel is the centerpiece of the house.
The chapel currently serves as the living room with high cathedral ceilings
and a hand-carved marble fireplace. The choir loft in the chapel above the
living room is used as a fabulous media room. The large center entry-hall
features dark wood floors that continue through most of the first floor of
this home. French doors open to a wrap-around terrace, and an attached
artist’s studio, overlooking the swimming pool. I imagine the studio could
also serve as a cabana.
45 Clock Tower LaneOld Westbury
By Carla Hall D’Ambra The chef’s kitchen is truly impressive with state-of-the-art appliances, a
wonderful butcher block island with seating, windowed cabinets, and a
pantry with a wine refrigerator. There is a lovely sun porch just off the
kitchen that overlooks the putting green and the kitchen has a wonderful
window over the sink that provides beautiful light in this culinary space
that intrinsically flows. I can feel the comfort of this kitchen for laughter and
conversation in communal gatherings. I can envision the ease of movement
in preparation of a feast.
On the second floor, the center hall elegantly overlooks the first floor foyer,
creating space and breath for natural light. The cozy master suite has a
vaulted ceiling with exposed timbers and a tile fireplace with a wood mantle.
Double doors open onto a private balcony with winter water views. There
is also a wall of windows for garden viewing and natural light exposure.
The house sits on the original underground tunnels that were used to pass
from building to building on the expansive historic Morgan estate, and
today, in the basement tunnel, there is a 1200 bottle climate-controlled
brick wine cellar with a terracotta floor and a gorgeous wood door, along
with an acoustically engineered music room, as well as a workout room.
Another point worth noting about 45 Clock Tower Lane is that the detached
two car garage has power lines to charge two electric cars. This modern
amenity was constructed by using a portion of one of the remaining walls
from the original Clock Tower, which once housed the estate’s water supply
till it was destroyed by the 1938 hurricane. It’s a beautiful touch of re-
purposing the history and moving forward in contemporary, modern living.
This artisan home is rich in so many ways. The culture of preserved history
coupled with modern amenities for luxurious comforts, and a respect for
the environment, all nestled in the privacy of Long Island’s Old Westbury is
everything one could wish for in living a beautiful life.
For more information on this
beautiful home, contact Daniel Gale
Sotheby’s International Realty
Fran Covello
Associate Real Estate Broker
Gold Circle of Excellence
516-922-9155
516-359-7779
Marie DeVivo
Real Estate Salesperson
516-660-8371
features
25A